ENGLAND embarked on its long love affair with Argentine footballers in 1978 when the South Americans - inspired by the maverick skills of Mario Kempes - lifted the World Cup on home soil.

Prior to that, there was little love lost between the two nations, especially given that England manager Sir Alf Ramsey labelled Argentina 'animals' following a 1966 World Cup clash at Wembley after baring witness to a prototype of kick-boxing.

But when Osvaldo Ardiles and Ricardo Villa arrived to play for Tottenham Hotspur shortly after the '78 World Cup, bringing with them their dazzling array of silky skills, the footballing public embraced the pair as two of their own.

An influx of South Americans soon followed the Tottenham two to England - including the disastrous signing of Claudio Marangoni at Roker Park - but none, it would be fair to say, have had the same impact as the Spurs pair at White Hart Lane.

Weekly comic Roy of the Rovers even jumped on the bandwagon with the Kid from Argentina.

But following the Falklands War, Manton County's £335,000 teenage signing Jorge Porbillas was sent packing by the writers.

Sunderland's very own Kid from Argentina, Julio Arca, nearly suffered a similar fate when the Black Cats waged a war against relegation on Wearside in 2002/03 and Peter Reid's successor, Howard Wilkinson, threatened to turn his dream move into a nightmare.

Arca featured only fleetingly during the dour Yorkshireman's reign and felt he was on his way home.

"Howard did not seem to like me," he admitted. "I played my best but it did not matter how hard I tried. If a manager does not like you then there is nothing you can do. I was thinking I was on my way out.

"I only played four or five games all season and that was not enough.

"I played all season in the reserves and we won the league, but that was small consolation. I was thinking about leaving but then Mick (McCarthy) came and changed my mind and gave me a chance to play.

"In the beginning even he did not play me because he had too many players. But then he decided to change and gave me an opportunity against Preston away.

"At that time I think we had gone 17 games without a win and we won 1-0. Since then I have never looked back."

Fierce rivals Newcastle United were the early favourites to bring Arca's precocious talents to the North-East.

Manager Bobby Robson had already added fellow compatriots Christian Bassedas and Daniel Cordone to his squad.

But while the former England manager procrastinated over the £3.5m transfer fee, Reid swooped to bring Arca to Wearside from Argentinos Juniors - Diego Maradona's old club.

Reid had spotted Arca while playing for Argentina Under-21s against England at Craven Cottage and tracked him until completing the deal in July 2000.

His transfer made him the third most expensive signing in Sunderland's history behind Stefan Schwarz and Emerson Thome.

Arca knew of the Magpies' interest, and that of Leeds United too, but said: "It was a great opportunity to come to Europe and play for Sunderland. I think I made the right decision to come here.

"In Argentina there is a saying 'you never know when the next train is coming so you're better catching the first one'."

Arca initially found it difficult to settle in to his new surroundings on Wearside; perhaps understandable given he had to leave his family and move halfway around the world while still in his teenage years.

Fortunately another South American made his move a little bit easier.

"In the beginning I came here with my agent for a few months and then I met Emerson Thome.

"He helped me a lot because I could not speak English and he and knew both English and Spanish. He was like a big brother and looked after me and we're still in touch. He's a good guy."

The 24-year-old confessed he still misses his family enormously and spends a large amount of his pre-season break back home.

Yet Arca's background is far from typical.

The stereotype would be a typical rags to riches tale: of a South American footballer leaving his poverty-stricken shantytown dwelling to move into a luxurious mansion with all the all the trappings of fame and fortune.

Although he does enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle since his move to Wearside, he enjoyed a lower middle-class upbringing in Buenos Aires.

He said: "My mum just stays at home and my father works in a bank. Life was not as good as it is here in England but my father worked hard to give me what I wanted."

Arca also opened a window in to the life of a young footballer signing his first contract in Argentina.

Most young professionals could buy a top of the range BMW with their first salary.

Arca endured several months of saving to purchase his first car, which was a bit more humble in status.

"I got my first car when I was 19, a small Renault Clio, when I signed my first contract, which was probably £100 a week," he revealed.

"I had to save up for months to buy it. And I needed a car because it was a long way to go training.

"I worked really hard to be playing where I am now and my parents are really happy to see me playing in Europe because they worked really hard for me too.

"Now I can look after them and they know they can have anything they want from me. If it was not for them I would not be here."

Arca, who is the eldest of three children, also revealed there is another budding starlet in the household.

He said: "I have a sister who is 20-years-old and my brother is 12 now and has started to play football. I hope he can be a Sunderland star of the future. It would be nice to play in the same team as him so you never know."

There has been endless speculation linking the Black Cats' longest-serving player with a move - but an open and honest Arca revealed he has no aspirations to leave and nothing would give him greater pleasure than to spend the rest of his playing days at his spiritual home.

He said: "I have said it many times before, when you feel very comfortable in one place it's difficult to leave especially when you are playing and the relationship with the manager is good.

"He plays me all the time.

"The fans have always been great to me since I came to the club. To change clubs would be a new thing to do but I'm really happy and comfortable where I am and looking forward to staying here a few more years."

Sunderland's love affair with Arca continues this afternoon when West Ham make the trip to Wearside.

Ironically, a 19-year-old Arca marked his Premier League debut against the Hammers at the Stadium of Light with a goal in a 1-1 draw a little over five years ago.

Another this afternoon would certainly not go amiss.

*Sunderland's new home kit is launched on Wednesday October 5 at 5pm at the Stadium of Light, with fans given the chance to purchase their new shirt and cheer on Sunderland's reserve side against Manchester City.

Entry to the game is free and the Metro Radio Roadshow will be on hand to entertain from 4.30pm.

Some of Sunderland's first-team will meet fans and sign autographs outside the Stadium store, which will open at 5pm.

Turnstiles open from 6pm, with the game to kick-off at 7.30pm.

Everyone who purchases from official club outlets will also receive an exclusive silver SAFC football, worth £9.99, free.

Supporters can pre-order their shirt now via the club's official website, safc.com, the retail hotline, (0191) 551 5030 or in person at club retail outlets at the Stadium of Light and Sainsbury's (formerly Savacentre) The Galleries, Washington.

Orders received by 8pm tomorrow will be guaranteed delivery anywhere in the UK for Thursday, October 6.

Read more about Sunderland here.