When i was back in Brum two years ago i was dismayed to see the changes to Perry Barr Park, the area that we used for Suday festival league matches and school football let alone our street get togethers has been taken up by a not vey attractive stadium, things change i know but the big open space has gone forever.
Down here we have the opposite problem, everything revolves around sport and gambling, the A.I.S is very well funded, at a local level you can pick a sport and find a find a club close to home that is very cheap to join. Private schools have a clear advantage over public schools with regard to financing and facilities much to the detriment of public schools.
I really don't care much about the England team anymore the emotion has disappeared, wish i could say the same about Villa.