Before the World Cup in South Africa, financial experts were extolling the virtues of a good World Cup on the British economy, and that a little joy on the football field would do wonders for our economic recovery.
It was always going to be an optimistic assumption, with England having one of their worst World Cups in years. But with a collection of potentially morale boosting events lined up over the next couple of years, can sport and the Royals really lift our country out of economic gloom?
As we come to the end of 2010, The Promotional Gifts Company takes a look at what is coming up in the not too distant future that could give Blighty a good old boost.
The Ashes
25th November 2010 – 7th January 2011
There are few things we like better than giving the Aussies a damn good thrashing, and to do it in their own back yard would be the icing on the cake. With former Ashes greats queuing up to predict an England win over the old enemy (admittedly most of those are English!) we are in with our best chance of a win on Aussie soil since 1987. So could it be that years of futile performances down under have all been leading up to this one crowning moment that will lift the spirits of a nation? Cue the Elgar….
The World Cup 2018 Announcement
2nd December 2010
After all the hype, anticipation, newspaper allegations and ill advised gifts, the announcement for the host of the 2018 World Cup will be made. It is something that England has been waiting for since 1966, and a crack team of bidders has been working hard to secure what would be a momentous event for the country. At times it has appeared like it was England's for the taking, only for us to conjure up new and increasingly imaginative ways to throw a spanner in the works, with newspaper allegations of corruption and the head of the bid team stepping down not helping matters.
But still we fight on, and on December 2nd we will finally find out if we have managed to overcome our own incompetence and secure those all important votes. After all, it wouldn't be British if we had it our own way and won without adversity, so let's hope that FIFA see sense and award the World Cup to England.
The Royal Wedding
29th April 2011
Break out the best china and rejoice in patriotic fever as the second in line the throne Prince William marries our future Queen. Those who remember when Prince Charles married Lady Diana will recall the ecstatic scenes across the nation on that day, and Royalists will be hoping for similar scenes when his first son celebrates his wedding day. Even if you couldn't care less about the Royals, we all get an extra Bank Holiday thrown in, so three cheers for the Prince!
Rugby World Cup
9th September 2011
The famously erratic English Rugby team will take to the field in New Zealand next year and hope to emulate the last two competitions where they have reached the final. All but written off in 2007, we came close to retaining the trophy only to be overpowered by an excellent South African team, and those optimists amongst us will be hoping to go a step further next year. A World Cup victory would be just what the country needs, and another final win against Australia would put the icing on the cake.
The Diamond Jubilee
5th June 2012
Another occasion for the best china and the cucumber sandwiches, 2012 will mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, celebrating 50 years on the throne. We will get another extra Bank Holiday thrown in on June 5th, and expect scenes of joy reminiscent of the Golden Jubilee of 2001.
London 2012 Olympics
27th July – 12th August 2012
Should the World Cup 2018 bid not go to plan, at least we still have the Olympics to look forward to. The summer of 2012 will see the best athletes in the World converge on London for what promises to be the highlight of the sporting calendar. With a promising crop of youngsters eyeing medal success at the games, Britain has high hopes of not only putting on a good show, but also coming away with plenty of rare metal around athletes necks.
So, if a World Cup victory was going to inspire a nation out of economic gloom, imagine what this little lot could do. There's no doubt that businesses need a well deserved boost and the feel good factor attached to national pride and success can prove to be a huge economic stimulus. Let's hope that success on the sports field and a bit of national joy can set the business world up for a successful two years to come.
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