 GOD'S ears were brushed by many prayers during the World Cup. They came in fervent whispers from the contestants themselves and from their millions of supporters in the stadiums and at home. Some players crossed themselves as they ran onto the throbbing, steaming arenas, hoping that their evident devotion would win the coveted prize and the riches that would follow here on earth. Others pressed their hands together, fingers pointing to heaven. All the prayers from the different nations could be translated into English as, "Please, God, guide us to victory". So God was presented with a problem. How could he choose between the competing merits of all these countries? Everyone wants to have God on his side. Twenty years ago Diego Maradona claimed that his first goal in Argentina's 2-1 win over England in the quarter-final of the World Cup in Mexico had been scored by "the hand of God". "But it is almost superstition, to cross yourself and think God will be on your side," says the writer of a new book examining the Christian origins of football. "I don't really think that God is too influenced by that sort of gesture." However, long before all the fast-dealing, theatrical dives, flash cars and beautiful girlfriends, God was the driving force behind the game. "In fact, you can thank God for football," says the vibrant, sun-tanned academic sitting in a book-lined study overlooking his garden in suburban Wirral. Peter Lupson's book, with a foreword from John Motson, the BBC commentator, tells of how some of England's greatest clubs, including Everton and Liverpool, owe their existence to churches and the "muscular Christians", who saw an opportunity of linking sport to a higher spiritual, social and moral purpose. More than that, though, Peter himself had already done much to revive the old Victorian ethos by founding a football club at his own evangelical church, the Longcroft Christian Fellowship, Barnston, Wirral, and helping to start the Merseyside Inter-Church League in season 1995/96. He is the club's president and was the League's president for 10 years, now being involved in an associate capacity. New players are still given a Bible for Christmas. But there were problems. | 
