It certainly wasn't pretty, either. But when various sports figures in Rain Island, Spontoon and Tillamooka decided to field a football side after the 1958 World Cup, it appeared to be a good idea at the time.

Getting things approved through FIFA was only the first set of hurdles, as the three countries wanted to combine their resources. Eventually, however, a side was admitted into the international ranks.

Things didn't go well at first. The Rain Island side didn't manage to qualify for the 1962 Cup, but groundwork had been laid for another run at the Cup in 1966. Several players were already playing professionally in other countries (notably striker Dan Alderman, nicknamed 'The Lightning Fox,' who played for a club in Mexico).

After a long qualifying campaign that ended with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Honduras, the Rain Island team were admitted into the first round of the 1966 World Cup, to be held in England that year. Despite some concerns about visiting the home of former colonial masters, most Englishmen were tolerant of the Rain Islanders (although some referred to them as misplaced Canadians).

The all-male side was placed in Pot 4 (Rest of the World) for the initial round. Rain Island played a 2-4-4 set, striker Dan Alderman paired with a feline named War Cloud. The four starting midfielders were veteran rugby players known for their tackling style that combined a ruthless viciousness and a strict adherence to the rules. Despite almost continuous complaints from other nations, the referees couldn't find anything to wave a card at. The defenders were considered the weakest link in the lineup, but the goalkeeper was a polar bear from one of the Alaskan cantons.

The coach for the team was a troika headed by Michael Brushtail, a fifth-generation Spontoonie of Irish descent.

Seeding for the first round meant that Rain Island would be playing the Soviet Union, Chile and Italy. The Soviets praised Rain Island's socialism and Alderman's attacking style while at the same time denying him any chance of reaching the goal. The 3-0 Soviet victory didn't seem like a very promising start, and things could only get worse.

Chile was the second match, and Rain Island shifted their tactics to a more aggressive attack on the ball. Unfortunately, this left the defense vulnerable, and the Chilean side took full advantage, winning 2-0. War Cloud later recounted, "We couldn't do anything right, and that made us angry - more at ourselves than at anyone else."

This anger saw the light of day in the final first-round match against Italy. The Azurri had jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first period when their midfielder Rivera lofted a crossing shot to Bulgarelli. As Bulgarelli went up for the header, defender O'Rourke leaped higher, and the mephit sprayed the unfortunate Italian player straight in the face as he cleared the ball out. O'Rourke was sent off with a red card and several minutes of injury time were added while the Italian trainers spent most of the interval obtaining a supply of tomato juice.

The second period saw the Rain Islanders shift to a more defensive posture. Alderman and a midfielder saw a weak spot in the Italian line and drove for the goal, stopping only when Alderman was tackled from behind within 20 yards of the goal. A free kick was awarded, and Alderman fired an oblique shot at the wall.

War Cloud succeeded in making a diving header that sent the ball bouncing past the Italian keeper for Rain Island's only World Cup goal.

Eliminated in the first round, Rain Island and its partners have not yet managed to get a return engagement to the Cup. Several players do, however, play for teams scattered throughout South America and Asia.

Part of the reason FIFA has not extended an invitation to Rain Island was The Foul Foul, as it came to be called. O'Rourke was feted on his return to his hometown, and passed away in 2006.

_____________________

The article is ©  walt46 and  eocostello and was written during the 2010 World Cup.

Rain Island, Spontoon and Tillamook are part of the Spontoon Island universe.

Art by the uber-talented  moodyferret