Graphic: Bill Edgar's tactical analysis

When you think about it, a leading tournament without England should not be such a big deal. After all, it happened in 1994. And 1984, 1978 and 1974. The sun still rose, children still played and pundits still opined.

But that was then, this is now. Back then, England was not home to the world’s wealthiest and most high-profile league. England did not boast an array of familiar names excelling week in, week out in that other carnival of globalised football, the Champions League. And, just as importantly, their failure to qualify did not come on the back of three consecutive quarter-final finishes.

In footballing terms, England’s absence will be felt on two levels. The other European heavyweights — Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Holland — will be secretly pleased at the absence of another potential contender. History does not tend to remember those who fail to show up. The fact that France were not there in 1994 or that Holland failed to qualify in 1986 did not in any way tarnish the World Cup triumphs of Brazil and Argentina.

Expert View

English football has to be better than this; and, when it is not, the man in charge knows what to expect

Martin Samuel

• More

• Post a comment

BACKGROUND

• McClaren sacked as England coach

• Dismissal is no compensation for England fans

• Jitters destroy England’s composure

• Turnip or terrific? Fans give answer to McClaren

BACKGROUND

• How England rated

• If O’Neill says no, will the FA call Klinsmann?

• Terry defends man in charge

• Why England will be sorely missed in finals

BACKGROUND

• Let’s not just blame the team, blame the Americans too

• Good riddance to fear factors

• Echoes of Bogota as Croatia official is accused of shoplifting

• Seven deadly sins

BACKGROUND

• McClaren: the buck stops with me

• Analysis: Gabriele Marcotti

• 'Not even prepared to get his hair wet!' - the fans' verdict

• Barwick: McClaren had to go

BACKGROUND

• England's qualifying horrors

Multimedia

• England fans: let off steam here

• How the drama unfolded

• Is McClaren a scapegoat?

Multimedia

• What you should do next summer

Related Links

• Analysis: Gabriele Marcotti

• 'Not even prepared to get his hair wet!' - the fans' verdict

But where England will genuinely be missed is in the hearts and minds of those who support other nations, the ones who failed to make it and the ones who stand little chance of success. Which is, frankly, the vast majority of Uefa (not to mention Fifa) members. They are the neutrals, the ones who tune in or show up because they love the game, plain and simple, with no pretensions of nationalism or partisanship. They are the ones who want to see the stars, all of them, including the England stars.

And because of the prominence of the Premier League, they have a familiarity and a kinship with the England players that cuts easily across national boundaries. David Beckham, is, of course, the epitome of this phenomenon. But it is not uncommon to encounter people who are, genuinely, fans of Frank Lampard or Wayne Rooney or, yes, even Gary Neville. People who know all about them and cannot get enough of them, despite the fact that they may never have seen them in the flesh. They are the ones to feel sorry for, in addition to England fans.

Beyond that, television companies may also suffer to some degree. Having shelled out large sums to acquire the rights to the competition, they will take at least a partial hit in the ratings when they serve up Germany against Russia at primetime rather than Germany against England.

Those of us in the media will have to work that little bit harder. Finding interesting things to say about the Russians requires a tad more research than discussing Beckham’s haircut or Rooney’s upbringing on the mean streets of Croxteth.

Restaurateurs and hoteliers will miss England, too. No country’s supporters travel in such numbers or provide such an instant boon to any local economy.

However, the real loss will not be economic. It goes deeper than that. The rest of Europe has come to count on England as a genuine power, an inextricable part of the framework of the game.

England’s splendid footballing isolation lasted far longer than people think. Whether it was the blood-and-guts, kick-and-rush football, the crazily congested fixture calendar, two substitutes on the bench or three points for a win, for most of the 20th century it felt as if these shores hosted a different game to that being played by the rest of the world.

Now, in the 21st century, for better or worse, England are finally a key part of the fabric of European football. And that is why, even for those of us who are not England fans, today is such a sad day.