NO wonder the spirit of volunteerism is dead.

ANY loosed-tongued World Cup commentator tempted to describe an own goal as “a tragedy” would do well to note that yesterday, July 2, marked the 16th anniversary of the murder of Andres Escobar, the Colombian player whose final major act for his country had been to put through his own goal in a game against the host nation at USA ‘94.

Twelve months ago a mere telephone call from Manchester United was cause for celebration in the Tim Howard household – tomorrow he will walk away from the Millennium Stadium in bitter disappointment if he fails to become the first American to win the FA Cup.

Teddy Sheringham’s final game for Spurs ended early and ended in defeat.

Paul Gascoigne is set for a move to Major League Soccer in America after lining up a trip to Washington.