England Matches - Youth/Under-18's 1947-59

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"The revival of Youth Football for those between 16 and 18 years of age has been one of the most important features in The Football Association's work since the War. The 1947-48 season has seen two innovations. The first was the International Youth Tournament played in England. There was also the Youth International Championship between England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The success of these competitions is unquestioned, and they are likely to become a permanent feature in each year's fixtures. The promise shown by many of the players and their general enthusiasm augurs well for the future of the game." - The F.A. Yearbook 1948-49. p115

(with thanks to Friedhelm Henke)

KEY: Name in Bold Green - younger age group i.e. their 18th birthday was not during that season, name in Bold Blue - already capped at higher level

For the first seven seasons of its existence, England's youth team consisted entirely of amateur players, though often they would go on to sign professional contracts following their youth international appearances.

Matches were initially of eighty minutes' duration (two halves of forty minutes each), but it is likely that they switched to ninety minutes by, at least, 1952 in the Amateur Youth Championship, though not in the FIFA tournament.

Season 1947-48

Class of 1948 (born after 31 August 1929 and before 1 September 1933 - between 15 and 18 on 31 August 1948):
Top scorer: 8 - Norman Darwin
Division 1 debuts:
Ken Oxford (Manchester City) 1948
Tommy Jones (Everton) 1950
Maurice Leather (Portsmouth) 1950
George Rankin (Everton) 1950
Roy Saunders (Liverpool) 1953
Gren Jones (West Bromwich Albion) 1954
Derek Hines (Leicester City) 1954
Amateur internationals: Henry Dodkins (1951) - Great Britain Olympic Games (1956)
Ex-schoolboy internationals: Gren Jones (1947)
17-year-old in International Tournament squad: Brown, Leake and Saunders. Leake celebrated his 18th birthday on the day of the final.
Missing details:
Line-ups - Tournament (Wales & Belgium)
Birthdates - Norman Darwin, Keith Gardner, Alan Pollard
Captain v. Scotland

x
International Youth Selection Committee

Amateur Youth Championship

1 25 October 1947 - England 4 Scotland 2 [1-1]
Belle Vue, Doncaster (4,000) Pollard, Hines, Dodkins, Bannister
McQuarrie (2) HW

England: K.Oxford, T.Jones, D.Toase, R.Saunders, A.Leake, H.Dodkins, G.Jones, G.Morris, D.Hines, K.Bannister, A.Pollard. Reserves: M.Hibbert, A.Redfern.

At just 14 years old, almost three years younger than most of his team-mates, and just five months after appearing for England schoolboys, Grenville Jones became England's youngest youth international, in their very first fixture. England's first goal has also been credited to Morris, and a Leake own goal. In goal for Scotland was Ronnie Simpson, who would play for Great Britain in the following year's Olympic Games, and was part of the Scotland team that famously beat world champions, England at Wembley, twenty years later, before winning the European Cup with Celtic.

2 28 February 1948 - England 4 Wales 3 [2-1]
Loakes Park, High Wycombe (8,000) Morris, Hines (2), Gardner
Lewis (2), Griffiths HW

England: M.Leather, G.Rankin, D.Toase, R.Saunders, A.Leake, H.Dodkins, D.Brickley, G.Morris, D.Hines, K.Bannisterᶜ, T.Gardner.

International Youth Tournament in London and Watford

3 quarter-final Darwin (3), Giles HW

15 April 1948 - England 4 Wales 0 [2-0]
Loftus Road, Shepherd's Bush (tbc)

England squad: M.Moorcroft, D.Toase, G.Rankin, R.Saunders, A.Leake, H.Dodkins, D.Brickley, G.Morris, N.Darwin, *K.Bannisterᶜ, P.Giles,*** T.Brown, M.Leather.

The International Youth Tournament began a year late, after the Football Association had been forced to postpone the event, twelve months earlier, due to midweek games being banned by the government so as not to effect factory production in the post-war period. The final was due to have been played at Arsenal Stadium. Norman Darwin made a spectacular debut, becoming the first England youth international to score a hat-trick. He did not make a career in the Football League, however, though he joined Sheffield United, three months later.

4 semi-final Giles, Darwin, Bannister
Corbeel HW

16 April 1948 - England 3 Belgium 1 [nk]
Boleyn Ground, Upton Park (tbc)

England squad: M.Moorcroft, D.Toase, G.Rankin, R.Saunders, A.Leake, H.Dodkins, D.Brickley, G.Morris, N.Darwin, *K.Bannister**ᶜ, P.Giles,* T.Brown, M.Leather.

5 FINAL Darwin (2), Bannister
Vergouwen, De Jong HW

17 April 1948 - England 3 Netherlands 2 [2-0]
White Hart Lane, Tottenham (15,000)

England: M.Moorcroft, D.Toase, G.Rankin, R.Saunders, A.Leake, H.Dodkins, D.Brickley, G.Morris, N.Darwin, K.Bannisterᶜ, P.Giles.

The last match of a triple-header on the same pitch, with the two Irish teams meeting for fifth place, and the Dubliners winning 3-2, before Belgium beat Italy 3-1 in the third-place play-off.

England are the winners of the inaugural International Youth Tournament

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

6 15 May 1948 - Ireland 2 England 2 [1-0]
Solitude, Belfast (tbc) Bingham, McKinnon
Darwin (2) AD

England: M.Moorcroft, G.Rankin, D.Toase, R.Saunders, A.Leake, H.Dodkins, D.Brickley, G.Morris, N.Darwin, K.Bannisterᶜ, P.Giles.

The British and International Youth champions played their first away game and failed to win for the first time, after conceding first to 16-year-old Billy Bingham, who would lead Northern Ireland to two successive World Cups as manager in the 1980s. The Irish Football Association took £264 in gate receipts from "a right good crowd".

England are the winners of the inaugural Amateur Youth Championship

Season 1948-49

Class of 1949 (born after 31 August 1930 and before 1 September 1933 - either 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August 1949):
Division 1 debuts:
Brian Birch (Manchester United) 1949
Doug Holden (Bolton Wanderers) 1951
Tommy Northcott (Cardiff City) 1952
Derek Hennin (Bolton Wanderers) 1954
Full internationals: Doug Holden (1959)
Amateur internationals: George Bromilow (1953) - Great Britain Olympic Games (1956)
17-year-old in FIFA squad: Bennett, Birch, Bromilow, Harrison, Hazel, Hennin, Osman, Reeves and Sidney.
Missing details:
Line-ups - Tournament
Scorers v. Austria (both teams)
Birthdates - Terry Albert, Roy Hazel, Ken Hincks, Harry Hunt, Eric Mitchell, Gordon Norman, John Ridler
Captain v. Ireland & Scotland in Tournament (Sidney?)

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

7 30 October 1948 - Scotland 3 England 1 [1-1]
Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen (8,000) Thomson (2), McNeil
Bromilow AL

England: W.Gould, J.Molyneux, K.Hincks, G.Norman, W.Sidneyᶜ, L.Melville, V.Wright, G.Bromilow, R.Hazel, D.Close, T.Northcott. Reserves: E.Bellchambers, R.Warner.

Ronnie Simpson again kept goal for Scotland, as England suffered their first defeat, in their first defence of the British title, despite scoring first. Nine months later, Brian Close made his test match debut for the England cricket team and went on to captain his country, though he did also make six appearances in the Football League for Bradford City, scoring twice.

8 26 February 1949 - Wales 0 England 0 [0-0]
Vetch Field, Swansea (4,000) AD

England: H.Hunt, F.Harrison, R.Reeves, J.Barrett, W.Sidneyᶜ, G.Norman, Doug Holden, G.Bromilow, R.Warner, B.Birch, R.Mitchell. Reserves: R.Osman, R.Hazel.

A disappointing match saw England's reign as British champions come to an end. Doug Holden became the first youth international to go on to win a full cap, but not the first to win a full cap!

FIFA Youth Tournament in Netherlands

9 quarter-final Birch, Albert (2)
Lewis, Bingham (2) ND

18 April 1949 - England 3 Ireland 3 [3-3]ᴭᵀ
Ireland awarded the match on the toss of a coin
Haarlem Stadion (tbc)

England squad: H.Hunt, J.Ridler, F.Harrison, R.Reeves, J.Barrett, W.Sidney, G.Norman, R.Osman, D.Hennin, Doug Holden, G.Bromilow, B.Birch, A.Bennett, R.Hazel, T.Albert.

Ireland raced into an early three-goal lead before being pegged back in the first half, but after twenty minutes' extra time, the toss of a coin ended England's challenge in their first defence of the title.

10 supplementary round NW

19 April 1949 - Austria 2 England 4 [1-1]ᴭᵀ
De Koeburg, Zeist (tbc)

England squad: H.Hunt, J.Ridler, F.Harrisonᶜ, R.Reeves, J.Barrett, W.Sidney, G.Norman, R.Osman, D.Hennin, Doug Holden, G.Bromilow, B.Birch, A.Bennett, R.Hazel, T.Albert.

11 fifth-place play-off Sutherland NL

21 April 1949 - Scotland 1 England 0 [0-0]ᴭᵀ
Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd, Utrecht (tbc)

England squad: H.Hunt, J.Ridler, F.Harrison, R.Reeves, J.Barrett, W.Sidney, G.Norman, R.Osman, D.Hennin, Doug Holden, G.Bromilow, B.Birch, A.Bennett, R.Hazel, T.Albert.

England are sixth in the FIFA Youth Tournament. France are the eventual winners.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

12 14 May 1949 - England 4 Ireland 2 [3-1]
Boothferry Park, Hull (21,000) Bromilow (3), Hazel
Forgrave, Lewis (pen) HW

England: H.Hunt, F.Harrisonᶜ, R.Reeves, J.Barrett, D.Hennin, G.Norman, J.Skull, G.Bromilow, R.Hazel, G.Lewington, A.Bennett. Reserves: R.Osman, T.Phillips.

The bumper crowd returned record youth international receipts of £2,100. Billy BIngham made a third Irish appearance against England, alongside Jimmy McIlroy, who won 55 caps over a 14-year full international career. Alan Bennett had made his league debut at the age of 17, two months earlier, for Port Vale in the third division (south).

England are runners-up with Wales in the second AYC. Scotland are the outright winners.

Season 1949-50

Class of 1950 (born after 31 August 1931 and before 1 September 1934 - either 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August 1950):
Division 1 debuts:
Jeff Whitefoot (Manchester United) 1950 - aged 16
John Atyeo (Portsmouth) 1950
Tony Marchi (Tottenham Hotspur) 1953 - England B captain (1957)
Peter Sillett (Chelsea) 1953
Don Campbell (Liverpool) 1953
Roy Dwight (Nottingham Forest) 1958
Andy Malcolm (West Ham United) 1958 - Football League XI (1958)
Tosh Chamberlain (Fulham) 1959
Full internationals: Peter Sillett aged 22 and John Atyeo (1955)
Under-23 internationals: Jeff Whitefoot (1954) aged 20, and John Atyeo aged 22 and Peter Sillett aged 21 (1955)
Ex-schoolboy internationals: Bryan Brennan (1947-48), Tony Marchi (1947), Arthur Evans (1947-48), Andy Malcolm (1948), and Tosh Chamberlain and Jeff Whitefoot (1949)
17-year-old in FIFA squad: Brennan, Campbell, Dwight, Evans, Malcolm, Marchi, Sillett, Whitefoot and Williams. Brennan celebrated his 17th birthday on the day of the quarter-final.
Missing details:
Birthdates - Ray Brown, Desmond Church, Bob Donaghy, Ken Seaborne, Danny Shreeve, J.Smailes (and first name)
Captain v. Ireland & in Tournament (Sillett?)

u/o 7 January 1950 -
Tottenham Hotspur FC Youth vs. FA Youth XI [-]
White Hart Lane, Tottenham (tbc) A

FA Youth XI: A.Evans, R.Dennison, R.Jennings, R.Donaghy, D.Barleyᶜ, R.Mollatt, K.Seaborne, R.Brown, B.Brennan, R.Hunt. D.Church. Reserves: D.Campbell, A.Malcolm, J.Williams, W.Bell.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

13 4 February 1950 - England 7 Scotland 1 [3-1]
Brunton Park, Carlisle (10,000) Atyeo (2), McLean OG, Brown (2), Skull (2)
Grierson
HW

England: A.Evans, D.Campbell, R.Jennings, R.Donaghy, D.Barleyᶜ, A.Marchi, J.Skull, R.Brown, B.Brennan, John Atyeo, D.Church. Reserves: K.Mawson, J.Williams.

Four goals in the first ten minutes set the tone, and England ran out comfortable winners.

14 26 February 1950 - England 1 Wales 0 [1-0]
St. George's Lane, Worcester (6,000) Brennan HW

England: A.Evans, D.Campbell, R.Jennings, R.Donaghy, D.Barleyᶜ, A.Marchi, J.Skull, R.Brown, B.Brennan, John Atyeo, A.Amphlett. Reserves: K.Mawson, J.Williams.

15 6 May 1950 - Ireland 1 England 0 [1-0]
Solitude, Belfast (6,000) Walker AL

England: A.Evans, D.Campbell, Peter Sillett, A.Malcolm, J.Smailes, A.Marchi, K.Seaborne, D.Shreeve, B.Brennan, John Atyeo, T.Chamberlain. Reserves: R.Donaghy, J.Williams.

Ireland's victory, their first in open play against England, drew receipts of £347, but the win was not enough to stop England from regaining the championship on goal average from Scotland and Ireland, who needed another five goals to wrest the title from them.

England are winners by virtue of a better goal average in the third AYC.

FIFA Youth Tournament in Austria

16 quarter-final

25 May 1950 - Luxembourg 2 England 1 [1-1]
Bundesspielplatz Schönbrunn, Wien (500) Gangolf, Bidinger
Brennan NL

England: R.Baker, J.Williams, Peter Sillett, A.Malcolm, A.Marchi, J.Smailes, J.Whitefoot, K.Seaborne, R.Dwight, John Atyeo, R.Brown.

17 fifth-place play-off

26 May 1950 - Switzerland 1 England 2 [1-1]ᴭᵀ
Sportplatz Alte Au, Stockerau (2,500) Mauron
Eschmann OG, Marchi NW

England: A.Evans, D.Campbell, Peter Sillett, A.Malcolm, A.Marchi, J.Smailes, J.Whitefoot, K.Seaborne, B.Brennan, John Atyeo, R.Brown.

England are fifth in the third FIFA Youth Tournament. Austria are the eventual winners.

Season 1950-51

Class of 1951 (born after 31 August 1932 and before 1 September 1935 - either 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August 1951):
Division 1 debuts:
Albert Cheesebrough (Burnley) 1952
Vic Groves (Tottenham Hotspur) 1952 - England B international (1955), Young England XI v. England (1957)
Frank Blunstone (Chelsea) 1953
Derek Stonehouse (Middlesbrough) 1954
Ron Saunders (Everton) 1955
Gordon Jago (Charlton Athletic) 1955
Reserve, Johnny Haynes (Fulham) 1959
Johnny Watkins (Cardiff City) 1959
Full internationals: Johnny Haynes (1954) aged 19 and Frank Blunstone (1954) aged 20
Under-23 internationals: Frank Blunstone (1954) aged 19, Johnny Haynes (1955) aged 20, and Vic Groves and Albert Cheesebrough, aged 21 (1956)
Amateur internationals: Vic Groves (1952)
Ex-schoolboy internationals: Gerry Crickson (1949), Johnny Haynes and Malcolm Spencer (1949-50) and Peter Vickers (1949)
17-year-old in FIFA squad: Atkins, Bennett, Brown, Knott, Lockwood, Mills and Watkins.
16-year-old in FIFA squad: Boseley.
Missing details:
Scotland scorer
Line-up v. Netherlands
Birthdates - Gerald Atkins, David Bidois, Gordon Boseley, Clive Cavell, Brian Kelly, Ralph Lockwood, Neville Shaw, Malcolm Spencer

u/o 6 January 1951 -
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Youth 3 FA Youth XI 2 [-]
Molineux, Wolverhampton (10,000) Booth, Hodgkiss, Southern
Saunders, Atkins (pen) AL

Norman Deeley missed a penalty for Wolves

FA Youth XI: E.Thomas, W.Knott, N.Shaw, D.Bidois, G.Jagoᶜ, C.Cavell, D.Rossiter, R.Lockwood, R.Saunders, J.Watkins, T.Chamberlain. Reserves: D.Bowater, G.Atkins, D.Stonehouse, R.Mills, B.Kelly.

u/o 10 January 1951 -
Public Schools XI 2 FA Youth XI 2 [1-1]
Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington (tbc) Hayden, May
Kelly, Haynes ND

FA Youth XI: D.Bowater, R.Watts, G.Atkins, G.Lees, D.Stonehouse, A.Lloyd, R.Mills, E.Lucas (Johnny Haynes), D.Kelly, Frank Blunstoneᶜ, B.Kelly.

u/o 27 January 1951 -
Aston Villa FC Youth 1 FA Youth XI 1 [0-0]
Villa Park, Birmingham (tbc) Jeffries
Brown AD

FA Youth XI: E.Thomas, R.Watts, M.Spencer, G.Crickson, G.Jagoᶜ, C.Cavell, G.Brown, V.Groves, R.Saunders, Frank Blunstone, T.Chamberlain. Reserves: N.Shaw, F.Lucas, D.Emery.

Johnny Haynes and Dennis Emery were originally named in the starting line-up, but they were replaced by Groves and Saunders. Villa fielded a strong side, with over-age players, including 19-year-old Jackie Barrett, who had appeared for the England youth team, two years earlier.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

18 3 February 1951 - Scotland 1 England 6 [0-0]
Rugby Park, Kilmarnock (1,000)
Groves, Brown, Saunders (4) AW

England: E.Thomas, N.Shaw, M.Spencer, G.Crickson, G.Jagoᶜ, C.Cavell, G.Brown, V.Groves, R.Saunders, Frank Blunstone, B.Kelly. Reserves: W.Knott, Johnny Haynes.

Goalkeeper, Eddie Thomas had made his league debut for Southampton in the second division, four months earlier. Ron Saunders' impressive four-goal haul in the second half was his only contribution to his amateur international youth career, as he turned professional with Everton, shortly afterwards. Thirty years later, he famously led Aston Villa to the League Championship as manager, and then left them as they were on their way to the following year's historic European Cup win.

19 17 February 1951 - Wales 1 England 1 [0-0]
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (4,928) Nicholls
Groves AD

England: E.Thomas, N.Shaw, M.Spencer, G.Crickson, G.Jagoᶜ, C.Cavell, G.Brown, V.Groves, A.Cheesebrough, Frank Blunstone, P.Vickers. Reserve: R.Watts.

Vickers was a replacement for Kelly, who was originally named in the team. Receipts were £390.

FIFA Youth Tournament in France

20 quarter-final

22 March 1951 - Belgium 1 England 1 [0-0]ᴭᵀ
Belgium awarded the match on the toss of a coin
Stade des Hespérides, Cannes (1,020) Valkenborg
Jago ND

England: E.Thomas, N.Shaw, G.Atkins, D.Stonehouse, G.Jagoᶜ, C.Cavell, G.Brown, V.Groves, J.Watkins, G.Boseley, R.Mills.

21 supplementary round

24 March 1951 - Switzerland 1 England 3 [1-1]
Stade Municipal du Ray, Nice (2,236) Engel
Watkins, Mossi OG, Lockwood NW

England: E.Thomas, N.Shaw, G.Atkins, D.Bidois, G.Jagoᶜ, C.Cavell, R.Lockwood, R.Mills, V.Groves, J.Watkins, D.Bennett.

22 fifth-place play-off

26 March 1951 - England 2 Netherlands 1 [0-0]
Stade des Hespérides, Cannes (tbc) Lockwood, Watkins
Van der Kuil (pen) NW

England squad: E.Thomas, N.Shaw, G.Atkins, D.Stonehouse, G.Jagoᶜ, C.Cavell, G.Brown, V.Groves, R.Lockwood, J.Watkins, D.Bennett, D.Bidois, G.Boseley, W.Knott, R.Mills.

England are fifth in the fourth FIFA Youth Tournament. Yugoslavia are the eventual winners.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

23 5 May 1951 - England 5 Ireland 2 [1-0]
Anfield, Liverpool (tbc) Lockwood (2), Groves, Tomkys, Watkins
Pinkerton, McCormick HW

England: E.Thomas, N.Shaw, G.Atkins, D.Stonehouse, G.Jagoᶜ, C.Cavell, M.Tomkys, V.Groves, R.Lockwood, J.Watkins, D.Bennett. Reserves: W.Knott, Frank Blunstone.

England are the winners by virtue of a better goal average in the fourth AYC.

"Satisfactory progress can be reported from the nursery of senior football. Although England only secured fifth place in the International Youth Tournament, they had actually a better playing record than any of the competing teams except the winners, Yugoslavia - a good sign for the future." - The F.A. Yearbook 1951-52. p114

Season 1951-52

Class of 1952 (born after 31 August 1933 and before 1 September 1936 - either 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August 1952):
Top scorer: 9 - Alex Tait
Division 1 debuts:
Ray Parry (Bolton Wanderers) 1951 - aged 15
Miles Spector (Chelsea) 1953
John Spencer (Sheffield United) 1954
Nobby Clarke (Aston Villa) 1955
Alex Tait (Newcastle United) 1955
Wally Bellett and John Mortimore (Chelsea) 1956
Reserve, Ken Rea and John Tomlinson (Everton) 1956
Johnny Haynes (Fulham) 1959
John Laurel (Ipswich Town) 1963
Full internationals: Johnny Haynes (1954) aged 19 and Ray Parry (1959)
Under-23 internationals: Johnny Haynes (1955) aged 20 and Ray Parry (1957) aged 21
Amateur internationals: Miles Spector (1953) and John Mortimore (1957)
Ex-schoolboy internationals: Michael Charlton, Johnny Haynes and Malcolm Spencer (1949-50), Ray Parry (1950-51) and Michael Conroy (1951)
17-year-old in FIFA squad: Clarke, Haynes and Tomlinson.
16-year-old in FIFA squad: Laurel, Parry and Rossiter.
Missing details:
Birthdates - Ray Abrahams, Gerald Atkins, Michael Charlton, Michael Conroy, Peter Fairclough, John Fox, Cyril Hewitt, Peter Purchase, Bill Robinson, Malcolm Spencer
Captain v. Ireland

u/o 9 January 1952 -
Public Schools XI 0 FA Youth XI 9 [nk]
Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames (tbc) Sampson (3), Haynes (2), Rossiter (2), Charlton, Burbeck NW

FA Youth XI: J.Hollowbread, R.Watts, W.Bellett, R.Abrahams, J.Solomonᶜ, P.Purchase, D.Rossiter, M.Charlton, R.Sampson, Johnny Haynes, R.Burbeck. Reserves: C.Hewitt, R.Howieson, H.Wittear, R.Allen.

Ray Sampson was a replacement for a Welsh player, who had been selected by mistake, and the 16-year-old responded with a hat-trick, though he never won an international cap.

u/o 12 January 1952 -
Aston Villa FC Youth 3 FA Youth XI 5 [2-3]
Villa Park, Birmingham (tbc) Chapman, Hayes, Bullock
Spencer (2), Blunstone (2), Cheesebrough AD

FA Youth XI: D.Meeson, G.Atkinsᶜ, M.Spencer, E.Sanderson, J.Fox, N.Clarke, J.Tomlinson, Frank Blunstone, A.Tait, J.Spencer, A.Cheesebrough.

Sanderson replaced Colin Booth, who had originally been named in the line-up. Three of the FA's reserves reportedly played for Villa in the second half, and Nobby Clarke made one first-division appearance for Villa, three years later.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

24 23 February 1952 - England 6 Wales 0 [2-0]
Home Park, Plymouth (18,231) Tait (4), Burbeck, J.Spencer HW

England: C.Hewitt, G.Atkinsᶜ, M.Spencer, R.Abrahams, J.Fox, N.Clarke, J.Tomlinson, M.Charlton, A.Tait, J.Spencer, R.Burbeck. Reserves: R.Watts, J.Dickson.

England's youth internationals were awarded caps for the first time. In previous years they were presented with a commemorative badge.

25 15 March 1952 - England 3 Scotland 1 [0-0]
postponed from 2 February because of a frozen pitch
Roker Park, Sunderland (13,429) Tait, J.Spencer, Charlton
Caw HW

England: C.Hewitt, G.Atkinsᶜ, M.Spencer, R.Abrahams, J.Fox, N.Clarke, J.Tomlinson, M.Charlton, A.Tait, J.Spencer, R.Burbeck. Reserves: R.Watts, J.Dickson.

Jack Solomon and Ray Sampson had been the reserves for the postponed game.

FIFA Youth Tournament in Barcelona

26 quarter-final

13 April 1952 - Switzerland 0 England 4 [0-1]
Estadi de Sarrià, Barcelona (tbc) Tait (2), Dickson, Atkins (pen) NW

England: C.Hewitt, G.Atkinsᶜ, M.Spencer, R.Abrahams, J.Laurel, N.Clarke, D.Rossiter, J.Dickson, A.Tait, Johnny Haynes, R.Burbeck.

27 semi-final Basora, Abrahams OG, Duró, Collar
Burbeck AL

15 April 1952 - Spain 4 England 1 [3-1]
Camp de Les Corts, Barcelona (tbc)

England: C.Hewitt, G.Atkinsᶜ, M.Spencer, R.Abrahams, J.Laurel, N.Clarke, J.Tomlinson, Ray Parry, A.Tait, Johnny Haynes, R.Burbeck.

The FA recorded Clarke as England's goalscorer. He collapsed after the game, presumably from the heat, and was kept in hospital for 24 hours. Another Spanish source lists Tait as the scorer, whilst Tomlinson is also suggested as having scored the own goal. Ray Parry had become the youngest-ever player in the top flight, six months earlier.

28 third-place play-off Malik, Mesaros, Tuppy, Strobl, Isopp
Tait (2), Dickson (2), Tomlinson ND

17 April 1952 - Austria 5 England 5 [4-0]ᴭᵀ
Austria awarded the match on the toss of a coin
Campo de la calle Indústria, Barcelona (tbc)

England: C.Hewitt, G.Atkinsᶜ, R.Watts, R.Abrahams, J.Laurel, P.Purchase, J.Tomlinson, J.Dickson, A.Tait, Ray Parry, D.Rossiter.

Tait, and not Dickson, may have scored England's third goal, and Parry has also been credited with the dramatic equaliser. England were five goals behind from early in the second half. Extra time was twenty minutes in duration. Nine days later, 16-year-old Don Rossiter won the FA Amateur Cup in front of 100,000 at Wembley with Walthamstow Avenue. Though his footballing career had peaked, in 1985 he was Mayor of Rochester.

England are fourth in the fifth FIFA Youth Tournament. Spain are the eventual winners by virtue of a better goal average.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

29 19 April 1952 - Ireland 2 England 0 [0-0]
Solitude, Belfast (3,500) Boyd, McCaul AL

England: P.Fairclough, J.Spilsbury, W.Bellett, J.Mortimore, J.Fox, M.Conroy, W.Robinson, M.Charlton, Johnny Haynes, J.Spencer, M.Spector. Reserves: J.Solomon, K.Rea.

England had to lose by seven goals to prevent them from winning a third successive championship, and because of the FIFA tournament only finishing two days earlier in Barcelona, the Football Association picked an entirely different squad to travel to Belfast, with the sole exception of the talented 17-year-old Johnny Haynes, who had not played in the game against Austria. It was still a strong line-up, such was the depth of talent available to the selectors, but they were well beaten in their second successive defeat in Belfast.

England are the winners by virtue of a better goal average in the fifth AYC.

The Football Association introduced a new competition in 1952, the FA Youth Cup. The FA County Youth Cup had been introduced just after the war for local football associations' representative teams, but in an effort to encourage more clubs to develop their own talented youngsters, rather than pay large transfer fees to other clubs for their more experienced players, the new competition was designed to allow teams to field both amateur and professional players aged between 15 and 18, the same age criteria as for England's youth internationals, thus the only schoolboys included were those that had stayed in full-time education in the following academic year(s) after reaching the statutory leaving age of 15. It was dominated in its first five seasons by Manchester United, where manager Matt Busby's commitment to youth football and proven success with his policy, earned his players the celebrated nickname of the 'Busby Babes'.

Season 1952-53

Class of 1953 (born after 31 August 1934 and before 1 September 1937 - either 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August 1953):
Division 1 debuts:
Gerry Ward (Arsenal) 1953 - aged 16
Brian Harris (Everton) 1955
Glyn Jones (Sheffield United) 1956
Ken Heyes (Preston North End) 1960
Amateur internationals: Gerry Ward (1953) aged 16 and Paul Bates (1956)
Ex-schoolboy internationals: Ken Heyes (1951), Gerry Ward (1951-52) and Norman Sykes (1952)
17-year-old in FIFA squad: Armour, Favager, Gillott, Harris and Whitear.
16-year-old in FIFA squad: Cooper, Jones and Ward.
Missing details:
Line-ups v. West Germany & Republic of Ireland
Birthdates - Derek Armour, Peter Barnes, John Draper, David Evans, R.Goodwin (and first name), Roy Hurrell, John Knight, Johnny Smith, George Wilkinson

u/o 7 January 1953 -
Public Schools XI 0 FA Youth XI 10 [0-4]
Surrey Cricket Ground, Kennington (tbc) Bates (5), Beard (3), Smith, Oakley NW

FA Youth XI: J.Draper, R.Hurrell, J.Knight, J.Hampson, P.Peverellᶜ, T.Lemon, D.Oakley, D.Beard, P.Bates, J.Pearson, D.Smith.

u/o 10 January 1953 -
Leeds United FC Youth 1 FA Youth XI 3 [0-1]
Elland Road, Leeds (tbc) AW

FA Youth XI: .

Jack Charlton was in the Leeds team.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

30 7 February 1953 - Scotland 3 England 4 [1-0]
Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow (tbc) Cunningham, Innes, Smith
Clarke (2), Spencer, Jolley AW

England: D.Armour, K.Heyes, J.Knight, G.Wilkinson, O.Beeby, N.Clarkeᶜ, B.Harris, B.Punter, C.Jolley, J.Spencer, D.Smith. Reserves: P.Bates, P.Peverell.

Scotland were three goals up after 52 minutes, but England responded and scored four times in ten minutes. Other sources had Murray scoring twice, instead of Cunningham and Smith, and Spencer scoring a second, instead of Jolley's goal.

31 21 February 1953 - Wales 2 England 4 [0-2]
Vetch Field, Swansea (1,200) Marshall (2)
Punter, Bates (2), Sykes AW

England: J.Draper, K.Heyes, J.Knight, G.Wilkinson, J.Smith, N.Clarkeᶜ, B.Harris, B.Punter, P.Bates, N.Sykes, D.Smith.

Sykes was a late replacement for John Spencer, who had originally been selected. The scorer of both of Wales's goals, Marshall, had been accidentally selected by the Football Association for a youth trial in the previous year.

32 14 March 1953 - England 0 Ireland 0 [0-0]
Molineux, Wolverhampton (14,543) HD

England: D.Armour, R.Goodwin, P.Gillott, G.Wilkinson, J.Smithᶜ, D.Evans, B.Harris, B.Punter, C.Jolley, N.Sykes, L.Cooper. Reserves: J.Timmins, G.Jones.

England had only to avoid defeat to secure their fourth successive title, and brought in a number of younger players ready for the upcoming tournament, whereby FIFA had imposed a new age restriction, thus ending the international youth careers of all of those players who had already turned 18.

England are the winners of the sixth AYC.

FIFA Youth Tournament in Belgium Players must have been born on or after 1 April 1935.

33 round of 16

31 March 1953 - Belgium 0 England 2 [0-0]ᴭᵀ
Stade Oscar Bossaert, Bruxelles (tbc) Barnes (2) AW

England: D.Armour, R.Goodwin, P.Gillott, G.Wilkinson, J.Smithᶜ, A.Favager, B.Harris, J.Whitear, P.Barnes, N.Sykes, G.Ward.

34 quarter-final Djurini (pen)
Whitear ND

2 April 1953 - Yugoslavia 1 England 1 [1-0]ᴭᵀ
Yugoslavia awarded the match on the toss of a coin
Stade du Pairay, Seraing (tbc)

England: D.Armour, R.Goodwin, P.Gillott, G.Wilkinson, J.Smithᶜ, A.Favager, B.Harris, J.Whitear, P.Barnes, N.Sykes, L.Cooper.

35 fifth-place play-off semi-final Stürmer (pen)
Favager, Sykes, Ward NW

4 April 1953 - West Germany 1 England 3 [nk]
Gemeentelijk Parkstadion, Boom (tbc)

England squad: D.Armour, R.Goodwin, P.Gillott, G.Wilkinson, J.Smithᶜ, A.Favager, B.Harris, J.Whitear, P.Barnes, N.Sykes, G.Ward, L.Cooper, D.Evans, R.Hurrell, G.Jones.

36 fifth-place play-off final Harris, Barnes NW

5 April 1953 - England 2 Republic of Ireland 0 [1-0]
Den Dreef, Leuven (tbc)

England squad: D.Armour, R.Goodwin, P.Gillott, G.Wilkinson, J.Smithᶜ, A.Favager, B.Harris, J.Whitear, P.Barnes, N.Sykes, G.Ward, L.Cooper, D.Evans, R.Hurrell, G.Jones.

England are fifth in the sixth FIFA Youth Tournament. Hungary are the eventual winners.

FA YOUTH CUP FINAL 1953
First Leg: Monday, 4 May - Old Trafford, Manchester
MANCHESTER UNITED 7-1 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
McFarlane (2), Lewis (2), David Pegg, Scanlon, Whelan ~ Smith

Second Leg: Saturday, 9 May - Molineux, Wolverhampton
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 2-2 MANCHESTER UNITED
Smith (2) ~ Lewis, Whelan
Manchester United win 9-3 on aggregate.

England youth internationals:
Manchester United: None.
(Clayton in 1954)
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Len Cooper, Brian Punter (first leg only) and John Timmins.

Future England full internationals:
Manchester United: Duncan Edwards and David Pegg.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Eddie Clamp.

The Football Association appear to have changed their age criteria for the youth team for the 1953-54 season, partly to align with the FIFA Youth Tournament, who were now allowing players reaching 18 in 1954 to be included, rather than just those from April onwards, as in the previous year. England did not select any players that had already turned 18 by the end of 1953 in either of the two competitions that they entered. They did not, however, restrict their squads in the Amateur Youth Championship to the same younger age limit as FIFA, who were now excluding those players not turning 17 until the following season.

Season 1953-54

Class of 1954 (born after 31 December 1935 and before 1 September 1938 - (either 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August 1954)):
Division 1 debuts:
Wilf McGuinness (Manchester United) 1955
Tony Gregory (Luton Town) 1956
Bobby Charlton (Manchester United) 1956
Mickey Lill (Wolverhampton Wanderers) 1957
Jack Keeley (Everton) 1957
Colin Osmond (Portsmouth) 1957
Reserve, Roy Goulden (Arsenal) 1959
Derek Lampe (Fulham) 1959
Full internationals: Bobby Charlton and Wilf McGuinness (1958), both aged 20
Under-23 internationals: Bobby Charlton and Wilf McGuinness (1958), both aged 20
Ex-schoolboy internationals: Jack Keeley (1951-52), Tony Barton and Roy Goulden (1952), Wilf McGuinness (1952-53) and Bobby Charlton (1953)
17-year-old in FIFA squad: Barton, Higgs, Hillsdon, Jarrold, Keeley and Lill.
16-year-old in FIFA squad: Campbell, Gregory, Lampe and Osmond.
Missing details:
Line-ups in Tournament (v. Northern Ireland, West Germany, Luxembourg & Portugal)

u/o 9 January 1954 -
Fulham FC Youth 5 FA Youth XI 0 [-]
Craven Cottage, Fulham (tbc) Chamberlain (3), Ashen (2) AL

FA Youth XI (unconfirmed): G.Cakebread, R.Yeatman, L.Garrett, M.Evans, D.Lampe, C.Osmond, C.Usmar, R.Wootton, A.Gregory, R.Wyton.

Tosh Chamberlain, an England youth international, four years earlier, sank the trialists with a hat-trick. 16-year-old Derek Lampe was playing against the club where he was a member of the groundstaff, and he had also played for Fulham in the London Challenge Cup.

u/o 9 January 1954 -
Manchester City FC Youth 3 FA Youth XI 2 [-]
Maine Road, Manchester (tbc) AL

FA Youth XI (unconfirmed): C.Brodie, C.Platts, I.Hillsdon, R.Campbell, K.Higgs, C.Appleton, C.Barlow, G.Jones, A.Minton, P.Egan, N.Rucker.

u/o 25 January 1954 -
Worcester City FC Youth 5 FA Youth XI 6 [-]
St George's Lane, Worcester (tbc) Whittington, Wyton (2), Moir, Spencer
Gregory (2), Wootton, Minton, Jones (2) AW

FA Youth XI: G.Cakebread, C.Platts, I.Hillsdon, M.Evans, K.Higgs, C.Osmond, R.Wootton, G.Jones, A.Minton, A.Gregory, N.Rucker.

In the original line-up, Bobby Campbell was captain and Derek Lampe was also in the side. They were replaced by Evans and Higgs. Barlow, Campbell, Garrett, Leeke, Usmar and Wyton guested for the home team in order to see as many trialists in action, as possible.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

37 6 February 1954 - England 2 Scotland 1 [1-1]
Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough (7,000) Wootton, Minton
Tennent HW

England: A.Leeke, C.Plattsᶜ, I.Hillsdon, M.Evans, K.Higgs, C.Osmond, R.Wootton, G.Jones, A.Minton, A.Gregory, N.Rucker. Reserves: L.Garrett. C.Usmar.

Maurice Evans made his only international youth appearance, but 32 years later, he was manager of Oxford United when they won their only major trophy, the Milk Cup.

38 20 February 1954 - England 2 Wales 1 [0-0]
Baseball Ground, Derby (12,966) Gregory, Wootton
Wood HW

Gregory also missed a penalty

England: G.Cakebread, C.Plattsᶜ, I.Hillsdon, R.Campbell, D.Lampe, C.Osmond, R.Wootton, G.Jones, A.Minton, A.Gregory, N.Rucker. Reserves: K.Higgs, C.Usmar.

George Smith became the team's coach for the rest of the season.

u/o 22 March 1954 -
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Youth 4 FA Youth XI 1 [1-0]
Molineux, Wolverhampton (tbc) Mason, Round, Murray, Bonson
Rucker AL

FA Youth XI: G.Cakebread, C.Platts, I.Hillsdon, R.Campbellᶜ, K.Higgs, C.Osmond, R.Wootton, G.Jones, A.Minton, A.Gregory, N.Rucker. Reserve: C.Usmar.

Two of the previous year's youth internationals, Len Cooper and John Timmins, played for Wolves.

FIFA Youth Tournament in West Germany Players must have been born on or after 1 January 1936 and before 1 September 1937.

39 group four

10 April 1954 - England 5 Northern Ireland 0 [1-0]
Schlossparkstadion, Brühl (tbc) Lill, Barton (2), Jarrold, Rucker NW

England squad: G.Cakebread, A.Leeke, C.Platts, G.Burgess, I.Hillsdon, L.Garrett, R.Campbellᶜ, K.Higgs, C.Osmond, D.Lampe, M.Lill, R.Wootton, G.Jones, A.Gregory, N.Rucker, A.Barton, J.Keeley, B.Jarrold.

16-year-old Wilf McGuinness had to withdraw from the squad when it was discovered that he was too young. He was replaced by Burgess.

40 11 April 1954 - Hungary 3 England 1 [2-0]
Rheinstadion, Düsseldorf (20,000) Kariko (2), Campbell OG
Gregory NL

England: G.Cakebread, C.Platts, I.Hillsdon, R.Campbellᶜ, K.Higgs, M.Lill, A.Barton, J.Keeley, B.Jarrold, A.Gregory, N.Rucker.

Tony Barton achieved a spectacular success in 1982 when, after just three months as a manager, he led Aston Villa to their historic European Cup win.

41 13 April 1954 - England 1 Saar 1 [1-1]
Kampfbahn Rote Erde, Dortmund (tbc) Gregory
Vollmar ND

England: G.Cakebread, G.Burgess, I.Hillsdon, R.Campbellᶜ, K.Higgs, M.Lill, R.Wootton, G.Jones, A.Gregory, J.Keeley, N.Rucker.

Gerald Burgess appears to have been a late addition to the squad, as he was not included amongst the 18 players originally announced. The Saar team was coached by West Germany's 1974 World Cup-winning manager, Helmut Schön, who also led them to the 1966 final, at Wembley, and to the European Championship in 1972.

42 15 April 1954 - West Germany 2 England 2 [nk]
Glückauf-Kampfbahn, Gelsenkirchen (26,000) Seeler (2)
Lill, Gregory AD

England squad: G.Cakebread, A.Leeke, C.Platts, I.Hillsdon, L.Garrett, R.Campbellᶜ, K.Higgs, C.Osmond, D.Lampe, M.Lill, R.Wootton, G.Jones, A.Gregory, N.Rucker, A.Barton, J.Keeley, B.Jarrold.

Two-goal scorer Uwe Seeler was to crop up again at senior level, captaining West Germany in the 1966 World Cup Final, and heading a dramatic equaliser against England to send the 1970 World Cup quarter-final into extra time, when England's reign as world champions came to an end.

43 ninth-place play-off semi-final

17 April 1954 - Luxembourg 2 England 0 [nk]
Ahrstadion Ascheplatz, Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler (tbc) Schaack (2) NL

England squad: G.Cakebread, A.Leeke, C.Platts, I.Hillsdon, L.Garrett, R.Campbellᶜ, K.Higgs, C.Osmond, D.Lampe, M.Lill, R.Wootton, G.Jones, A.Gregory, N.Rucker, A.Barton, J.Keeley, B.Jarrold.

44 eleventh-place play-off

18 April 1954 - England 0 Portugal 2 [0-1]
Poststadion, Bonn (tbc) Constantino, Silva NL

England squad: G.Cakebread, A.Leeke, C.Platts, I.Hillsdon, L.Garrett, R.Campbellᶜ, K.Higgs, C.Osmond, D.Lampe, M.Lill, R.Wootton, G.Jones, A.Gregory, N.Rucker, A.Barton, J.Keeley, B.Jarrold.

Reuter gave Portugal's second goal to Ferreira.

England are twelfth in the seventh FIFA Youth Tournament. Spain are the eventual winners.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

45 8 May 1954 - Ireland 2 England 2 [1-1]
Castlereagh Park, Newtownards (2,000) Campbell (2)
Charlton, Gregory AD

England: G.Cakebread, C.Platts, R.Fergey, Wilf McGuinnessᶜ, D.Lampe, M.Lill, B.Jarrold, Bobby Charlton, T.Craddock, A.Gregory, N.Rucker. Reserves: K.Higgs, R.Goulden.

After missing out on the FIFA tournament because of his age, McGuinness made a belated debut as captain. England had to come from behind twice to secure their fifth successive title, as the Irish, unbeaten in two years of the competition, again just failed to dislodge them from the top. A 16-year-old Bobby Charlton made his only England youth appearance, and unsurprisingly, found the net. Five months later, turning 17, he signed his first professional contract with Manchester United. Goalkeeper, Gerry Cakebread appeared twice on the substitutes' bench for the under-23s, but could not add to his youth cap.

England are the winners of the seventh AYC.

FA YOUTH CUP FINAL 1954
First Leg: Friday, 23 April - Old Trafford, Manchester
MANCHESTER UNITED 4-4 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Duncan Edwards (2), David Pegg (2 (1 pen)) ~ Bonson, Murray, Mason, Fallon

Second Leg: Monday, 26 April - Molineux, Wolverhampton
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 0-1 MANCHESTER UNITED
David Pegg (pen)
Manchester United win 5-4 on aggregate.

England youth internationals:
Manchester United: None.
(Charlton and McGuinness in May, and Hawksworth in 1955)
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Len Cooper and John Timmins.

Future England full internationals:
Manchester United: Bobby Charlton, Duncan Edwards, Wilf McGuinness and David Pegg.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: None.

Up to this point, England's youth internationals had been exclusively for amateur players and they were usually recommended to the selection committee by their local football association. Some were already on the books of Football League clubs, typically employed as groundstaff, but playing for the club's youth team as an amateur. If they were talented enough, they would sign on professional terms when they reached 17 years of age and thus, became ineligible for future England youth internationals, but leading on from the success of the FA Youth Cup, the Football Association decided to introduce international friendly matches that would include those players already signed on professional terms with league clubs. Thus began a period of two distinct England youth teams; one for amateurs only, and the other for all eligible youths (either professional or amateur). It was also decided that the age criteria would revert to that prior to the previous season for the international matches that included professional players, so if they were turning 18 before the turn of the year, they were still eligible to play.

In a bewildering third-successive year of change to the age criteria for the FIFA Youth Tournament, not only were the knockout stages removed to create a less-competitive environment for the youngsters, but they were now including those players that had turned 18 before the turn of the year, in a reversal of the previous year's change. This effectively created a third separate England youth team, for slightly-older amateurs (16 plus eight months to almost 19, rather than 15 to 18 plus eight months).

Season 1954-55

Class of 1955 (born after 31 August 1936 and before 1 September 1939 - (either 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August 1955)):
* Amateur class of 1955 (born after 31 December 1936 and before 1 September 1939 - Amateur Youth Championship only, see below for FIFA criteria)
Top scorer: 7 - Brian Munday
Division 1 debuts:
Duncan Edwards (Manchester United) 1953 - aged 16
Alan Woods (Tottenham Hotspur) 1954
*Brian Birch (Bolton Wanderers) 1954 - aged 16
Barrie Thomas (Leicester City) 1954
*Peter Brabrook (Chelsea) 1955
Harry Middleton (Wolverhampton Wanderers) 1956
Peter Swan (Sheffield Wednesday) 1956
*Tony Hawksworth (Manchester United) 1956
*Colin Tether (Wolverhampton Wanderers) 1957
Gordon Clayton (Manchester United) 1957
*Len Worley (Charlton Athletic) 1957
*Howard Riley (Leicester City) 1957
*John Petts (Arsenal) 1958
*Chuck Drury (West Bromwich Albion) 1958
*Jackie Swindells (Blackburn Rovers) 1959
*Alan Collier (Luton Town) 1959
Full internationals: Duncan Edwards (1955) aged 18, Peter Brabrook (1958) aged 20 and Peter Swan (1960)
Under-23 internationals: Duncan Edwards (1954) aged 17, Alick Jeffrey (1956) aged 17, Peter Brabrook (1957) aged 19, Howard Riley (1958) aged 19 and Peter Swan (1959)
Amateur internationals: Alick Jeffrey (1955) aged 16, Len Worley (1957) aged 19 and John Valentine (1958)
Ex-schoolboy internationals: Duncan Edwards (1950-52), Gordon Clayton and Alan Woods (1952), Tony Hawksworth (1952-53), Geoff Tate, Alan Collier, Ken Nicholas and Brian Birch (1953) and Alick Jeffrey (1954)
17-year-old in FIFA squad: Collier, Cooke, Hawksworth, Nicholas, Swindells and Worley.
16-year-old in FIFA squad: Birch, Riley and Tether. Birch celebrated his 17th birthday during the tournament.
Missing details:
Birthdates: J.Doyle (and first name), Brian Munday, Martin Packham, Johnny Roach, John Valentine
Line-up v. Saar
Saar scorer

   7 September 1954: George Smith
in charge of the professional youth matches only.
The Youth Selection Committee maintained control over the amateur matches.

u/o 18 October 1954 -
England 1 The Rest 1 [0-1]
Meadow Lane, Nottingham (tbc) Barton
Laverick ND

England: L.Dodds, A.Claypole, I.Hillsdon, A.Woods, Peter Swan, W.Asprey, A.Barton, B.Wright, D.Cooper, B.Thomas, P.Kerrins.
The Rest: G.Clayton, J.Roach, R.Ferguson, Tony Kay (R.Campbell), D.Gormley, Wilf McGuinness, G.Place, G.Ward, A.Middleton, M.Setters (R.Saxby), R.Laverick.

Duncan Edwards was originally selected for the England team, but he had been chosen to represent the Football League against the Irish League, two days later, and his place in this trial match went to Asprey, whilst David Kerry, an amateur in The Rest team, was replaced by Setters.

u/o 8 November 1954 -
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Youth 1 FA Youth XI 0 [0-0]
Molineux, Wolverhampton (tbc) Cooper AL

FA Youth XI: G.Clayton, J.Roach, I.Hillsdon, A.Woods, D.Lampe, Duncan Edwards, A.Barton, B.Wright, A.Middleton, D.Kerry, R.Laverick. Reserves: W.Asprey, R.Campbell, B.Thomas.

The youth team of the Football League champions attacked the England trailists with long balls and long throws, but the only goal came from former England youth international, Len Cooper at the start of the second half. Another ex-youth international, Mickey Lill was his team-mate, both of whom were still 18, but turning 19 at the end of the season.

Friendly match

46 21 November 1954 - Netherlands 3 England 2 [0-0]
Vitesse Stadium, Arnhem (11,000) Rutten, Vreeken, Lenz
Laverick, Barton AL

England: G.Clayton, J.Roach, I.Hillsdonᶜ, A.Woods, Peter Swan, Duncan Edwards, A.Barton, B.Wright, H.Middleton, B.Thomas, R.Laverick. Reserves: R.Campbell, D.Kerry.

Kerry was named in the original line-up but was swapped with Thomas, who had been a reserve. This left Laverick, at 16, as the only amateur in the side. Woods had already made five appearances for Tottenham Hotspur in the first division, though he would make only one more, later in the season. The incredible talent that was Duncan Edwards made his only England youth appearance, but he had already made 42 appearances in the first division for Manchester United, having to miss his first league game of the season, because of this international, played on the day after it. He had represented both the England under-23s and the B team in the previous season, at the age of 17. By the end of the current season, he would be a full international. Barton and captain, Hillsdon had appeared as amateurs in the previous season, but it was a disappointing debut for England's first professional youth team.
With thanks to Ivan Todd for correcting the line-up.

u/o 4 January 1955 -
AFA Public Schools XI vs. FA Youth XI
Lynn Road, Ilford Postponed (possibly) AL

FA Youth XI: P.Goy, J.Rumney, B.Askell, B.Skingley, J.Nicholls, J.Petts, B.Sluman, M.Pyke, D.Leck, A.Nicholas, R.Laverick. Reserves: G.Plaskett, R.King.

It is likely that this game was cancelled due to the weather, but this has yet to be confirmed.

u/o 8 January 1955 -
England 3 The Rest 1 [1-1]
Filbert Street, Leicester (3,000) D.Jackson, Riley, Nicholas
Kerry NW

England: A.Hawksworth, J.Valentine, C.Tether, M.Collins, S.Billington, P.Jackson, H.Riley, D.Jackson, B.Munday, A.Nicholas, J.Love.
The Rest: A.Collier, D.Sisson, K.Nicholas, B.Hill, R.Long, B.Winterborn, J.Bazley, Peter Brabrook, P.Beresford, D.Kerry, P.Phoenix. Reserves: D.Gormley, J.Duncan.

15-year-old Alick Jeffrey had been selected for the trial, but he was recalled by his club, Doncaster Rovers, for an FA Cup tie, though he did not play in the end. He was replaced by Nicholas in England's team, who fielded twin brothers, David and Peter Jackson. Collins was a replacement for Chuck Drury for England, whilst Dick McCartney withdrew from The Rest, and Beresford came in.

u/o 29 January 1955 -
Arsenal FC Youth 3 FA Youth XI 1 [-]
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury (tbc)
Riley AL

FA Youth XI: A.Hawksworth, A.Simmonds, C.Tether, B.Hill, S.Billington, J.Petts, H.Riley, J.Doyle, R.McCartney, D.Jackson, J.Love. Reserve: D.Kerry.

Alick Jeffrey was again withdrawn by his club, Doncaster Rovers, though this time he played, on his 16th birthday, against Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round. and was replaced by Jackson. Peter Brabrook was also selected, but was replaced by Doyle. The Arsenal team included three England youth trialists, including Brian Munday.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

47 19 February 1955 - Wales 2 England 7 [0-7]
Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven (tbc) Slocombe (2)
Jeffrey (3), Munday (3), Brabrook AW

England: A.Hawksworth, J.Valentine, K.Nicholas, C.Drury, S.Billingtonᶜ, J.Petts, H.Riley, Peter Brabrook, B.Munday, A.Jeffrey, J.Love. Reserves: C.Tether, D.Kerry.

Despite missing two trial matches, 16-year-old Alick Jeffrey was picked for his youth international debut. He had made 15 first-team appearances for Doncaster Rovers, and scored three times in five FA Cup ties against Aston Villa, as the lowly-second-division club knocked them out, four days earlier. Whilst the teenage goal-machine was scoring a first-half hat-trick, his club were losing to Birmingham City in the next round, having surprisingly agreed to release him for the game. Sadly, he was to break his leg playing for England's under-23s in the following year and his massive potential was effectively destroyed.

48 5 March 1955 - Scotland 4 England 3 [0-0]
Rugby Park, Kilmarnock (tbc) Catterson (3), Lawlor
Munday, Brabrook, Jeffrey AL

England: A.Hawksworth, J.Valentine, C.Tether, A.Hall, S.Billingtonᶜ, J.Petts, H.Riley, Peter Brabrook, B.Munday, A.Jeffrey, J.Love. Reserves: K.Nicholas, D.Kerry.

Peter Catterson's hat-trick in a frantic second half ultimately ended England's run of five successive titles. Chuck Drury was initially selected, but he had signed on as a professional with West Bromwich Albion, and was replaced by Hall.

u/o 16 March 1955 -
Portsmouth FC Youth 1 FA Youth XI 3 [-]
Fratton Park, Portsmouth (tbc)
AW

FA Youth XI: A.Collier, J.Valentine, K.Nicholas, M.Packham, D.Gormley, J.Swindells, B.Birch, D.Kerry, B.Munday, P.Deakin, P.Phoenix.

FIFA Youth Tournament in Tuscany in Italy Players must have been born on or after 1 September 1936 and before 1 September 1938.

49 group E

7 April 1955 - Czechoslovakia 1 England 0 [1-0]
Stadio Porta Elisa, Lucca (2,000) Obert NL

England: A.Hawksworth, J.Valentine, K.Nicholas, J.Swindells, S.Billingtonᶜ, B.Cooke, H.Riley, D.Jackson, B.Munday, D.Kerry, B.Birch.

England were beaten by a fourth-minute goal. Brian Birch had already appeared twice in the first division for Bolton Wanderers. His 17th birthday was two days away.

50 9 April 1955 - Saar 1 England 3 [1-2]
Stadio Lungobisenzio, Prato (tbc) (pen)
Munday (3) NW

England squad: A.Hawksworth, A.Collier, J.Valentine, C.Tether, K.Nicholas, J.Swindells, S.Billingtonᶜ, M.Packham, B.Cooke, J.Doyle, B.Birch, L.Worley, D.Kerry, B.Munday, H.Riley, D.Jackson.

51 11 April 1955 - Switzerland 0 England 0 [0-0]
Stadio Comunale, Firenze (tbc) ND

England: A.Hawksworth, J.Valentine, C.Tether, M.Packham, S.Billingtonᶜ, K.Nicholas, L.Worley, D.Jackson, B.Munday, J.Doyle, B.Birch.

England are runners-up in Group E of the eighth FIFA Youth Tournament.
No semi-finals and final played "to prevent an excess of competition".

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

52 14 May 1955 - England 3 Northern Ireland 0 [3-0]
Vicarage Road, Watford (7,000) Doyle (2), Jeffrey HW

England missed two penalties in the second half. Howard Riley shot wide in the 77th minute and the second, two minutes from the end, was saved by Dobbin from Alick Jeffrey.

England: A.Collier, J.Valentine, K.Nicholas, M.Packham, S.Billingtonᶜ, J.Swindells, H.Riley, G.Tate, A.Jeffrey, J.Doyle, D.Kerry. Reserve: C.Tether.

Alick Jeffrey returned to the team, having been too young to play in the FIFA Youth Tournament, but he had won his first England amateur cap, six days earlier, against France in Brest.

England are the runners-up to Scotland in the eighth AYC.

FA YOUTH CUP FINAL 1955
First Leg: Wednesday, 27 April - Old Trafford, Manchester
MANCHESTER UNITED 4-1 WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Bobby Charlton, Colman (2), Duncan Edwards ~ Hughes

Second Leg: Saturday, 30 April - The Hawthorns, West Bromwich
WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0-3 MANCHESTER UNITED
Beckett, Colman (2)
Manchester United win 7-1 on aggregate.

England youth internationals:
Manchester United: Bobby Charlton, Duncan Edwards, Tony Hawksworth and Wilf McGuinness.
(Jones (second leg only) in October)
West Bromwich Albion: Barry Cooke and Chuck Drury.
(Setters in 1956)

Future England full internationals:
Manchester United: Bobby Charlton, Duncan Edwards and Wilf McGuinness.
(Edwards had won his first full cap, four weeks earlier)
West Bromwich Albion: None.

For the 1955-56 season, the Amateur Youth Championship now seemed to align its age criteria with that of the professional youth internationals, so once again, players that had turned 18 before the turn of the year were included. Of the birthdates that we have been able to find, however, only one player fitted into this category, and he was only two days older than the cut-off point used in the previous year. One other older player (born in September 1937) was only used as a reserve.

Season 1955-56

Class of 1956 (born after 31 August 1937 and before 1 September 1940 - (either 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August 1956)):
* Amateur class of 1956 (same age criteria, apart from in FIFA Youth Tournament - see below)
Top scorer: 5 - David Bennett
Division 1 debuts:
Wilf McGuinness (Manchester United) 1955
*Joe Dean (Bolton Wanderers) 1956 - aged 16
*Bert Llewellyn (Everton) 1956
Tony Nicholas (Chelsea) 1956
*Chris Crowe (Leeds United) 1956
*John Barnwell (Arsenal) 1957
Peter Jones (Manchester United) 1957
*John Petts (Arsenal) 1958
Alan Collier (Luton Town) 1959
*Reserve Harry Obeney (West Ham United) 1959
*Johnny Byrne (West Ham United) 1962
*Terry McDonald (Leyton Orient) 1962
Jimmy Melia (Liverpool) 1962
Ron Bradley (West Bromwich Albion) 1962
Alan Peacock (Leeds United) 1965
*George Curtis (Coventry City) 1967
Full internationals: Wilf McGuinness (1958) aged 20, Johnny Byrne (1961) aged 22, Alan Peacock and Chris Crowe (1962) and Jimmy Melia (1963)
Under-23 internationals: Wilf McGuinness (1958) and Chris Crowe (1959), both aged 20, Johnny Byrne (1961) aged 21 and John Barnwell (1961) aged 22
Amateur internationals: Bob Thursby (1957)
Ex-schoolboy internationals: Wilf McGuinness (1952-53), Alan Collier, Ken Nicholas, Ron Saxby and Jimmy Melia (1953) and Joe Dean, Barry Staton and David Bennett (1954)
17-year-old in FIFA squad: Barnwell, Bennett, Llewellyn, McDonald, Petts and Staton.
16-year-old in FIFA squad: Byrne, Crowe, Dean and Ricketts.
Missing details:
Birthdates: John Bailey, Terry Greaves, Peter Smith

   23 August 1955: George Curtis
in charge of the professional youth matches only.
The Youth Selection Committee maintained control over the amateur matches.

Friendly matches

53 1 October 1955 - England 9 Denmark 2 [nk]
Home Park, Plymouth (16,000) Højberg OG, A.Nicholas (3), Peacock (2), Melia (2), Hansen OG
Petersen, E.Nielsen HW

England: A.Collier, R.Bradley, K.Nicholas, Wilf McGuinnessᶜ, E.Jones, B.Cooke, R.Saxby, Jimmy Melia, Alan Peacock, A.Nicholas, F.Bunce.

24 hours after the original team had been announced, Alick Jeffrey and Pat Neil were withdrawn by the Football Association, because they had already been capped by the England amateur team, as they wanted to give the opportunity to players with less experience. They were replaced by Bunce and Tony Nicholas. After captaining the amateur youth team at the age of 16 in 1954, Manchester United's double-FA Youth Cup winner, Wilf McGuinness, who was to make his first-division debut, a week later, returned to lead them to a record victory, the first for the professionals' youth team. Collier, in goal, Cooke and Ken Nicholas had all appeared in the previous season as amateurs, but Bradley was the only amateur in this team. It was alternatively reported that Hansen put the ball into his own net twice.

54 5 November 1955 - England 3 Netherlands 1 [2-1]
Carrow Road, Norwich (tbc) Peacock, De Haas OG, Melia
Buys HW

England: A.Collier, R.Bradley, K.Nicholas, Wilf McGuinnessᶜ, E.Jones, B.Cooke, R.Saxby, Jimmy Melia, Alan Peacock, A.Nicholas, F.Bunce. Reserves: A.Hawksworth, J.Petts, B.Webb.

u/o 3 December 1955 -
Bristol Rovers FC Youth 1 FA Youth XI 4 [-]
Eastville Stadium, Bristol (tbc) AW

FA Youth XI: M.Turner, A.Maidment, T.Condon, G.Ricketts, M.Bowerman, T.Carter, D.Webb, J.Bailey, J.Fowkes, R.French, R.Neal.

u/o 7 January 1956 -
England 4 The Rest 0 [1-0]
Baseball Ground, Derby (tbc) Byrne, Llewellyn (3) NW

England: J.Dean, T.Greaves, P.Smith, R.Thursby, B.Staton, J.Petts, B.Newman, Johnny Byrne, H.Llewellyn, B.O'Connell, D.Bennett.
The Rest: J.Robinson, J.Chambers, D.Tharme, G.Ricketts, M.Bowerman, M.Saul, Chris Crowe, J.Bailey, J.Fowkes, F.Hinton, T.McDonald. Reserves: G.Aldwinckle, K.Haines, F.Millington.

u/o 11 January 1956 -
AFA Schools XI 4 FA Youth XI 1 [1-0]
The Lensbury, Richmond upon Thames (tbc) Vaughan (2), Ryan (2)
Simmons NL

FA Youth XI: B.Green, Ken Shellito, K.Marshall, R.Feist, J.Shears, B.Dellar, C.Spriggs, B.Bolton, T.Farley, R.Simmons, W.Denton.

Following the heavy defeats suffered by the Public Schools earlier in the decade and the general decline in quality, the Football Association introduced an annual Schools Week, also inviting Advanced Level Grammar School pupils, aged up to 18, for coaching, culminating in meetings with amateur, university and youth teams. The Amateur Football Alliance then widened the selection to face the FA Youth team with a combined representative team of Grammar School and Public School boys.

u/o 28 January 1956 -
Sheffield United FC Youth 1 FA Youth XI 5 [0-1]
Bramall Lane, Sheffield (tbc) Woodcock
Byrne, Llewellyn (2), Bailey, +1 AW

FA Youth XI: J.Dean, T.Greaves, P.Smith, G.Ricketts, B.Statonᶜ, J.Petts, Chris Crowe, J.Bailey, H.Llewellyn, Johnny Byrne, T.McDonald.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

55 18 February 1956 - England 5 Wales 1 [2-1]
Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury (7,408) Greaves, Bennett, Barnwell, Byrne, Llewellyn
Lucas HW

England: J.Dean, T.Greaves, P.Smith, G.Ricketts, B.Statonᶜ, J.Petts, Chris Crowe, Johnny Byrne, H.Llewellyn, J.Barnwell, D.Bennett. Reserves: R.Thursby, J.Bailey.

Joe Dean had become the youngest-ever first-division goalkeeper, four days earlier, for Bolton Wanderers, but conceded four goals to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Chris Crowe had played at Wembley, two years earlier, for Scotland Schoolboys against England.

56 3 March 1956 - England 2 Scotland 2 [1-1]
Deepdale, Preston (10,000) Barnwell, Staton
Alexander, Stevenson HD

England: J.Dean, T.Greaves, P.Smith, G.Ricketts, B.Statonᶜ, J.Petts, Chris Crowe, Johnny Byrne, H.Llewellyn, J.Barnwell, D.Bennett. Reserves: R.Thursby, J.Bailey.

Defending champions, Scotland almost pulled off their first victory in England, but a freakish last-minute equaliser as Staton's shot hit a divot and sailed over the goalkeeper's head, rescued a point for the hosts.

Friendly match

57 11 March 1956 - Switzerland 0 England 2 [0-1]
Breite Stadion, Schaffhausen (tbc) Byrne, Bennett AW

England: J.Dean, T.Greaves, P.Smith, G.Ricketts, B.Statonᶜ, R.Thursby, Chris Crowe, Johnny Byrne, H.Llewellyn, J.Barnwell, D.Bennett. Reserves: G.Aldwinckle, H.Obeney.

John Petts had to withdraw from the amateur team's first friendly match with injury. He was replaced by Thursby, whilst Harry Obeney was added as a reserve. England, wearing blue shirts, had a comfortable victory even after losing Terry Greaves to a dislocated shoulder for the last half-hour.

FIFA Youth Tournament in Hungary Players must have been born on or after 1 September 1937 and before 1 September 1939.

58 group A

28 March 1956 - Bulgaria 2 England 1 [0-0]
Stadion Malinovsky út, Salgótarján (8,000) Iliev (2)
Bennett NL

Bert Llewellyn⁸⁴

England: J.Dean, T.Greaves, P.Smith, G.Ricketts, B.Statonᶜ, J.Petts, Chris Crowe, Johnny Byrne, H.Llewellyn, J.Barnwell, D.Bennett.

59 30 March 1956 - Hungary 4 England 2 [3-1]
Városi Stadion, Tatabánya (10,000) Szalai, Povázsai (2), Sztáni
Crowe, Barnwell AL

England: J.Dean, T.Greaves, P.Smith, R.Thursby, B.Statonᶜ, J.Petts, Chris Crowe, J.Barnwell, Johnny Byrne, D.Bennett (J.Bailey), T.McDonald.

60 1 April 1956 - West Germany 1 England 2 [1-1]
Eszperantó úti Stadion, Sztálinváros (6,000) Olk
Llewellyn, Crowe (pen) NW

England: J.Dean, T.Greaves, P.Smith, R.Thursby, B.Statonᶜ, G.Ricketts, Chris Crowe, J.Bailey, H.Llewellyn, J.Barnwell, D.Bennett.

Goalkeeper, Geoff Aldwinckle, and Keith Haines were unused squad members.

No semi-finals or final played "to prevent an excess of competition".

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

61 12 May 1956 - Northern Ireland 1 England 0 [0-0]
Solitude, Belfast (tbc) Dougan AL

England: F.Sykes, J.Detchon, G.Curtis, R.Thursby, B.Statonᶜ, J.Petts, Chris Crowe, J.Bailey, H.Llewellyn, J.Barnwell, D.Dodson. Reserves: G.Ricketts, D.Bennett.

England had a new goalkeeper, owing to Joe Dean signing as a professional for Bolton Wanderers. Terry Greaves was a late withdrawal because of injury, and his place was taken by Detchon. George Curtis was unrelated to his namesake, the professional team's coach. England's chances of sharing the title with Scotland were ended by Derek Dougan's goal. Dougan went on to enjoy a successful career with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Northern Ireland. England's third defeat in five visits to Northern Ireland, and still without a win, left them in third place for the first time.

England are third, behind Scotland and Northern Ireland, in the ninth AYC.

Friendly match

62 20 May 1956 - Denmark 1 England 2 [0-1]
Idrætspark, Esbjerg (5,000) Christiansen
Bennett (2) AW

England: F.Sykes, T.Greaves, G.Curtis, R.Thursby, B.Statonᶜ, J.Petts, Chris Crowe, J.Bailey, D.Bennett, J.Barnwell, D.Dodson. Reserves: A.Ashmore, G.Ricketts.

Bennett was originally named as a reserve, but replaced Bert Llewellyn, who had signed a professional contract with Everton.

FA YOUTH CUP FINAL 1956
First Leg: Monday, 30 April - Old Trafford, Manchester
MANCHESTER UNITED 3-2 CHESTERFIELD
Carolan, Pearson, Bobby Charlton ~ Mellors, Ledger

Second Leg: Monday, 7 May - Recreation Ground, Chesterfield
CHESTERFIELD 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED
Havenhand ~ Fidler
Manchester United win 4-3 on aggregate.

England youth internationals:
Manchester United: Bobby Charlton, Tony Hawksworth, Peter Jones and Wilf McGuinness.
(Holland and Pearson in 1957)
Chesterfield: Jack Detchon.
(Havenhand in October)

Future England full internationals:
Manchester United: Bobby Charlton and Wilf McGuinness.
Chesterfield: Gordon Banks.

The FIFA Youth Tournament was taken over by UEFA in 1957, as it was now an exclusively European competition. UEFA promptly re-introduced the knockout stages, and extended the age criteria to include players turning 16 during that season.

Season 1956-57

*Amateur Class of 1957 (born after 31 August 1938 and before 1 September 1941 - (either 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August 1957)):
^ Under-20 class of 1956 (born after 31 August 1936 and before 1 September 1941 - (16-20 on 31 August 1957))
Top scorer: 19 - Jimmy Greaves
Division 1 debuts:
Peter Brabrook (Chelsea) 1955
Wilf McGuinness (Manchester United) 1955
^Maurice Setters (West Bromwich Albion) 1955
Joe Dean (Bolton Wanderers) 1956 - aged 16
Bert Llewellyn (Everton) 1956
Tony Nicholas (Chelsea) 1956
^John Angus (Burnley) 1956
*John Barnwell (Arsenal) 1957
*Jimmy Greaves (Chelsea) 1957
*David Burnside (West Bromwich Albion) 1957
*Dave Gaskell (Manchester United) 1957 after FA Charity Shield debut in 1956, aged 16
John Petts (Arsenal) 1958
*Mark Pearson (Manchester United) 1958
*Mel Scott and *David Cliss (Chelsea) 1958
^John Smith (West Ham United) 1958 - full international reserve (1961)
*Joe Kirkup (West Ham United) 1958
*Barry Bridges (Chelsea) 1959
Alan Collier (Luton Town) 1959
Derek Lampe (Fulham) 1959
*John Cartwright (West Ham United) 1959
*John Lyall (West Ham United) 1960
*Reg Stratton (Fulham) 1960
*Len Ashurst (Sunderland) 1964
*John Sydenham (Southampton) 1966
George Curtis (Coventry City) 1967
*Billy Houghton (Ipswich Town) 1968
Full internationals: Peter Brabrook and Wilf McGuinness (1958), both aged 20, Jimmy Greaves (1959) aged 19, John Angus (1961) aged 22 and Barry Bridges (1965)
Under-23 internationals: Peter Brabrook (1957) aged 19, Jimmy Greaves (1957) aged 17, Maurice Setters (1957) aged 20, Wilf McGuinness (1958) aged 20, Mel Scott (1958) aged 18, John Angus, John Smith and John Sydenham (1959), all aged 20, Len Ashurst and John Barnwell (1961), both aged 22, Joe Kirkup (1961) aged 21 and David Burnside (1962) aged 22
Amateur internationals: Reg Stratton (1957) aged 17 and David Wright (1958)
Ex-schoolboy internationals: Wilf McGuinness (1952-53), Ron Saxby and Alan Collier (1953), Joe Dean and Barry Staton (1954), Rod Feist (1954-55), Peter Bunch, David Cliss, Reg Holland, Mark Pearson and David Wright (1955), Barry Bridges and Dave Gaskell (1955-56) and Johnny Sanchez (1956)
17-year-old in UEFA squad: Greaves, Holland, Pearson and Sydenham.
16-year-old in UEFA squad: Cartwright, Gaskell and Sanchez.
15-year-old in UEFA squad: Bridges.
Missing details:
Birthdates: Arthur Chadburn, Eddie Colton, Brian Dellar, David Jacobs, Peter Redmond, Roy Walker, David Wright
Line-up v. Greece

Friendly match

63 13 October 1956 - England 2 Switzerland 2 [1-0]
Goldstone Ground, Hove (tbc) Connolly (2)
Wenger, Maffiolo HD

England: M.Gibson, R.Feist, L.Ashurst, P.Redmond, M.Scottᶜ, B.Dellar (P.Bunch), M.Connolly, J.Barnwell, K.McHale, D.Burnside, D.Dodson. (unused: B.Flood, M.Pearson).

Barnwell, and Dodson (who was still 16 and too young to sign professional) had appeared in the previous season.

Under-20 Friendly matches

64 23 October 1956 - England 2 Hungary 1 [0-0]
White Hart Lane, Tottenham (11,527) Setters, Bunce
Sztáni HW

England: A.Collier, C.Beavon, G.Curtis, M.Setters, D.Lampeᶜ, J.Petts (J.Smith), R.Saxby, Peter Brabrook, K.McHale, A.Nicholas, F.Bunce.

The first of two matches against Hungary that were actually under-twenty internationals by special arrangement, hence the return to the team of nine players from previous years. It would have been ten, but Colin Tether withdrew and was replaced by Beavon. Collier, in goal, had previously played as both amateur and professional for England. The oldest member of the team was Maurice Setters, who was two months away from his twentieth birthday. Brabrook, Bunce, Curtis, Lampe, McHale, Nicholas, Setters and Smith had all made Football League debuts. This match was also the first England youth international to be televised live, the second half of the floodlit Tuesday-night match being shown by the BBC.

65 25 October 1956 - England 2 Hungary 1 [2-0]
Roker Park, Sunderland (15,999) Llewellyn, Burnside
Szalai HW

England: J.Dean, John Angus, L.Ashurst, Wilf McGuinness, B.Statonᶜ, B.Cooke, M.Connolly, K.Havenhand, H.Llewellyn, D.Burnside, D.Dodson. Reserves: A.Humphreys, R.Campbell, H.Rich, Johnny Byrne.

Hungary only made two changes from the team that had lost at Tottenham, two nights earlier, but England fielded an entirely different line-up, slightly younger and less-experienced than the previous team. Ashurst, Burnside, Connolly and Dodson were all amateurs, but Angus, Dean, Havenhand, Llewellyn, McGuinness and Staton had all made Football League debuts, whilst only Angus and Havenhand were appearing for the first time. 16-year-old David Burnside scored, what turned out to be, the winning goal. Just over thirty years later, he was the England youth team's coach! Reserve goalkeeper, Alan Humphreys, was an under-23 reserve on three occasions in the 1959-60 season.

Friendly matches

66 7 November 1956 - Belgium 2 England 3 [0-2]
Stade Émile Versé, Bruxelles (tbc) Zaman, Van Hemelrijck
Cliss, Jacobs (2) Aab

abandoned after 65 minutes because of fog

England: D.Gaskell, D.Wright, L.Ashurst, P.Bunch, M.Scottᶜ, W.Houghton, M.Connolly, D.Cliss, D.Jacobs, J.Barnwell, D.Dodson.

Just before he signed professional forms for Arsenal, John Barnwell became the first player to make ten appearances for England's youth team (albeit in a match curtailed by 25 minutes), and he was still seven weeks away from his 18th birthday. Mark Pearson was in the original line-up, but he withdrew, two days before the game, and was replaced by Cliss.

u/o 5 January 1957 -
England 5 The Rest 1 [1-1]
St Andrew's, Birmingham (6,000) Simpson, Colton (2), Stratton (2)
Greaves NW

England: D.Gaskell, D.Wrightᶜ, L.Ashurst, E.Colton, E.Holland, W.Houghton, M.Connolly, T.Simpson, D.Jacobs, M.Pearson, D.Dodson.
The Rest: M.Turner, Ken Shellito, S.Storton, P.Redmondᶜ, C.Holmes, D.Hetherington, C.Spriggs, D.Burnside, J.Sketchley, Jimmy Greaves, R.Stratton. Reserves: T.Potter, M.Hayward, J.Simmons, T.Caldwell, B.Dellar.

David Jones was selected for England, but he broke his leg and was replaced by Simpson. Greaves and Stratton switched to the England team for the second half, as two of the reserves replaced them.

u/o 8 January 1957 -
AFA Schools XI 4 FA Youth XI 3 [2-1]
Horn Park, Lee (tbc) Drybrough, French, Bateson, Loader
Harper, Bridges (2) NL

FA Youth XI: B.Flood, J.Kirkup, J.Sanchez, J.Crabb, E.Steed, D.Harper, C.Shone, G.Thomson, Barry Bridges, J.Cartwright, A.Seagroatt.

67 2 February 1957 - England 7 Luxembourg 1 [5-1]
Boleyn Ground, Upton Park (5,500) Greaves (4), Stratton, Bridges (2)
Kaufmann HW

Greaves also shot over the bar from a penalty after an hour. With eleven minutes left, Connolly had a penalty saved by Schwachtgen.

England: D.Gaskell, D.Wrightᶜ, J.Sanchez, E.Colton, C.Holmes, J.Lyall, M.Connolly, Jimmy Greaves, Barry Bridges, J.Cartwright, R.Stratton. Reserve: B.Flood.

The BBC took a risk in showing most of an amateur youth international live for the first time, on a Saturday evening, against a minnow such as Luxembourg were, but they were rewarded with lots of goal action, including the historic international debut of the great Jimmy Greaves.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

68 9 February 1957 - Wales 1 England 7 [0-4]
Ninian Park, Cardiff (tbc) James
Jacobs (2), Greaves (3), Houghton, Pearson AW

England: D.Gaskell, D.Wrightᶜ, L.Ashurst, E.Colton, E.Holland, W.Houghton, M.Connolly, Jimmy Greaves, D.Jacobs, M.Pearson, R.Stratton. Reserves: C.Holmes, D.Dodson.

Friendly match

69 2 March 1957 - England 5 Netherlands 5 [3-3]
Griffin Park, Brentford (4,690) Dodson, Greaves (4)
Seelen (4), De Vries HD

England: R.Owen, D.Wrightᶜ, L.Ashurst, T.Caldwell, E.Holland, W.Houghton, M.Connolly, Jimmy Greaves, D.Jacobs, M.Pearson, D.Dodson. Reserves: B.Flood, D.Harper, Barry Bridges.

Another Saturday-night goal feast for television viewers, though only the second half was broadcast live, as England recovered from a three-goal deficit after 36 minutes and they were in front after 68 minutes before the Dutch drew level.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

70 9 March 1957 - Scotland 1 England 3 [0-1]
Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen (12,500) Lochhead
Jacobs, Pearson, Greaves (pen) AW

Gaskell saved a penalty from Turner

England: D.Gaskell, D.Wrightᶜ, L.Ashurst, E.Colton, E.Holland, W.Houghton, M.Connolly, Jimmy Greaves, D.Jacobs, M.Pearson, D.Dodson. Reserves: T.Caldwell, Barry Bridges.

England ended Scotland's hopes of a hat-trick of titles.

Friendly matches

71 24 March 1957 - France 0 England 1 [0-1]
Stade de la Faisanderie, Fontainebleau (tbc) Greaves AW

England: M.Turner, D.Wrightᶜ, J.Sanchez, E.Colton, D.Harper, W.Houghton, D.Jacobs, Jimmy Greaves, Barry Bridges, M.Connolly, D.Dodson. Reserve: D.Cartlidge.

72 31 March 1957 - West Germany 4 England 1 [2-1]
Niederrheinstadion, Oberhausen (32,000) Wohlgemuth (2 (1 pen)), Wischnowsky, Gast
Jacobs AL

England: D.Gaskell, D.Wrightᶜ, L.Ashurst, E.Colton, E.Holland, W.Houghton, D.Jacobs, Jimmy Greaves, Barry Bridges, M.Pearson, J.Sydenham. Reserve: R.Owen.

UEFA Youth Tournament in Spain Players must have been born on or after 1 September 1938 and before 1 September 1941.

73 group C Teunisse, De Nooijer
Greaves NL

14 April 1957 - Netherlands 2 England 1 [1-1]
Camp de Les Corts, Barcelona (tbc)

England: D.Gaskell, D.Wright ͨ, L.Ashurst, E.Colton, E.Holland, W.Houghton, M.Connolly, Jimmy Greaves, D.Jacobs, M.Pearson, J.Sydenham.

74 16 April 1957 - Austria 3 England 0 [3-0]
Camp de Les Corts, Barcelona (30,000) Nemec (2), Tautscher NL

England: D.Gaskell, D.Wright ͨ, L.Ashurst, T.Caldwell, E.Holland, W.Houghton, M.Connolly, Jimmy Greaves, D.Jacobs, M.Pearson, J.Sydenham.

75 18 April 1957 - Greece 3 England 2 [1-1]
Camp de Les Corts, Barcelona (tbc) Andreou (3)
Cartwright, Greaves NL

England squad: D.Gaskell, D.Wright ͨ, L.Ashurst, T.Caldwell, E.Holland, W.Houghton, M.Connolly, Jimmy Greaves, D.Jacobs, M.Pearson, J.Sydenham, Barry Bridges, J.Cartwright, E.Colton, R.Owen, J.Sanchez, S.Storton.

England are eliminated in the group phase of the UEFA Youth Tournament. Austria are the eventual winners.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

76 11 May 1957 - England 6 Northern Ireland 2 [1-1]
Brisbane Road, Leyton (tbc) Greaves (4 (1 pen)), Connolly, Jacobs
Elwood (2) HW

England: D.Gaskell, J.Kirkup, D.Wrightᶜ, T.Caldwell, R.Walker, W.Houghton, A.Chadburn, Jimmy Greaves, D.Jacobs, J.Cartwright, M.Connolly. Reserves: D.Harper, Barry Bridges.

Dave Dodson was in the original selection, but he withdrew and was replaced by Chadburn. England clinched their first title in three years, after scoring a record 16 goals in three games, Jimmy Greaves netting half of them, having delayed signing as a professional for Chelsea until he had completed his England youth season. Northern Ireland had to win by three goals to take the title from them. So, the 14-match season ended, with England having used 54 players, and exactly half of them (27) going on to play in the top flight.

England are winners of the tenth AYC.

FA YOUTH CUP FINAL 1957
First Leg: Thursday, 2 May - Boleyn Ground, Upton Park
WEST HAM UNITED 2-3 MANCHESTER UNITED
Cartwright, Fenn (pen) ~ Dawson, Lawton, Hunter

Second Leg: Tuesday, 7 May - Old Trafford, Manchester
MANCHESTER UNITED 5-0 WEST HAM UNITED
Morgans, Pearson (2), Dawson (2)
Manchester United win 8-2 on aggregate.

England youth internationals:
Manchester United: Dave Gaskell, Reg Holland and Mark Pearson
West Ham United: John Cartwright, John Lyall, Terry McDonald and John Smith.
(Kirkup and Walker four days later)

Future England full internationals:
None.

Season 1957-58

   16 September 1957: Ron Greenwood
in charge of the professional youth matches only.
The Youth Selection Committee maintained control over the amateur matches.

Friendly matches

77 26 September 1957 - England 4 Spain 4 [2-2]
St. Andrews, Birmingham (10,018) Sydenham, Jones (3)
Nanuco, Torre, Dean OG, Chuzo HD

England: J.Dean, John Angus, G.Curtis, T.Caldwell, E.Holland, W.Houghton, K.McHale, D.Jones, I.Lawson, D.Burnside, J.Sydenham.

78 2 October 1957 - Netherlands 2 England 3 [nk]
Olympisch Stadion, Amsterdam (tbc)
tbc, Bridges AW

England: D.Gaskell, R.Collinson, D.Wrightᶜ, D.Barber, Bobby Moore, J.Elms, K.Lewis, P.Vine, Barry Bridges, F.Beaumont, J.Mitten. Reserve: B.Smart.

The Netherlands were two goals up after five minutes.

79 15 October 1957 - England 4 Romania 2 [2-0]
White Hart Lane, Tottenham (8,819) Temple, Block (2), Bridges
Mateianu, Motroc HW

England: D.Gaskell, John Angus, Tony Allen, D.Barber, M.Scott, K.McHale, Wilf McGuinnessᶜ, Derek Temple, Barry Bridges, Jimmy Melia, M.Block.

80 13 November 1957 - England 2 Belgium 0 [0-0]
Hillsborough, Sheffield (7,801) Spence, Mitten HW

England: B.Smart, B.Smith, D.Wrightᶜ, D.Barber, Bobby Moore, J.Elms, G.Mannion, P.Vine, A.Spence, F.Beaumont, J.Mitten.

81 17 November 1957 - Luxembourg 0 England 3 [0-2]
Stade Municipal, Luxembourg (tbc) Beaumont, Laraman, Bridges AW

England: B.Smart, B.Smith, S.Farimond, D.Barber, Bobby Moore, J.Elms, P.Laraman, G.Mannion, Barry Bridges, F.Beaumont, A.Scott.

u/o 7 January 1958 -
AFA Schools XI 2 FA Youth XI 3 [1-1]
Motspur Park, New Malden (tbc) Eacersall, Gooding
Browning (2), Laraman NW

FA Youth XI: A.Windsor, G.Neat, D.Bacuzzi, D.Grant, P.Jones, D.High, D.Woodley, M.Everitt, M.Browning, P.Laraman, D.Parnell.

82 4 February 1958 - England 2 Yugoslavia 2 [1-0]
Stamford Bridge, Fulham (8,408) Bridges, Hazelden
Kovačević (2) HD

England: B.Smart, B.Smith, D.Wrightᶜ, D.Barber, Bobby Moore, J.Elms, F.Twist, W.Hazelden, Barry Bridges, M.Tindall, A.Scott.

England came back from two goals behind, but then missed a penalty with ten minutes left, Wright hitting the post.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

83 15 February 1958 - England 8 Wales 2 [3-1]
Elm Park, Reading (tbc) Hazelden (2), Twist (2), Bridges (2), Scott, Barber
Williams, Edwards HW

England: B.Smart, B.Smith, J.Bramhall, D.Barber, Bobby Mooreᶜ, D.High, F.Twist, W.Hazelden, Barry Bridges, M.Tindall, A.Scott.

84 1 March 1958 - England 2 Scotland 0 [0-0]
Boothferry Park, Hull (7,283) Bridges (2) HW

England: B.Smart, J.Bramhall, D.Wrightᶜ, D.Barber, Bobby Moore, L.Cocker, F.Twist, W.Carlin, Barry Bridges, M.Tindall, A.Scott.

Friendly matches

85 4 March 1958 - England 3 Austria 2 [2-0]
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury (4,677) Twist, Bridges, Barber (pen)
Molzer, Skarelan HW

David Wright missed a first-half penalty.

England: B,Smart, J.Bramhall, D.Wrightᶜ, D.Barber, Bobby Moore, L.Cocker, F.Twist, R.Perry, Barry Bridges, M.Tindall, A.Scott.

86 12 March 1958 - England 1 West Germany 2 [0-1]
Burnden Park, Bolton (3,561) Tindall
Heidner (2) HL

England: B.Smart, J.Bramhall, D.Wrightᶜ, D.Barber, Bobby Moore, L.Cocker, F.Twist, R.Perry, Barry Bridges, M.Tindall, A.Scott.

87 22 March 1958 - England 0 France 1 [0-1]
The Oval, Eastbourne (4,188) Deloffre HL

England: P.Reader, R.Collinson, J.Bramhall, D.Barber, Bobby Mooreᶜ, L.Cocker, F.Twist, M.Tindall, Barry Bridges, A.Spence, D.Parnell.

   Sid Cann
in charge of the professional youth matches only.
The Youth Selection Committee maintained control over the amateur matches.

UEFA Youth Tournament in Central Europe

88 5 April 1958 - Spain 2 England 2 [1-1]
Ludwigsparkstadion, Saarbrücken (tbc) Chuzo, Cartañá
Bridges, Tindall ND

England: B.Smart, J.Bramhall, A.Heaney, D.Barber, Bobby Mooreᶜ, L.Cocker, F.Twist, A.Spence, Barry Bridges, M.Tindall, A.Scott.

89 7 April 1958 - GDR 0 England 1 [0-0]
Ellenfeldstadion, Neunkirchen (3,000) Barber
Birmingham Daily Post states Bobby Moore scored NW

same newspaper states it was Bauchspiess Lee

England: P.Reader, A.Heaney, A.Wileman, D.Barber, Bobby Mooreᶜ, L.Cocker, F.Twist, W.Carlin, Barry Bridges, D.Parnell, A.Scott.

90 9 April 1958 - Luxembourg 0 England 5 [0-0]
Stade de la Frontière, Esch-sur-Alzette (tbc) Bridges, Tindall, Parnell (3) AW

England: P.Reader, A.Heaney, A.Wileman, D.Barber, Bobby Mooreᶜ, K.McCarthy, F.Twist, M.Tindall, Barry Bridges, D.Parnell, A.Scott.

91 semi-final

11 April 1958 - Romania 0 England 1 [0-1]
Stade Municipal, Luxembourg (tbc) Bridges NW

Dave Barber had his penalty in the 63rd minute saved.

England: P.Reader, A.Heaney, A.Wileman, D.Barber, Bobby Mooreᶜ, L.Cocker, F.Twist, M.Tindall, Barry Bridges, D.Parnell, A.Scott.

92 FINAL

13 April 1958 - Italy 1 England 0 [0-0]
Stade Municipal, Luxembourg (tbc) Oltramari NL

In the 48th minute, Peter Reader saved a penalty from Sandro Salvadore.

England: P.Reader, A.Heaney, A.Wileman, D.Barber, Bobby Mooreᶜ, L.Cocker, F.Twist, M.Tindall, Barry Bridges, D.Parnell, A.Scott.

England are the runners-up in the eleventh UEFA Youth Tournament.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

93 10 May 1958 - Northern Ireland 4 England 2 [2-0]
Clandeboye Park, Bangor (tbc)
Clapton, Smillie AL

England: P.Reader, A.Heaney, A.Wileman, D.Barber, Bobby Mooreᶜ, L.Cocker, F.Twist, D.Parnell, A.Smillie, Danny Clapton, R.Bird.

England are winners by virtue of a better goal average in the eleventh AYC.

Friendly matches

94 26 May 1958 - Switzerland 0 England 3 [0-2]
Stadion Letzigrund, Zürich (tbc) Bullock, Hall, Twist AW

England: P.Reader, A.Heaney, A.Wileman, D.Barber, Bobby Mooreᶜ, L.Cocker, F.Twist, D.Parnell, P.Bullock, Danny Clapton, I.Hall.

95 1 June 1958 - Austria 3 England 4 [nk]
Gruabn, Graz (tbc)
Hall (2), Cocker. Smillie AW

England: P.Reader, A.Heaney, A.Wileman, D.Barber, Bobby Mooreᶜ, L.Cocker, F.Twist, A.Smillie, P.Bullock, D.Parnell, I.Hall.

Dave Barber made a record 18th England Youth appearance. It was his last appearance.

Season 1958-59

96 8 October 1958 - Spain 2 England 4 [1-2]
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid (53,000) Dominguez, Cartañá
Smillie, Twist, Bullock (2) AW

England: D.Gaskell, B.Smith, K.France, J.Kirkham, Bobby Mooreᶜ, D.Shawcross, F.Twist, A.Smillie, P.Bullock, W.Carlin, A.Scott.

Bobby Moore equalled Dave Barber's record, achieved just four months earlier, with his 18th and final appearance for the England Youth team.

   3 November 1958: Harold Hassall
in charge of the professional youth matches only.
The Youth Selection Committee maintained control over the amateur matches.

u/o 6 January 1959 -
AFA Schools XI 3 FA Youth XI 7 [2-2]
Bank of England Sports Ground, Roehampton (tbc) McDermott, Aldridge, Wood
Beesley (4), Meadows (2), Sullivan NW

Spence saved an early penalty from McDermott.

FA Youth XI: K.Spence, P.Auger, M.Quinn, Geoff Hurst, A.Young, D.Johnson, M.Fairchild, B.Sullivan, M.Beesley, W.Meadows, R.MIlls.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

97 14 February 1959 - Wales 0 England 3 [0-2]
Y Traeth, Portmadoc (700) White, Spratt, Woodley AW

England: P.Reader, C.Irwin, V.Cockroft, Nobby Stiles, K.McCabeᶜ, Geoff Hurst, D.Woodley, T.Spratt, J.White, J.Hawksby, J.Mitten.

98 28 February 1959 - Scotland 1 England 1 [1-1]
Pittodrie, Aberdeen (tbc)
Hawksby AD

England: P.Reader, D.Bacuzzi, V.Cockroft, Nobby Stiles, K.McCabeᶜ, Geoff Hurst, D.Woodley, T.Spratt, E.Phythian, J.Hawksby, Alan Hinton.

Friendly match

99 8 March 1959 - GDR 4 England 3 [3-3]
Georgi-Dimitroff-Stadion, Zwickau (20,000) Nachtigall, Sommer, Heidenreich, Barthels
Spratt, Phythian, Woodley AL

England: R.Charles, D.Bacuzzi, V.Cockroft, Nobby Stiles, Geoff Hurst, M.Beard, D.Woodley, T.Spratt, E.Phythian, J.Hawksby, Alan Hinton.

England were three goals up after 22 minutes.

UEFA Youth Tournament in Bulgaria

100 25 March 1959 - Italy 3 England 0 [1-0]
Stadion Vasil Levski, Sofiya (36,000) Novelli, Ferrario (2) NL

England: P.Reader, D.Bacuzzi, V.Cockroft, M.Beard, K.McCabeᶜ, Geoff Hurst, D.Woodley, T.Spratt, E.Phythian, J.Hawksby, Alan Hinton.

101 29 March 1959 - Turkey 1 England 1 [0-nk]
Stadion Minyor, Dimitrovo (tbc) ND

England: R.Charles, D.Bacuzzi, V.Cockroft, Nobby Stiles, K.McCabeᶜ, M.Beard, D.Woodley, T.Spratt, E.Phythian, B.Sullivan, J.Hawksby.

102 31 March 1959 - Romania 2 England 1 [1-1]
Stadion Lyuben Shkodrov, Pazardzhik (tbc) nk (pen), nk
Sullivan NL

England: R.Charles, D.Bacuzzi, V.Cockroft, Nobby Stiles, C.Irwin, M.Beard, T.Spratt, Geoff Hurst, E.Phythian, B.Sullivan, J.Hawksby.

103 2 April 1959 - Greece 0 England 4 [0-nk]
Stadion Minyor, Dimitrovo (tbc) NW

England: R.Charles, D.Bacuzzi, C.Irwin, Nobby Stiles, K.McCabeᶜ, M.Beard, D.Woodley, Geoff Hurst, E.Phythian, B.Sullivan, J.Hawksby.

England are eliminated at the group stage of the twelfth UEFA Youth Tournament. Bulgaria are the eventual winners.

Amateur Youth Championship for the British Association

104 9 May 1959 - England 5 Northern Ireland 0 [4-0]
Anfield, Liverpool (tbc) Phythian (3), Hart, Lackenby HW

England: J.Crosby, D.Bacuzzi, G.Trigg, A.Corbett, K.McCabeᶜ, M.Beard, J.Rowlands, B.Hart, E.Phythian, D.Lackenby, D.Heard.

England are winners, by virtue of a better goal average than Scotland, of the twelfth AYC.

1960-1970→

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