Yesterday I had the great pleasure of hanging out with some of the most knowledgeable England fans around, I did so at Kelly's Pub in Pointe-Claire. I can guarantee you that you will not find a better spot in Montreal for an England Fan to be. Of course, let us keep in mind that this game was only an exhibition, albeit an important one. Thus, there was only a small fraction of the crowd on hand compared to when the World Cup will kick off for England on June 12th, 2010 vs USA.
The crowd that did show however, are undoubtedly the most dedicated and loyal fans of England. You see, England Super Fans have the obligation of watching ALL ENGLAND GAMES, even ones where the starting 11 are young lads just looking to impress the coach to gain A team status.
These games are in fact the experimentation part of the game. Sort of like a laboratory, searching for the right formula, the chemistry if you will, that will best suit England. IE: the combination of players that allow the least goals against, and score the most goals for, sounds pretty simple doesn't it? Well, truth be told, despite England's' abundance of talent, Fabio Capello the Coach for England this time around, has still not clearly indicated his starting 11 for the opening match vs. USA. Being the eternal optimist that I am, I believe he may be doing so in order to cloud the minds of the opposition. Who will start, who will be on the left, the right, how can one prepare against what one does not know for sure???
It makes it harder for the opposition to perform against a team that has not been clearly indicated well in advance. The trouble with this potential tactic, is that the team itself is not able to fully become a unit, or to develop the needed chemistry that wins tournaments like this. The reason for several key players absence was logical enough, many of the players were from Chelsea and Portsmouth who had just played in the FA Cup Final last weekend, and were given a well needed rest.
The line up was lacking the likes of John Terry, a defensive wall of determination, grit and concentration, surely Terry will make a huge difference on the defensive game of England. Also lacking were Terry's Chelsea team mates, Joe Cole, and Frank Lampard, who add an extra touch in the already dynamic and threatening midfield. Steven Gerrard of Liverpool looked concentrated yet lacked the final touch in getting the ball to his team mate Wayne Rooney.
Rooney who has been recovering from a spate of injuries that slowed down his scoring rampage this season in the Premier League, looked quiet by his own standards, but clearly competitive and ready to go for the World Cup. With a more talented mid-field to come onto the pitch during the World Cup, Rooney will most probably begin to fire on all cylinders.
Peter Crouch, the always enigmatic 6 foot 7 inches of goal scoring height, managed to use his physical frame to his advantage once again, knocking in a header on the line. The goal could have clearly been called offside, or even potentially a hand ball, was awkward yet still a goal.
Something that Crouchy tends to do is knock them in in a variety of ways. Whether they are so called "ugly" goals or not, they are goals all the same. England needs goals, and with Rooney partnering up with crouch, they seem to have a special hypnotic effect on the opposition. One stuns the opposition with dedication, commitment, speed, and determination, the other towers above the defenders awaiting that perfect cross to glance towards the net. So far so good for England despite the missing Chelsea players.
England are doing OK for the moment, but as a true England Super Fan, I along with the other England fans expect a little bit more composure and control of the game. Imposing the England will on the opposition is a must, particularly because ALL the teams at the World Cup have the ability to upset the likes of England. The talent that will be on display at the World Cup will bring new heroes, let us just hope that Wayne Rooney and the England Squad can bring it home this time. It's been a while, and we are tired of waiting.
While I was at Kelly's Pub I had the great pleasure of chatting with the owner, Allen Fox. Originally from Watford England, a dedicated Liverpool and England Fan Mr. Fox runs a truly British establishment. "When you walk into Kelly's pub you feel like you are back in the UK," exclaims one patron, while sipping on his Bodington's pint. Mr.Fox has made all feel welcome in this very friendly pub. Scots, Irish, English and Welsh all feel quite at home at Kelly's, with a variety of Imported Draft Beer from the UK flowing at all times. You can find Guinness, Kilkenny, Bass, Bodingtons, Stella Artois, along with a great variety of other local brews as well.
Great pub food is also available at a good price. Considering the timing of most of the European games, leaving many matches to be watched at the early hours of the morning, Breakfast here is a must. Full English breakfast, Eggs, Home Fries, Bacon, Sausages, Beans, and a lovely cup of coffee are always on hand in the mornings and are a great way of starting the day and enjoying a football match in the most British setting available.
Kelly's is also home to a variety of fan clubs, including the Liverpool Supporters Club and the Glasgow Rangers Supporters Club. Kelly's even sponsors a local Pub side, fittingly named Kelly's Pub Football Club. They play in Division One of the local industrial league, you can catch them at the Catalogna SoccerPlexe in the winter, and at different outdoor fields in the West Island during the summer season.
Kelly's also does its fair share in giving back to the community, holding Charitable Golf tournaments to help the West Island Palliative Care organization, as well as holding an annual Volleyball tournament in aid of the Montreal Children's Hospital.
Kelly's Pub continuously striving to entertain, holds a lovely live music night, with New Orleans style Jazz on Thursday evenings along with some Karaoke for the drunken masses. To keep up to date and take a look at Kelly's Pub and the variety of entertainment Kelly's has to offer check out the website for more details;
www.kellysbar.com
Kelly's Pub is located at 88 Donegani in Pointe Claire, you may call them anytime for more information at; 514 694-6438.
