These words at the end of a famous World Cup victory by England in 1966 have become part of sporting folklore.
I heard them vividly myself in a very unusual environment, sitting on the sands of Montego Bay in Jamaica in the midst of a Convention ministry and rejoicing at England's victory on that epic day. No doubt many will be hoping for a similar end to the 1998 World Cup in France. But how can a Christian minister allow himself to be caught up in soccer fever?
Undoubtedly the most memorable football pitch moment for myself was in 1985 at my rival Sheffield football ground, Bramall Lane, when Billy Graham visited us and thousands of people came to faith. Some months later I was privileged to be a guest speaker at a Football Association celebration in Sheffield. The local Secretary, a Christian, wanted me to make some impact for the gospel and I was able, alongside my footballing memories, to point out that a soccer pitch could have no better use than being the place where people came to faith. I had a similar privilege of writing a page in the Christmas edition of the Sheffield Wednesday programme. In it, I was able to point out that my zeal for my favourite team's ongoing progress paled by comparison with my desire to see people find a living faith in Jesus. One of the values of a sporting interest is that it gives a way into many people's lives. As a local pastor, this has been a tremendous value over the years.
