Three Lions, Two Realms
England’s Team and Its Political Legacy
Since England’s legendary victory at the 1966 FIFA World Cup, the nation’s football team has both delighted and disappointed a passionate fanbase hungry for glory. *Sixty Years of Hurt: England and the England Football Team* by Jonny Brick charts every twist and turn of the England men’s football team from that historic afternoon at Wembley through to the present day, uncovering how the game’s successes and failures have mirrored the country’s changing politics and society. Drawing on meticulous research from player memoirs, exclusive interviews, and political records, this compelling book reveals how the story of English football is inseparable from the broader tale of modern Britain. The spectre of 1966 hovers over each generation, shaping expectations not just on the pitch but throughout the nation’s cultural and political fabric.
Brick explores pivotal moments where football and British politics collide, analysing the impact of legendary figures such as Sir Geoff Hurst—including his hat-trick heroics in ’66—the managerial tenure of icons like Gareth Southgate, and the resurgence of hope with modern stars like Harry Kane. The narrative dives into the parallel stories of post-war Britain: the rise and fall of national confidence, debates within Parliament, the evolution of football governance, and the ongoing struggle with hooliganism and its far-reaching implications. In this way, *Sixty Years of Hurt* is both sporting chronicle and social commentary—a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of the ties between England’s team and the country’s political heartbeat.
Importantly, Jonny Brick positions football not only as a national obsession but as a cultural touchstone, wrapped up in the fate of governments and the spirit of the people. He shows how moments on the pitch have led to heated debates in the Commons, informed public policies, and even altered the direction of national mood. From John Major’s premiership to David Cameron’s public gaffes, and from the economic headwinds of the 70s to Brexit-era anxieties, the England team becomes a lens to view five decades of change, disappointment, hope, and redemption.
*Sixty Years of Hurt* doesn’t stop at the men’s team, either. The book also tracks the extraordinary progress of the England women’s and girls’ football programmes, as well as the rise of the Premier League and the transformation of the grassroots and academy systems. This definitive account is the essential guide for anyone who wants to understand why the Three Lions have come to symbolise not just sporting pride, but the ever-shifting story of England itself.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
Published: Febuary 9, 2026
Price: £14.99
paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1836802556
Dimensions: 198 x 129 (mm)
