Iguana - 11:10 pm on Jun 16, 2006 (gmt 0)

Grassroots has made a brilliant post crystalising how important football can be. I was exiled from my home town at the age of four weeks. But still I support that team. It's just natural. A boy and his father often do this together - it's part of growing up and male bonding.

Some of the happiest moments of my life have been watching my team. Internationals, for me, are more difficult because no players from my team play for England and I am not patriotic by nature (even if I believe on balance that this is a good country). But when the World Cup comes along I get to see so many brilliant football skills and underdog nations fighting above their weight. It's great theatre.