Terry Butcher was proud when he led England out in the 1990 World Cup semi-final against West Germany - and was left heartbroken when the dream ended.
It is 25 years since Bobby Robson's side bowed out of Italia 90, following Paul Gascoigne's tears and a dramatic penalty shoot-out defeat.
The memories of that June evening in Turin, however, still burn bright in the sporting psyche of a nation which became transfixed by the collective efforts of an industrious squad including the likes of Des Walker, Chris Waddle, Peter Beardsley, David Platt and Gary Lineker.
Following a low-key start to the campaign, with draws against the Repubic of Ireland and Holland, England beat Egypt before seeing off Belgium with an extra -time winner from Platt. T hen it was to Naples and a quarter-final victory over Cameroon, the tournament's surprise package.
By the time Butcher, in his final international campaign, walked the team out at the Stadio delle Alpi, there was a genuine belief both within the training camp and at home that it was England's time to bring an end to 24 years of near misses on the world stage.
However , there was more agony and another glorious defeat. Lineker equalised late on but England exited on penalties - something which has become familiar since.
The experiences and friendships forged over that summer, however, will last a lifetime, with some 300,000 supporters turning out to salute the squad when they returned home.
Butcher recalled in an interview with Press Association Sport: "I was so proud to be captain and lead the England team out in a World Cup semi-final, only Bobby Moore had done that before, so it was a massive honour for me.
"I did not captain England many times, but that was the big one. It was a case of making my family and my country proud, and some of the best football we played was in that semi-final, it was just marvellous.
"We knew Argentina had their all injuries and suspensions and thought that if we could beat West Germany, then we would win the World Cup. They obviously thought the same too.
"It was a very close match in the end, with nothing really between the two countries."
From Neil Webb, Tony Dorigo, Trevor Steven to Steve Hodge, Steve Bull, John Barnes, Steve McMahon and injured skipper Bryan Robson, Butcher believes Robson had found a unique blend.
Now 56, he continued: "The spirit of team and the squad just grew stronger all of the time.
"We were a very tight unit with a lot of players who were captains at their clubs, who all knew how to do their jobs - and we all desperately wanted to win the World Cup for England.
"The open-top bus we had afterwards was something special, Gazza certainly helped make it that, with all of our families there, and it will live with me forever.
"When it was all over, it was heartbreaking to say goodbye, it really was."
The pain remains as he recalls what might have been - but, Butcher, who retired with 77 caps after the tournament, does allow himself a bit of welcome nostalgia once in a while.
Now manager at League Two Newport, he said: "When we get together again, and I have seen some of the boys recently, it is just amazing, because you can always go back to those days and talk about it all in a nice way."
Source: PA
