After a decade in the World Cup shade England were finally back on finals duty in 1982 Spain. Ron Greenwood's team qualified from group 4 in second place. A tough group with Hungary, Romania, Switzerland and Norway. There was an embarrassing two-one reverse against then minnows Norway but qualification was secured on 18th November 1981 with a tough one nil win over Hungary @ Wembley.

Espana 82 was a 24 team extravaganza of football full of entertainment and goals. It was very exciting to watch.

England were drawn into group 4 with France, Czechoslovakia and Kuwait based on Bilbao. We started like a steam train beating France three - one (Brian Robson scoring after 23 seconds). We then strolled past the Czech's two-nil and then battled to the one-nil (Trevor Francis) win over Kuwait to finish top of the group.

That put us in group B with West Germany and Italy for round 2. First up, a nil-nil battle against Germany.

Going into the last match England knew they needed goals against Italy to go through but again the match ended goalless which sent us crashing out of the competition.

That was the year we never lost a match but still went out.

Italy went on to beat West Germany in the final with Paulo Rossi famously picking up the golden boot award.

My fondest memory of 82 was watching that thrilling semi final when after three-three aet West Germany beat France on pens. It was a stunning match and who can forget the moment when the German goalkeeper flattened French striker Battiston and got 'away' with it.

Moving on to Mexico 1986, England surged through qualifying group 3 without losing a match. They even put eight past Turkey in Istanbul ( A feat never to be repeated) Managed by Bobby Robson and with powerful players such as Robson, Lineker, Butcher, Waddle,Hoddle, Beardsley, Hateley and Shilton the country was confident, I was confident.

Drawn into group F in Monterrey with Poland,Portugal and Morocco things started badly with a one nil loss against Portugal. Ensue media scrutiny back at base camp and a few long faces. It got worse with a nil-nil against Morocco. (Where was the attacking flair ?) A wonderful Gary Lineker hat trick against Poland saw us gleefully and jubilantly scrape into round 2.

A Lineker brace and one from Beardsley saw us over power Paraguay and sent us into the quarter finals against Argentina in Mexico City on 22nd June.

I remember the moment with clarity as do millions around the country. Nil-nil with 51 mins gone, 115,000 fans in the stadium. Ball goes into the England box, hand goes up, ball ends up in net, goal stands !

Maradona's 'hand of god'

Minutes later he was weaving his magic to scored a wonder goal.

In 5 heart breaking minutes our chances were gone.

Argentina went on to win the final.

Lets hope all the bad luck has gone and come June 2010 England can look forward to smooth passage to the Final.