London 2012 Olympics: Despite penalty misery, Pearce hails GB team’s positive effect on country

Pearce raised an eyebrow or two when he expressed that hope at the start of competition.

After all, given the publicity generated by the Premier League, it barely seems credible anyone is unaware of the lure of football.

However, so many these days get their experience through TV rather than actually attending games and it has been obvious over the past fortnight that many youngsters, potentially priced out of top-flight action, have been able to attend. And Pearce hopes the experience can fuel even more  enthusiasm.

“When I have been out having a run in the morning or walking around the city, I have been bumping into people who have been coming to football for the first time,” he said.

“The atmosphere in the stadiums has been carnival-like at times, and if we have brought a few more supporters to football, then it has been a success.”

Unfortunately, GB’s hopes of their campaign being measured in the same positive way have been badly affected by Saturday’s quarter-final penalty shoot-out defeat to South Korea.

With a semi-final against Brazil on offer, GB fell short at a depressingly familiar hurdle as Daniel Sturridge missed their crucial last kick.

It means that on a weekend when the country has united behind the stellar performances of Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and the rest, the country’s highest-paid sportsmen are being held up as examples of how it shouldn’t be done.

And, for the men in particular,  the pain is increased because it is impossible to imagine the experience being repeated at Rio 2016, no matter how beneficial Pearce thinks the last four weeks have been.

“It is a real shame,” he said. “But  the most important thing has been the feel-good factor around football.

“Being involved in the Olympics has been a fantastic experience for everyone. The players gave me everything they could and the only downside is we don’t have a chance to fight for a medal over the next two games.”

Pearce insisted he did not feel apprehensive when the game went to penalties, despite England’s wretched shoot-out history. England provide the bulk of the British squad.

“I felt excitement,” Pearce said. “I prepare my teams from day one, the first day we got together as a group we practised penalties and that’s the same with the [England] Under-21s.

“We studied thoroughly and once we get to a penalty shoot-out situation I see myself and my team as favourites.

“The victors of this game were assured of two more matches and two chances at a medal and that is the disappointment, probably more so for the players who have enjoyed their time here. I would have liked to see how we would have developed as a team playing more and more games.”