Dan Townsend on Italia 90, Johan Cruyff and Archie Gemmill in his World Cup Memories

By Richard Siddle

Published: 02 July, 2014

Can this World Cup get any better? As the highlights from Brazil 2014 stack up we ask people in the trade to look back on their favourite World Cup memories over the years.If you would like to take part simply answer the questions below and send to richard.siddle@wrbm.com.

Here Dan Towsend, general manager UK,Ireland and Western Europe of Treasury Wine Estates, shares his World Cup memories:

Gascoigne and Waddle Gascoigne and WaddlePaul Gascoigne and Chirs Waddle wave goodbye to the England fans at the 1990 World Cup, but the memories live on today

Favourite World Cup and why?

Italia 90- a magical five weeks. It had everything and England were there until the end. I can remember where I was for every game. I've always believed that one day, we will win the World Cup, however, I'm beginning to think now that 1990 was as good as its ever going to get (that is until the next time...). Reminds me, I haven't watched "An evening with Gary Lineker" for years. It captures the mood of the tournament perfectly.

Best overall World Cup game and why?

It has to be England vs Cameroon in 1990. It was a quarter final and we won 3-2, after a see-saw battle. It meant a semi final against Germany beckoned and I remember the mood of optimism everywhere in the days between the two games. We were going to win it!

Greatest World Cup goal?

For context, it had to be Archie Gemmill waltzing round the dutch defence in Argentina to score and put Scotland 3-1 up against Holland and tantalisingly close to qualifying from their group. It was the 1978 World Cup and the days when England didn't qualify for World Cup finals, so my mates and I all became very Scottish in the 70s. Of course it couldn't last and the Dutch came back and scored about five minutes later - but for those glorious few minutes the dream was on.

Johan Cruyff Johan CruyffTry as he might, but Dan Townsend could never quite replicate the famous Johan Cruyff, his favourite all time World Cup player

Favourite all time player in the World Cup and why?

Johan Cruyff- if you've ever wondered why its called the beautiful game, just watch an old recording of Cruyff in his prime. It's how football should be played. I spent many hours as a kid trying to replicate the "Cruyff turn". unfortunately I was more of a Carlton Palmer type player, and I don't remember ever seeing Carlton Palmer ever doing a Cruyff turn.

Try as he might, but Dan Townsend could never quite replicate the famous Johan Cruyff, his favourite all time World Cup player

Earliest World Cup memory?

The 1974 Finals. I was transfixed by it as a 10 year old, and must have watched almost every game even though England didn't even qualify. Cruyff, Neeskins, Paul Breitners big hair, West Germany playing East Germany, Jack Taylor, and the crazy defender from Zaire who hoofed the ball away when the Brazilians were dilly dallying over a free kick. Oh, of course, at the end of it all the Germans won.

Best all time English World Cup player?

Stuart Pearce-"Psycho". So he missed a mildly crucial penalty once? Wasn't it worth it just to see him score next time around six years later at the Euros and Wembley went beserk? Still get goosebumps.

Worst all time English World Cup player?.

All the ones that have caused years of pain, misery and disappointment to millions either by being sent off at a critical stage, or who "volunteered" to take the first penalty of their careers in a world cup shoot out - and then missed. Maybe I should start following darts more. We seem to be quite good at that, and no penalty shoot outs

Ideal wine or spirit/cocktail to drink whilst watching World Cup Final?

On a warm Sunday evening in july, chilled Wolf Blass Silver label Chard.

Any personal funny World Cup related story you would like to share?

Just an abiding memory of how little sleep the human body can cope with for a month when it has to. The 1986 World Cup was on when I was backpacking in Australia. I was working in Melbourne at the time, living in a youth hotel with a bunch of other like minded travellers and all the games were on in the middle of the night. Trying to combine working during the day, a nocturnal World Cup as well as fully embracing the Melbourne night life meant the whole month passed in a bit of a daze. Where were Red Bull and Pro Plus when I needed them then?