The big game is almost here. Knowing several of us in the Trinidad & Tobago squad grew up in England and play there, people ask if we've ever come up against the big names. I can go one better. I was senior partner in a centre-back duo with none other than Rio Ferdinand.
I was with Bournemouth when Rio came on loan from West Ham. He was 17, but his class was already obvious. I'm eight years older and I'd like to say I taught him everything he knows. In truth, I learnt a lot from him. The only other England player I recall being on the same pitch as is David Beckham, in a fund-raiser at Bournemouth. These guys move in different circles. I have to pinch myself that I'm in the same tournament.
I'm 35 now and I didn't get into professional football until I joined Crystal Palace at nearly 23. These days I'm a defender but I was a winger/midfielder at Whyteleafe and Carshalton. For me, the World Cup was something on TV. As a kid I loved the 1982 finals. Italy beating Brazil 3-2 is still vivid. And like the whole nation I got caught up in England's run in 1990 when Gazza was on fire. To play a part in Nuremberg would be amazing. In Dortmund against Sweden I stayed on the bench, but the atmosphere was electric. I wouldn't have said the England game could have got any bigger. But the point we got on Saturday has given it even more edge. If we could get something out of this one, it could really make things interesting in terms of qualifying. Not that we can take beating Paraguay for granted. No one expected us to hold Sweden, especially after going down to 10 men. But we could have nicked it when Cornell [Glen] hit the bar. There's belief, but we can't get carried away. Leo Beenhakker wouldn't let us do that anyway. He's very astute.
It will just add to the occasion if Wayne Rooney plays. You could argue it would be better for us if he doesn't. But any player wants to pit his wits against the best. We know all about their players because we see them on TV. I also know from living in England that they're under intense pressure from the media. It could have an adverse effect.
As we warm up, I may think back to playing at Epsom, Windsor or Staines on freezing Tuesdays in February, watched by a man and his dog. This is payback time. When it's all over, win, lose or draw, I'll have a word with Rio. I hope he remembers me.