SHE made her name as England's greatest scoring goldfish – and Span has no doubts that some of her human counterparts can match her net-busting exploits in Brazil.
Sporting an all-orange kit, (Holland are her second team) Span quickly scales unexpected depths with a ball control reminiscent of Frank Lamprey or Sole Campbell in their heyday and her record hitting the back of the net is the envy of Rooney, Sturridge and co.
But despite the disappointment of England's opening day defeat to Italy and to the relief of Hodgson and his team, Span has confidently predicted England will beat Uruguay on Thursday and progress in the competition.
Owner Peter Bettison of Cowley, Exeter, said Span – named after the legend Spanley Matthews – has been a little out of form in recent weeks and not as prolific as she once was. But a little encouragement and even a rousing chorus of Vindaloo by Fat Les is just the motivation she needs to re-capture her fin-tastic record.
He said: "She has always enjoyed scoring goals and is thoroughly British. So it is England all the way for Span. She perks up when you cheer for England and is much keener to score a goal so it is clear who she thinks is going to win."
Span was understood to be deeply disappointed by the absence of Ashley Coley from the England squad but is predicting big performances from the likes of Robin van Perchie, Joe Carp and Sole-omon Kalou during the tournament,
Span has yet to make her final prediction on who will win the main prize. But the winner of the gold-fish boot has never been in doubt. Anything else will leave us all cod-smacked!
