NEW KIM-A FLIGHT OF FANCY

 A two year old racing pigeon, New Kim, best young bird in Belgium, has been sold to a Chinese buyer for £1.4m, a record fee. The pigeon from Belgium, is, along with all his mates, highly prized, as are all racing pigeons from Belgium, the home of the racing pigeon sport. Whilst pigeon racing in Britain has been losing popularity over recent years, it has had a boost when it became the first sport to return to action following the coronavirus lockdown. No country has such a concentration of pigeon enthusiasts like Belgium, with over 20,000 fanciers competing at a "Champions' League" type competition. The pigeon will be put out to "stud", along with over 400 other birds from the same coop, raking in over £4.5m.

It is no wonder then that Belgium Football also has such a high profile. After all, with a population of 11.6 million, there must be a huge choice of...........errr, that doesn't make sense, England's population is around 56 million-where/when did it go so wrong?

It was the introduction in the 19th Century, of English teachers to schools in the Low Countries, following on from British seamen playing the game in and around the various docks in northern Europe. The Belgians raided Britain and brought teachers into their education system, the teachers, usually young and vigorous men prepared to take a risk, creating a hot bed of football. Actually many of these football "clubs" emerged from sporting clubs already existing, such as those involved in pigeon racing, cycling ("flat" land!!) and ironically shooting clubs (beware pigeons). In 1895 a Belgian League was started.

The first Belgian international was held in 1904 v France a 3-3 draw. Their 1909 match between England Amateur XI and a Belgium XI (below) ended 11-2!

England and Belgium have met 25 times in history, with England winning 16 times, draws 4 and Belgium's wins 5. 

The first match between the two Associations was in May 1921 with Charles Buchan, leading an English victory 0-2 away, on tour. There were then only nine meetings with 8 English wins and one draw until the next Belgian win on May 9th 1936, 3-2, away in Brussels. Journalist, Bernard Joy played in the English side.

The two countries met after the War, with the next English defeat in May 1998 when playing in a King Hassan II tournament in Casablanca. Following a 0-0 draw, Belgium won on penalties 4-3. 

In the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Belgium beat England 1-0 in a group game and then 2-0 in the Third Place play off. This was England's 100th game at a major tournament (69 in World Cup and 31 in European Champs).                 Belgium is currently ranked 1st by FIFA.