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Podcast: The character of Gareth Southgate’s England team, with Peter Crumpler

by
08 July 2021

Alamy

Gareth Southgate gives a team talk during half time of extra time at the Euros semi-final, against Denmark, on Wednesday evening

Gareth Southgate gives a team talk during half time of extra time at the Euros semi-final, against Denmark, on Wednesday evening

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ENGLAND are through to the final of the Euros, after beating Denmark 2-1, in extra time, during a tense and thrilling semi-final match at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday night.

What is it about Gareth Southgate’s approach to leadership that is inspiring the players to perform, and what lessons might there be for the Church? What does the humility of England’s players show about the link between character and performance? And what are we to make of this generation of players’ championing of social-justice causes?

To discuss all this, and more, Ed Thornton is joined on the podcast this week by the Revd Peter Crumpler, a priest in the diocese of St Albans, a former communications director at Church House, Westminster, and an avid football fan.

He has written previously in the Church Times about the relationship between football and faith, and spoken about it on this podcast.

The book he mentions in the interview, Thank God for Football!, by Peter Lupson, is published by SPCK and is available to buy from the Church House Bookshop.


Click the play button above to listen to this podcast. You can also listen to the Church Times Podcast on the Church Times app for iPhone and iPadSoundcloudApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotify, and most other podcast platforms.

 

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