Legendary rock star Ozzy Osbourne gives skysports.com his favourite memory from World Cup history.
Rock icon Ozzy Osbourne chats with Peter Fraser about the World Cup, American soccer, unused gifts from David Beckham... and Frank Bruno
Ever had one of those conversations when you intend to talk about one subject but find yourself unexpectedly veering onto another topic?
Skysports.com recently had such an experience when chatting with legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne as the former Black Sabbath frontman and star of popular television series 'The Osbournes' prepares to release new album 'Scream' through Epic Records on 15th June, while a mammoth 18-month world tour is also scheduled.
The plan was to discuss the World Cup with one of Birmingham's favourite sons. However, rock 'n' roll excess can take its toll on the memory and can lead to meanders when nattering, as demonstrated as our interview drew to a close.
"I don't mind watching a game, but I'm not an obsessive, compulsive soccer fan," joked Ozzy from his home in Los Angeles, with expletives edited for fear of exhausting the '*' key.
"I once went to one boxing match in a football place in England. I can't remember his name... Frank Bruno! It was like watching two doormen at a wedding reception, there were better fights in the stands to be honest with you."
While things may have ended on a slightly bizarre note, Ozzy had strong memories of England's finest hour at the World Cup, when West Germany were famously defeated 4-2 at Wembley in the final 44 years ago.
Black eye
"The only World Cup I remember was in 1966 when England played West Germany in the final and Bobby Moore was the captain," he said. "When it got to the last goal in extra-time it was brilliant.
"I was in my house with my parents where I grew up. We were watching on a black and white TV and you could hear a pin drop when the match was on because my father was well into it.
"I wasn't into it so much, I was more into the rock 'n' roll lifestyle back then. I'm not really a dedicated follower of soccer, but 1966 was very memorable to me. It was unbelievable.
"I was about 18 years old, but there weren't any parties afterwards, we had no money for parties, a party was a black eye in them days.
"I had a girlfriend watching the football with me, I think. She was trying to talk to me and I was like, 'shut up!'"
What about Ozzy's own experience of playing football while growing up in the Aston area of Birmingham?
Stupid
"We had a kick around," he said with a laugh. "In my area if you couldn't kick a ball then you kicked the closest guy to you. Our rules were made up, it was about 25-a-side in the streets and at school."
Ozzy splits his time between a farm in England and his base across the pond and he is less then impressed with the version of football, 'soccer', in the USA ahead of this summer's World Cup meeting between the two nations.
"When you watch soccer in America, they have this stupid thing that they have three shots at goal if the game is a draw," he explained. "That is so lame.
"I would have thought they would have lapped it up in America. But I guarantee that when they do get their heads around it they will be the world champions."
It was hoped that the MLS would increase in status following the arrival of David Beckham at Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007, but Ozzy light-heartedly suggests that he is not entirely convinced after a previous encounter with the injured England midfielder
"When 'The Osbournes' was happening I woke up one morning and someone gave me a box," he recalled. "It was a pair of football boots and I said, 'who would want to send me a pair of football boots?'
"They were signed by David Beckham, so when I met him, I think it was at one of Elton John's parties, I said, 'why did you send me a pair of football boots?' He turned round and said (adopting a dopey accent), 'Well, I didn't know what else to send you.'"
Ozzy Osbourne is to release new album, 'Scream' on 15th June through Epic Records. For more information, visit www.ozzy.com.
