All information is complete to and including England's last match, the seventh of the 1949-50 season, against Belgium on 18 May 1950.

Diary

Thursday, 27 April 1950 - The Football Association have drawn up their two sides for the full internationals in Portugal and Belgium and the 'B' matches in Italy, Netherlands and Luxembourg. After just over an hour they produced two parties but no real surprises, apart from the announcement that Neil Franklin was omitted at his own request, his wife is expecting their second child.
As England B will not have a team manager, Walter Winterbottom going to Portugal and Belgium, Jimmy Trotter, England's usual trainer, will go as team attendant with Bill Riddings (Bolton Wanderers) acting as trainer of the full national side.
Two parties will meet in Brussels before the last B match against Luxembourg, so if the selectors would like further glimpses of certain players, it is possible that the senior team players maybe included in the final tour match.

Friday, 5 May 1950 - Reg Lewis, who scored both goals for Arsenal in the FA Cup victory over Liverpool, is to play for the England B team against Italy. He replaces Len Shackleton, who has been released at Sunderland's request so that he can accompany them on their tour of Turkey.

Saturday, 6 May 1950 - Laurie Hughes suffered bruised ribs today when playing for Liverpool against Burnley in the Lancashire Senior Cup Final. It has resulted his withdrawal from the Party.

Monday, 8 May 1950 - After sensational news had been received today that Neil Franklin and George Mountford had left London Airport last night with their wives and families to take up a coaching appointment with the Santa Fe Football Club of South America, it was learned that neither the England nor the Stoke City team mangers knew anything about their plans.
The Football Association announced today that Bill Jones will fill the vacancy left in the A team caused by the withdrawal of his clubmate, Laurie Hughes, through injury. Blackpool FC's Johnny Crosland replaces Jones in the B side. The B team leave by air tomorrow from Northolt bound for Milan, along with Sir Stanley Rous. The A team will leave on Wednesday from Northolt for Lisbon.

Thursday, 11 May 1950 - An Italian avalanche smothered eleven England footballers with a 5-0 win in MIlan. Officially England B met Italy B, but the Italians, playing superb football, completely outmanœuvred England and were the dominant team throughout.

Sunday, 14 May 1950 - Two penalties were among the four goals Preston North End winger Tom Finney scored for England here when 70,000 people saw the tourists give a display which did not enhance their chances of winning the World Cup at Rio next month. Finney was the man of the match, and Mortensen the other England scorer, shot a brilliant goal which was made possible by Mannion's clever pass. The coloured Portuguese centre-forward, Ben David, from the Cape Verde Islands, scored twice, and Vasques once. These three goals and two of England's came in the second half.

Wednesday, 17 May 1950 - For the first time in their football history England were beaten by a Dutch team, but the fault lay with the English forwards who were far too individualistic against a stubborn defence.

Thursday, 18 May 1950 - After centre-forward Jef Mermans had scored for Belgium in the 44th minute and England had left the field in Brussels in arrears, it seemed the the Football Association should forget Rio and the World Cup to concentrate upon rebuilding our own football skill. However, the second half brought a great transformation and by the end, the Belgian team, who had played delightfully, were outclassed and demoralised and the continental journalists were hailing England as potential World Cup winners.

Friday, 19 May 1950 - The B team is announced for the final tour match in Luxembourg that includes Jimmy Mullen. The thirteen participating players left Brussels by train as the remaining members of the Party flew home to Northolt. Bill Nicholson and Eddie Bailey, as well as Redfern Froggatt, departed to join up with their clubs who are already on a European tour.

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CG