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Dennis Lawrence: My untold World Cup storyReception in Trinidad will always live with meThe World Cup moment Dennis will take to his grave is not facing England in Germany, it’s not keeping the England strikers quiet for 81 minutes – and it’s not the sight of the ball bouncing into the Bahrain net a couple of months earlier.
The moment Dennis will always cherish came at the airport in Port of Spain the day after his historic header.
“When we got back to the hotel we got a phone call from the Prime Minister requesting that every player come back to Trinidad for a reception.
“But remember, we’re playing in England and there are players having to report back for matches on the Saturday. We’re thinking what shall we do,?
“I called Denis Smith ( Wrexham boss) and I can always remember the first thing he said to me was ‘Congratulations Big man. You’ve got to go’.
“A few of the boys didn’t get permission – including Dwight Yorke who was the team captain.
“But I was vice captain and as the plane is coming in to land I looked out the window and just saw this sea of red.
“I thought ‘what’s happening here?’
“The plane lands. The door opens, the president of the FA gets off first then I follow and there’s just a sea of red. Three quarters of Trinidad and Tobago was in the airport waiting for the team.
“I just thought ‘I can’t believe I’m seeing this.’
“For me that was the moment I’ll take with me. That’s the first time I’ve seen my country come together as one and it shows what sport can do for any culture.
“It was a proud moment.
“It was incredible to play in the World Cup finals against teams like Sweden, England and Paraguay, but the moment for me will be that one at the airport.
“That will be the moment I’ll always cherish.”
The first time I faced Everton...and Wayne RooneyDennis Lawrence was a close observer the night Wayne Rooney made Everton history in 2002.
He was one of the Wrexham defenders charged with stopping the teenage prodigy – but couldn’t prevent the teenager from becoming the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history.
“I can remember that night well,” said Dennis. “We drew Everton, which was a big draw with big players like Kevin Campell, Duncan Ferguson – and a young player called Wayne Rooney who I didn't know much about because I was new to the UK at the time.
“That was my first full season.
“It was a good team and it was good for myself.
“It was a fantastic experience for me to be able to play against these type of players.”