The England football team crash out of another major tournament. Why does it matter? What is it with England and football? Why can't we take penalties? From 1066 to 1966 to 2006; from the beginning of the Universe to the ends of the Earth; from the black hole of Calcutta to the grey streets of Peterborough; from Saint Augustine to Saint and Greavsie; from Terry Venables to the venerable Bede; from Wellington to Wembley; from Sheakespeare to Shearer. Tracing the ups and downs of the England team since 66, alongside the origins of its people -through scanning the personal, parochial, historical, cultural, political, sociological and footballing landscape of England - the reader is taken on a roller coaster ride in search of the English character with the ultimate ambition of seeing England win the World Cup once more.