Inside Track: Blue jerseys brought England no luck
Inside Track with Joe Carroll
Whatever colour of jerseys England play in their remaining World Cup matches it won’t be blue. White most likely, with the possibility of red, which they have already worn in this tournament, and in the 1966 final.
The Three Lions crest once featured on a blue jersey. The game, however, is not one that’s fondly remembered. It was in the 1950 World Cup finals, and though playing the host country, USA, quoted at 500/1 to win the match, England fell to a 1-0 defeat.
The decision was taken there and then to never again wear blue.
England hadn’t played in the previous three World Cups, but despite that, were among the favourites to win the tournament.
They had won their first group game, beating Chile 2-0, and with some of the great names in English football, Billy Wright, Tom Finney, Stan Mortensen, Wilf Mannion and Alf Ramsey, included, their next game with America was seen as nothing more than a training session.
It didn’t turn out like that. One of many semi-professionals in the side, Joe Gaetjens headed home in the 38th minute to give USA a shock lead.
That’s how it remained. USA had the answer to everything England hit them with after that, engineering one of the great World Cup shocks. It got worse for England.
They were beaten by Spain next time out, and after that were on the way home, their blue jerseys packed away, never again to see the light of day.
Scotland-born Ed McElvenny captained the USA team and must have impressed Matt Busby. Soon afterwards, the Man United signed his fellow countryman, bringing him to Old Trafford.
McElvenny got just two games with United, however. He then came to this country to play League of Ireland football with Waterford. After making his debut, in 1953, he spent four seasons at Kilcohan Park, lining out at Oriel Park on a number of occasions.