I SERVED in the Royal Navy for many years and travelled throughout the world.

In just about every country we visited a football match was organised between the ship’s crew and the local teams.

We always wore Royal Navy kit and the proverbial boots.

Many of the local teams especially East African village teams never played in kit or boots and it was an unwritten rule we would give our kit and boots to under privileged youngsters.

I cannot remember on any occasion where these players complained about someone inadvertently standing on someone’s toes.

So far I have watched every game of this World Cup and it sickens me the amount of nanny players who fall to the ground like some 2-year-old spitting their dummy because someone looked at them the wrong way or accidentally stood on their toe.

My advice is get a life or protective footwear.

Oops! Just spilled my coffee - blamed the wife she should have given me a cup with plastic top on like my granddaughter has.

Ray Vincent, Darlington