World Cup memories from Nik Darlington, Robin Copestick and Rachel Davey

By Richard Siddle

Published: 04 July, 2014

England may have nothing but disappointment to bring home from Brazil, but here we turn to some friends in the trade to remind us of past glories and happy memories from World Cups gone by. If you would like to share your World Cup memories then send to richard.siddle@wrbm.com.

Nik Darlington, Red Squirrel Wine

Favourite World Cup? South Africa, 2010. I have wonderful memories from working and living there, and it was inspiring to see an African nation put on such an enjoyable tournament.

Best overall World Cup game? Ghana marmalising Uruguay in South Africa in 2010, only to be denied at the death by a cheating Luis Suárez. So best and worst all in one.

Michael Owen Michael OwenMichael Owen launces himself on the global football scene with this dream goal against Argentina in the 1988 World Cup

Greatest World Cup goal? Michael Owen's against Argentina.

Favourite all-time player in the World Cup? Davor ?uker for all those goals for Croatia in 1998, and how every time he reacted like an eight-year-old boy scoring a goal in a World Cup final.

Earliest World Cup memory? The Moldova qualifying match when David Beckham made his debut. Best all-time English World Cup player? Frank Lampard.

Worst all-time English World Cup player? Danny Mills.

Ideal drink while watching World Cup final? English sparkling wine. It's the only way England will be involved.

Robin Copestick, Copestick Murray

Favourite World Cup? It has to be Italy, 1990. England played with style and commitment and should have won in the semi-final. Who knows what might have happened in the past 24 years if we had won that game and that World Cup?

Bobby Moore and the World Cup Bobby Moore and the World CupWill we ever see the like again? England win the World Cup

Best overall World Cup game? England v Germany, World Cup final, 1966. I was too young to remember it, but I have watched the game about 20 times on television. I really hope we can experience that joy again.

Greatest World Cup goal? Geoff Hurst's winning goal in 1966.

Will we ever see the like again? England win the World Cup

Favourite all-time player in the World Cup? Gordon Banks. Firstly because he played for Stoke. Secondly he won a World Cup winner's medal. Thirdly because he is the greatest goalkeeper ever. Finally because he made the greatest save against the greatest ever player, Pelé, at the World Cup in Mexico in 1970.

Earliest World Cup memory? Mexico, 1970. Gordon Banks and Bobby Moore were amazing. I was convinced we only lost the quarter-final because Gordon Banks got food poisoning and Peter Bonetti stepped in and let in three goals.

Best all-time English World Cup player? I would like to say Gordon Banks but probably Bobby Moore.

Worst all-time English World Cup player? Gary Cahill. The most overrated defender in history.

Rachel Davey, Proven Communication

Favourite World Cup? Italy, 1990, because back in the day Gazza was quality.

Best World Cup game? Holland beating Spain 5-1 in 2014 World Cup and Van Persie's goal because it was one of the first games this year and just got everyone going.

Dennis Bergkamp Dennis BergkampOne, two, three touches and a wonder goal for Denis Bergkamp vs Argentina in extra time of the 1998 World Cup

Greatest World Cup goal? Dennis Bergkamp's goal against Argentina in 1988.

Favourite all-time player? Pelé - he scored great goals for a team that played flowing football.

Earliest World Cup memory? David Platt scoring against Belgium in the last minute of extra time in 1990.

Best all-time English player? Bobby Moore.

Ideal drink for watching the World Cup? If the weather stays like this a refreshing Moitjo or nice large glass of Albariño.

A personal funny World Cup story: Walking up Park street in Bristol. Three girls in England shirts with hotpants on and covered in face paint singing,"He's big, he's red, his feet stick out the bed. He's Peter Crouch!"