News imageFootball Daily, Remember When… We Had A Golden Generation

Football Daily

Remember When… We Had A Golden Generation

3 June 2026

37 minutes

Available for over a year

When England flew to Germany for the 2006 World Cup, expectations were at fever pitch for a star-studded team led by David Beckham. The so-called Golden Generation was ready to deliver. But it never happened – instead came a series of heartbreaks and disappointments that left the fanbase in despair.

Rick Edwards is joined by Sharon, Billy and Gary, three fans who probably suffered through more games than anyone else during the Golden Generation. They reflect on their incredible experiences at different tournaments, but also the growing sense of a team that felt further away from the fans than ever before.

02:24 - How optimistic were England fans going into the 2006 World Cup?

04:31 - Sharon, Billy and Gary’s experiences on the ground in Germany

11:10 - England meet Portugal in the quarter-finals again

13:12 - Owen Hargreaves & underappreciated members of the Golden Generation

17:30 - England at South Africa World Cup 2010

19:15 - Wayne Rooney hitting back at the fans & disconnection with the team

25:03 - The end of the Golden Generation

27:30 - Disaster at Brazil World Cup 2014

29:52 - Reflecting on this era

32:55 - The beauty of following England on the road