Full

B

C

Amateur

Under 23

Under 21

Under 20

Under 19

Youth

Under 17

Under 16

1907-40

Women

1947-59

1960-69

1970-79

1980-89

1990-98

With thanks to Gavin Willacy's 'england schoolboys international players' records 1907-99' (English Schools' Football Association 1999) which was an invaluable reference for this research. Thanks also to Friedhelm Henke for his contributions.

Season 1979-80
Class of 1980 (born after 31 July 1964 - 15 or under on 31 July 1980): Football League debuts: Paul Rideout (Swindon Town) 1980 (Division 3) aged 16 Wayne Bray (Bristol City) 1982 (Division 3) Paul Wimbleton (Portsmouth) 1982 (Division 3) - PFA Division 4 Team of the Year (1988, Cardiff City) Stewart Thompson (Rochdale) 1982 (Division 4) Robert Jones (Leicester City) 1983 (Division 2) Warren Donald (West Ham United) 1983 (Division 1) David Byrom (Stockport County) 1984 (Division 4) Doug McClure (Exeter City) 1984 (Division 4) George Parris (West Ham United) 1985 (Division 1) Other league debuts: Dave Willis (Winnipeg Fury) 1990 (Canadian Soccer League) Under-21 internationals: Paul Rideout (1984) aged 20 Under-18 internationals: Paul Brown, Doug McClure and Paul Rideout (1982), all aged 17 Under-17 internationals: Paul Brown and Doug McClure (1982)
x		International Selection Committee
Victory Shield
284	15 March 1980 - England 4 Northern Ireland 2 [1-1] Deepdale, Preston (10,000)	Wimbleton (2), Brown, Rideout Whiteside (2)	HW
	England: P.Lara, M.Queenan, M.McGinty, D.McClureᶜ, D.Byrom, D.Elliott, P.Wimbleton, W.Bray, P.Rideout, G.Parris, P.Brown (R.Jones). (used: W.Donald). (unused: R.Howe, D.Hollier, S.Thompson).
	Northern Ireland had begun the decade, two weeks earlier, by beating the Republic of Ireland, 4-0 at Derry, to add the Wilkinson Sword Trophy to their European tournament victory of the previous year. A week later, Scotland got the Victory Shield underway by defeating Wales, 3-1 at Milford Haven. Norman Whiteside, now 14 years old and the youngest member of their squad by some four months, captained Northern Ireland, and was a commanding figure up against players who were mostly 15, but it was England, with the returning Paul Rideout, continuing his goalscoring form from the previous year, who proved the stronger team. Dave Willis was originally named in the squad, but suffered torn ligaments and was replaced by Jones.
Friendly matches
285	22 March 1980 - England 2 Switzerland 0 [0-0] Wembley Stadium, London (45,000)	Bray, Rideout	HW
	England: P.Lara, M.Queenan, M.McGinty, D.McClureᶜ, D.Byrom, W.Donald, P.Wimbleton, W.Bray, P.Rideout, G.Parris, P.Brown. (used: R.Jones). (unused: R.Howe, D.Elliott, D.Hollier, S.Thompson).
	Switzerland's first visit to Wembley gave England the opportunity to gain revenge for their defeat at Sheffield University in the previous year's European tournament. Switzerland had agreed to meet Northern Ireland for the first time, four days later, but they pulled out five weeks before the game due to the 'troubles' in the province, and the Republic made a second trip north within four weeks to fulfil the fixture at Bangor, only to endure a second 4-0 defeat. The Swiss visited Wales for the first time, instead, and lost, 3-1 at Ebbw Vale.

286	29 March 1980 - Netherlands 1 England 4 [0-2] Sportpark Olympia, Gouda (tbc)	Wimbleton, Parris, Godee OG, Donald	AW
	England: P.Lara (R.Howe), M.Queenan, M.McGinty, D.McClureᶜ, D.Byrom, W.Donald, P.Wimbleton, W.Bray, P.Rideout, G.Parris, R.Jones. (used: P.Brown, S.Thompson).
	Another convincing victory for England against their Dutch counterparts. Four weeks later, the Netherlands visited Ireland for the first time and met both nations, becoming the first continental team to visit Northern Ireland, in their first ever meeting. A goalless draw with them at the Belfast Oval was followed by a 2-2 draw with the Republic of Ireland at Dalymount Park, Dublin.
Victory Shield
287	12 April 1980 - Scotland 2 England 1 [2-0] Fir Park, Motherwell (5,615)	Robertson, Dick Rideout	AL
		Ally Dick hit the crossbar from a 15th-minute penalty
	England: P.Lara, M.Queenan, M.McGinty, D.McClureᶜ, D.Byrom, W.Donald, P.Wimbleton, W.Bray, P.Rideout, G.Parris, R.Jones. (used: P.Brown).
	Five days earlier, Scotland had won the Mondial Minimes Montaigu, the tournament of short matches in western France that the ESFA had decided against sending a squad to, after it had changed from an under-14 to an under-15 event. Scotland surged into a two-goal lead in ten minutes, and missed a penalty, five minutes later. England fought back, but the Scots had earned themselves, at least, a share of the Victory Shield. The first goal was deflected in by Byrom, and the Sunday Post opined that it was an own goal.
288	19 April 1980 - England 2 Wales 0 [-0] Fratton Park, Portsmouth (tbc)	Parris, Jones	HW
	England: P.Lara, M.Queenan, M.McGinty, D.McClureᶜ, D.Byrom, W.Donald, P.Wimbleton, W.Bray, P.Rideout, G.Parris, R.Jones. (used: D.Elliott, S.Thompson). (unused: R.Howe, P.Brown, D.Hollier).
	England's victory put them level with Scotland at the top of the table. One more point would have been enough for Scotland to win the Victory Shield outright, but their chance had been lost, five months earlier, when their fixture with Northern Ireland was cancelled. The Scottish Schools' FA had originally planned to visit Northern Ireland for the first time in ten years, as the full international team would in May 1980, but in the light of increased violence in Ireland in the summer of 1979, they refused to visit and requested that the fixture be played in Scotland again, at Stranraer, with the Scots covering all expenses. This was rejected by the Northern Ireland Schools' FA, who fulfilled their two scheduled away fixtures, in England, and losing 1-0 to Wales at Latham Park, Newtown, but the competition ended a match short, with England and Scotland declared joint winners. Wales also beat the Republic of Ireland, 6-1 at Waterford, and France, 3-2 at Bangor, but lost 1-0 to West Germany at Cwmbran.
Friendly matches
289	30 April 1980 - West Germany 0 England 3 [0-1] Olympiastadion, Berlin (60,000)	Parris, Jones, Rideout	AW
	England: P.Lara, M.Queenan, M.McGinty, D.McClureᶜ, D.Byrom, W.Donald, P.Wimbleton, W.Bray, P.Rideout, G.Parris, R.Jones. (used: P.Brown). (unused: R.Howe, D.Hollier).
	England kept the same starting eleven for the fourth game in succession and silenced a packed stadium with two goals in the last four minutes to secure a very impressive result.
290	2 May 1980 - West Germany 3 England 0 [0-0] Weserstadion, Bremen (tbc)	Voβnacke, Picker, Nitzsche	AL
	England: R.Howe, M.Queenan, M.McGinty, D.McClureᶜ, D.Byrom, W.Donald, P.Wimbleton, D.Hollier, P.Rideout, G.Parris, R.Jones. (used: W.Bray, P.Brown). (unused: P.Lara).
	England made two changes for their second meeting, two days later, where the Germans exacted a quick revenge by the same scoreline. Four weeks later, West Germany made their first visit to Northern Ireland and they were beaten 4-1 at Windsor Park, Belfast, with Whiteside again scoring twice.
ESFA Dentyne Trophy
291	7 June 1980 - England 4 Scotland 5 [2-1] Wembley Stadium, London (69,000)	Rideout (3), Wimbleton McStay (2), Sludden (2), Dick	HL
	England: P.Lara, M.Queenan, M.McGinty, D.McClureᶜ, D.Byrom, W.Donald (D.Hollier), P.Wimbleton, D.Willis (S.Thompson), P.Rideout, G.Parris, R.Jones (P.Brown). (unused: R.Howe, D.Elliott).
	Wembley's biggest schoolboy crowd since 1969 saw Scotland twice come from behind to declare themselves the best in Britain in one of the most exciting games ever seen at the stadium, with millions more watching on television. It is often referred to as the greatest schoolboy match of all-time. The gate receipts of £108,000 set a new record.

 

Season 1980-81
Class of 1981 (born after 31 July 1965 - 15 or under on 31 July 1981): Football League debuts: Neil McDonald (Newcastle United) 1982 (Division 2) aged 16 Andy Sinton (Cambridge United) 1982 (Division 2) aged 16 - England B international and Football League XI (1990) Steve Parkin (Stoke City) 1983 (Division 1) Keith Jones (Chelsea) 1983 (Division 2) Martin Lambert (Brighton & Hove Albion) 1983 (Division 2) John Neal (Millwall) 1984 (Division 3) - Republic of Ireland international in World Youth Championship (1985) Andy Hodkinson (Oldham Athletic) 1984 (Division 2) Neil Aldridge (Crewe Alexandra) 1984 (Division 4) Paul Booth (Bolton Wanderers) 1985 (Division 3) Gary Cooper (Queen's Park Rangers) 1985 (Division 1) David Kerslake (Queen's Park Rangers) 1985 (Division 1) - PFA Division 2 Team of the Year (1991, 1992), Barclays League XI (1992), PFA Barclays League Team of the Year (1993, Swindon Town) - all second tier Ian Macowat (Gillingham) 1985 (Division 3) Andy Robinson (Burnley) 1985 (Division 4) Other league debuts: Mark West (Wycombe Wanderers) 1985 (Gola League) - England semi-professional international (1991) Full internationals: Andy Sinton (1991) Under-21 internationals: David Kerslake (1985) aged 19 and Steve Parkin (1987) Under-19 internationals: David Kerslake, aged 18 and Gary Cooper, both in Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon (1985) Under-18 internationals: David Kerslake (1982) aged 16, Neil Aldridge, Gary Cooper, Neil McDonald and Ian Macowat (1983), all aged 17, Martin Lambert (1983) and Steve Parkin (1984) Under-17 internationals: David Kerslake (1982) aged 15, and Neil Aldridge, Keith Jones, Martin Lambert, Steve Parkin and Gary Cooper (1983)
Friendly match
292	28 March 1981 - England 4 Northern Ireland 0 [3-0] Wembley Stadium, London (40,200)	Sinton, Lambert (2), Kerslake	HW
	England: A.Hope, S.Parkin, N.Aldridge, A.Robinson, I.Macowat, D.Kerslakeᶜ, J.Neal (R.Wynter), P.Booth, Andy Sinton, G.Cooper (K.Jones), M.Lambert. (unused: S.Crocker, G.Lovatt, N.McDonald).
	The dispute between Northern Ireland and Scotland that had meant that their previous year's fixture was not played, rumbled on into the new season. The Schools' Football International Board had decreed that any team refusing to travel to an away match in the Victory Shield would, in future, forfeit the points. They had not previously had a rule to cover this scenario, but it would not have changed the outcome of the previous year's competition being shared between England and Scotland. The Northern Ireland Schools' FA reiterated its intention to no longer travel to Great Britain for their home games, so even though they faced England at Wembley in an invitational international, it was not to be designated their home game against them in the Victory Shield, and the English Schools' FA, who again refused to travel to Northern Ireland, had to forfeit the points to them. Northern Ireland had begun their season, three weeks earlier, by drawing 1-1 with the Republic of Ireland at Richmond Park, Dublin.
Victory Shield
293	1 April 1981 - Wales 0 England 1 [0-1] Ninian Park, Cardiff (tbc)	Lambert	AW
	England: A.Hope, S.Parkin, N.Aldridge, A.Robinson, I.Macowat, D.Kerslakeᶜ, J.Neal, P.Booth, Andy Sinton, G.Cooper, M.Lambert. (used: N.McDonald).
	Wales had begun the year in February, losing 1-0 in Ostend in their first meeting with Belgium, but then beat the Republic of Ireland, 4-1 at Merthyr Tydfil. Whilst England were beating Northern Ireland at Wembley, four days earlier, Scotland were kicking off the Victory Shield by beating Wales, 1-0 at Prestonfield, Linlithgow, and the Welsh went down, for a third time, to a single goal in a competition destined to be incomplete for the second year in succession. It was played at the same time as Liverpool were winning the Football League Cup for the first time, and live on ITV. Three days later, Scotland beat Northern Ireland, 3-0 at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock.
Friendly matches
294	14 April 1981 - Switzerland 1 England 7 [0-4] Sportanlage Lanzenen, Interlaken (tbc)	Kerslake (4), Lambert (2), Jones	AW
	England: A.Hope (S.Crocker), S.Parkin, N.Aldridge, A.Robinson, I.Macowat, D.Kerslakeᶜ, M.West, P.Booth, Andy Sinton, G.Cooper, M.Lambert. (used: K.Jones, G.Lovatt). (unused: N.McDonald, J.Neal).
	England's first trip to Switzerland saw them overwhelm the opposition.
295	16 April 1981 - Switzerland 0 England 4 [0-2] Stadion Neumatt, Burgdorf (tbc)	Cooper, Lambert, Kerslake, Neal	AW
	England: A.Hope, S.Parkin, N.Aldridge, A.Robinson, I.Macowat, D.Kerslakeᶜ, K.Jones, N.McDonald, Andy Sinton, G.Cooper, M.Lambert. (used: J.Neal). (unused: S.Crocker, G.Lovatt, P.Booth, M.West).
	Another convincing victory for England, two days later.

Victory Shield
296	27 April 1981 - England 1 Scotland 0 [1-0] Old Trafford, Manchester (21,142)	Kerslake	HW
	England: A.Hope (S.Crocker), S.Parkin, N.Aldridge, A.Robinson, I.Macowat, D.Kerslakeᶜ, K.Jones, N.McDonald, Andy Sinton, G.Cooper, M.Lambert. (unused: G.Lovatt, R.Wynter).
	The only goal came in the 13th minute of this well-attended Monday-night fixture. Three days later, the Victory Shield came to an abrupt end when Wales pulled out of their scheduled Northern Ireland Schools' FA's Golden Jubilee international at New Grosvenor Stadium, Ballyskeagh at just 48 hours' notice, because of the troubles. It was also intended to be the last Victory Shield match of the season. Over the coming weeks, both England and Wales would also withdraw their full international teams from British Championship matches in Belfast. With England and Scotland both on four points, the Victory Shield was shared for the second year in succession, and as a compromise, Northern Ireland agreed to play all of their home matches in the competition for the next two years in Great Britain, as they had been doing since 1972 (apart from one game with Wales in 1979), but all of their expenses (except travelling) would be covered by their opponents. The jubilee was celebrated, belatedly, in late September, in a 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland at Seaview, Belfast.
Friendly matches
297	4 May 1981 - England 2 Netherlands 0 [0-0] Fellows Park, Walsall (tbc)	Lambert (2)	HW
	England: A.Hope, S.Parkin, N.Aldridge, A.Robinson, I.Macowat, D.Kerslakeᶜ, K.Jones, N.McDonald, Andy Sinton, G.Cooper, M.Lambert. (used: G.Lovatt). (unused: S.Crocker, P.Booth, J.Neal, R.Wynter).
	The Dutch team tried to rely on an offside trap to stop England on this May Day bank holiday afternoon, but Martin Lambert twice broke through to score the decisive goals.
298	16 May 1981 - France 3 England 0 [-0] Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps, Auxerre (tbc)		AL
	England: A.Hope, S.Parkin, N.Aldridge, A.Robinson, I.Macowat, D.Kerslakeᶜ, K.Jones, N.McDonald, Andy Sinton, G.Cooper, J.Neal. (used: A.Hodkinson, M.West).
	England came crashing down to Earth and probably missed Lambert's firepower as they went down to their heaviest-ever defeat against France. They would not meet again until 1987.
ESFA Dentyne Trophy
299	13 June 1981 - England 1 West Germany 2 [0-0] Wembley Stadium, London (75,000)	West Lorch, Ehreiser	HL
	England: A.Hope, S.Parkin, N.Aldridge, A.Robinson, I.Macowat, D.Kerslakeᶜ, M.Lambert, N.McDonald, M.West (G.Lovatt), K.Jones, G.Cooper (Andy Sinton). (unused: S.Crocker, J.Neal, A.Hodkinson).
	An increase on the previous year's Wembley showpiece attendance, as West Germany came from behind to lift the trophy.
Friendly match
300	16 June 1981 - England 4 West Germany 0 [1-0] Poole Stadium (4,000)	West, Lambert, Kerslake, Sinton	HW
	England: A.Hope (S.Crocker), S.Parkin, G.Lovatt, A.Robinson, I.Macowat (G.Cooper), D.Kerslakeᶜ, M.Lambert, N.McDonald, M.West, K.Jones, Andy Sinton. (unused: N.Aldridge, J.Neal, A.Hodkinson).
	Three days after Wembley, England exacted a quick revenge on their opponents.

 

Season 1981-82
Class of 1982 (born after 31 July 1966 - 15 or under on 31 July 1982): Football League debuts: Dale Gordon (Norwich City) 1984 (Division 1) - England under-18 schoolboy international (1983) aged 16, England B international (1991) Darren Beckford (Manchester City) 1984 (Division 2) Tony Daws (Notts County) 1985 (Division 2) Jon Purdie (Wolverhampton Wanderers) 1985 (Division 3) John Beresford (Barnsley) 1986 (Division 2) - England B international (1994) Kevin Keen (West Ham United) 1986 (Division 1) after Servowarm Isthmian League Premier Division debut for Wycombe Wanderers in 1982, aged 15 Fraser Digby (Swindon Town) 1986 (Division 3) Mark Seagraves (Norwich City) 1986 (Division 1) after Milk Cup semi-final debut for Liverpool Phil Priest (Blackpool) 1986 (Division 3) Michael Thomas (Portsmouth) 1987 (Division 2) - England B international (1989), Football League XI (1991) Darren Heyes (Wrexham) 1987 (Division 4) - born in Wales Ian Fairbrother (Bury) 1987 (Division 3) Simon Ratcliffe (Norwich City) 1987 (Division 1) Other league debuts: Iain Sankey (Telford United) 1987 (GM Vauxhall Conference) Full internationals: Michael Thomas (1988) aged 21 Under-21 internationals: Fraser Digby, Dale Gordon and Michael Thomas (1987), all aged 20 World Youth Championship: John Beresford, Phil Priest, Simon Ratcliffe, Michael Thomas and Darren Heyes (1985), all aged 18 Under-19 internationals: Fraser Digby (1985) aged 18 in Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon and Michael Thomas (1987) Under-18 internationals: John Beresford, Kevin Keen, Phil Priest, Mark Seagraves (1984), all aged 17, Tony Daws (1984), Fraser Digby, Simon Ratcliffe and Michael Thomas (1984), all aged 17 and Dale Gordon (1985) Under-17 internationals: Darren Beckford, John Beresford, Dale Gordon, Simon Ratcliffe, Fraser Digby, Phil Priest and Kevin Keen (1983), and Michael Thomas (1984), all aged 16
Victory Shield
301	6 March 1982 - England 4 Northern Ireland 0 [2-0] Oakwell Ground, Barnsley (5,000)	Keen, Beckford, Hutchings, Purdie	HW
	England: F.Digby, A.Spiers, Michael Thomas, M.Seagraves, S.Ratcliffeᶜ, P.Priest, P.Hutchings, I.Fairbrother, D.Beckford, K.Keen, J.Purdie. (used: J.Beresford, I.Sankey). (unused: D.Heyes, H.Wynter).
	Two weeks earlier, Northern Ireland had begun their season with their usual Wilkinson Sword Trophy fixture against their neighbours, and lost the silverware for the first time, by 2-0 to the Republic of Ireland (who would also win the Montaigu tournament in the following month) at Newry. Their second defeat followed a trip by ferry to Stranraer and then down from Scotland to Barnsley. The lack of recent home fixtures due to the troubles meant that flying was not an option and they had a relatively cheaper outlay of around £1,000. England put four goals past them for the third year in succession.
302	12 March 1982 - England 3 Wales 2 [2-1] Elm Park, Reading (4,000)	Purdie, Hellin OG, Hutchings Backhouse, C.Evans	HW
	England: F.Digby, A.Spiers, Michael Thomas, M.Seagraves, S.Ratcliffeᶜ, K.Keen, P.Hutchings, P.Priest, D.Beckford, I.Fairbrother, J.Purdie. (unused: D.Heyes, H.Wynter, I.Sankey, J.Beresford).
	Suffering from a choppy Irish Sea crossing, Wales had come back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the Republic of Ireland at the Iveagh Grounds, Dublin, six days earlier, but England were always in control against them in this Friday-night encounter. Eight days later, Northern Ireland held Scotland to a goalless draw at Stair Park, Stranraer which meant that England only needed one more point to win the Victory Shield outright for the first time since 1979.
Friendly matches
303	27 March 1982 - England 7 Netherlands 0 [3-0] Wembley Stadium, London (43,870)	Beckford, Purdie (2), Priest, Hutchings, Keen, Fairbrother (pen)	HW
	England: F.Digby (D.Heyes), A.Spiers, Michael Thomas (J.Beresford), M.Seagravesᶜ, H.Wynter, P.Priest, P.Hutchings, I.Fairbrother, D.Beckford, K.Keen (I.Sankey), J.Purdie.
	England's biggest victory over the Dutch, with all seven goals coming in the first fifty minutes. Wynter was a late replacement for the injured captain, Simon Ratcliffe.

304	3 April 1982 - England 1 Switzerland 0 [0-0] Bootham Crescent, York (tbc)	Seagraves	HW
	England: D.Heyes, A.Spiers, Michael Thomas, M.Seagraves, S.Ratcliffeᶜ, P.Priest, P.Hutchings, I.Fairbrother, D.Beckford, K.Keen, J.Purdie. (used: I.Sankey).
	Another dominant performance from England, but they only had the one goal to show for it. Switzerland went on to Scotland, two days later, where, in their first-ever meeting, the Scots won 2-0 at Airdrie.
Victory Shield
305	24 April 1982 - Scotland 3 England 0 [2-0] Stark's Park, Kirkcaldy (6,000)	Winnie, Muirhead (2)	AL
	England: D.Heyes, A.Spiers, Michael Thomas, M.Seagraves, S.Ratcliffeᶜ, P.Priest, P.Hutchings (I.Sankey), I.Fairbrother, D.Beckford, J.Beresford, J.Purdie (K.Keen).
	Scotland had beaten Wales, 3-2 at Cwmbran to give themselves a shot at the Victory Shield, whilst Northern Ireland managed to complete their shield fixtures for the first time in three years, but failed to register a goal in a 2-0 defeat to Wales at Pontllanfraith. The Irish then took a historic first continental trip, losing to West Germany for the first time, by 6-0 in Kehl, but beating Switzerland in their first meeting, 2-1 in Aarau. After losing to France for the first time (apart from the short games at Montaigu), 2-0 at Aberystwyth, Wales also visited Switzerland in the following month, but lost, 2-1 to them in Marly, and 1-0 in Lyss. Meanwhile, England took the field needing a point to lift the shield, but it was the more skilful Scottish team who had the better of them and won it outright for the first time since 1974.
Friendly matches
306	11 May 1982 - West Germany 2 England 1 [1-0] Olympiastadion, Berlin (70,000)	Knäbel (2) Seagraves	AL
	England: D.Heyes, A.Spiers, Michael Thomas, M.Seagraves, S.Ratcliffeᶜ, P.Priest, P.Hutchings, I.Fairbrother, D.Beckford, K.Keen, J.Purdie. (used: I.Sankey, H.Wynter). (unused: F.Digby, J.Beresford, R.Gordon).
	England went down to a last-minute winner after equalising with eight minutes left.
307	13 May 1982 - West Germany 3 England 0 [3-0] Waldstadion, Frankfurt am Main (50,000)	Janβen, Grün, Klaus	AL
	England: D.Heyes (F.Digby), A.Spiers, Michael Thomas, M.Seagraves, S.Ratcliffeᶜ, I.Sankey, H.Wynter, I.Fairbrother, D.Beckford, K.Keen, J.Purdie. (used: J.Beresford, R.Gordon, P.Hutchings). (unused: P.Priest).
	England's hopes of a swift revenge, two days later, were shattered when the Germans scored three goals in the first 15 minutes.
ESFA Dentyne Trophy
308	5 June 1982 - England 0 Scotland 0 [0-0] Wembley Stadium, London (61,700)		HD
	England: D.Heyes, A.Spiers, Michael Thomas, M.Seagraves, S.Ratcliffeᶜ (H.Wynter), I.Sankey, D.Gordon, I.Fairbrother, D.Beckford, K.Keen (P.Priest), A.Daws. (unused: F.Digby, J.Beresford, R.Gordon).
	England regained some pride against the Victory Shield winners on a humid afternoon at Wembley in Jim Morrow's last match as team manager, after twelve years in the job. It was a period which saw England establish a successful pattern of settled sides in each season, with minimal changes.

 

Season 1982-83
Class of 1983 (born after 31 July 1967 - 15 or under on 31 July 1983): Football League debuts: Neill Rimmer (Everton) 1985 (Division 1) Paul Moulden (Manchester City) 1986 (Division 1) Dale White (Sunderland) 1986 (Division 2) Julian Darby (Bolton Wanderers) 1986 (Division 3) Ian Bogie (Newcastle United) 1986 (Division 1) Aidan Murphy (Lincoln City) 1986 (Division 4) Gavin Peacock (Queen's Park Rangers) 1986 (Division 1) - Barclays League XI (1992), PFA Barclays League Team of the Year (1993, Newcastle United) Tony Nesbit (Newcastle United) 1986 (Division 1) after Full Members' Cup debut Michael Thomas (Portsmouth) 1987 (Division 2) - England B international (1989), Football League XI (1991) Karl Goddard (Bradford City) 1987 (Division 2) Ian Scott (Manchester City) 1987 (Division 2) Kevin Pressman (Sheffield Wednesday) 1987 (Division 1) - England under-18 schoolboy international (1984) aged 16, England B international (1994) Other debuts: Trevor Lake (Colchester United) 1987 (Littlewoods Cup) - retired through injury Full internationals: Michael Thomas (1988) aged 21 Under-21 internationals: Michael Thomas (1987) and Kevin Pressman (1988), both aged 20 Under-19 internationals: Paul Moulden, Michael Thomas, Gavin Peacock and Kevin Pressman (1987) World Youth Championship: Michael Thomas and Paul Moulden (1985), both aged 18 Under-18 internationals: Paul Moulden (1984) aged 17, Kevin Pressman and Neill Rimmer (1984), both aged 16, Michael Thomas (1984) aged 17, and Aidan Murphy and Gavin Peacock (1985), both aged 17 Under-17 internationals: Paul Moulden (1983), and Michael Thomas and Kevin Pressman (1984), all aged 16, and Aidan Murphy and Gavin Peacock (1985)
Victory Shield
309	26 February 1983 - England 4 Northern Ireland 0 [2-0] The Dell, Southampton (tbc)	White, Goddard, Rimmer, Scott	HW
	England: K.Pressman, Michael Thomasᶜ, D.Crumpton, S.Parsons, D.O'Brien, G.Peacock, N.Rimmer, I.Bogie (A.Nesbit), D.White, I.Scott, K.Goddard. (unused: T.Lake, A.Murphy).
	With former assistant, Ralph O'Donnell succeeding Jim Morrow as team manager, England began yet another season by putting four goals past Northern Ireland, the fourth in successive years, as the Irish once more had to give up home advantage in the Victory Shield, even though both England and Wales re-visited Belfast for full internationals, three months later. They had already been thrashed, 5-1, by the Republic of Ireland, two weeks earlier, at Cobh, and it was to be a bleak season for them. They lost their two remaining games, by 4-0 to Scotland at Cappielow Park, Greenock, and 3-0 to Wales at the Holywell Road Ground, Flint, stretching their barren run to nine Victory Shield matches without a goal.
Friendly matches
310	19 March 1983 - England 1 West Germany 0 [0-0] Wembley Stadium, London (45,000)	Rimmer	HW
	England: K.Pressman, Michael Thomasᶜ, D.Crumpton, S.Parsons, D.O'Brien, G.Peacock, N.Rimmer, I.Bogie (A.Nesbit), D.White, I.Scott, K.Goddard. (unused: T.Lake, A.Murphy, J.Darby).
	Although the stadium was less than half-full, it was still the biggest crowd of the day, bigger than the Merseyside derby, and the ESFA took receipts of £120,000 as the Germans lost at Wembley for the first time since 1974. West Germany ended their visit, three days later, by beating Scotland, 1-0 at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow.
311	16 April 1983 - Netherlands 1 England 2 [1-1] Sportpark Schutlanden, Hoogeveen (3,000)	Rimmer (2)	AW
	England: T.Lake, Michael Thomasᶜ, D.Crumpton, A.Murphy, D.O'Brien, G.Peacock, N.Rimmer, A.Nesbit, D.White, I.Scott, K.Goddard. (used: I.Bogie, J.Darby). (unused: K.Pressman, S.Parsons).
	England made three changes for the trip to the Netherlands, but Neill Rimmer slooted in his fourth goal in three games to seal another victory.
Victory Shield
312	30 April 1983 - England 1 Scotland 1 [1-0] Victoria Ground, Stoke-on-Trent (6,000)	Peacock Murray	HD
	England: K.Pressman, Michael Thomasᶜ, D.Crumpton, A.Murphy, D.O'Brien, G.Peacock, N.Rimmer, A.Nesbit, D.White, I.Scott, K.Goddard. (used: I.Bogie, P.Moulden). (unused: T.Lake, S.Parsons, J.Darby).
	Apart from beating Northern Ireland, Scotland had also beaten Wales, 4-1 at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh and had reached the final of the Montaigu tournament, where they were beaten, 4-0 by France in their first full-length match meeting, but if they could avoid defeat against England, it would secure a historic fourth successive Victory Shield for them, with a win taking the shield outright. A very even contest left England needing to win in Wales, seven days later, to share the shield. The Sunday Post credited Kirkwood with Scotland's goal.
313	7 May 1983 - Wales 0 England 5 [0-] Somerton Park, Newport (tbc)	Peacock, White (2), Bogie, Parsons	AW
	England: K.Pressman, Michael Thomasᶜ, D.Crumpton, A.Murphy, D.O'Brien, G.Peacock, N.Rimmer, A.Nesbit, D.White, I.Bogie, K.Goddard. (used: S.Parsons, J.Darby). (unused: T.Lake, I.Scott).
	After losing to Scotland in the Victory Shield, and before beating Northern Ireland, Wales had drawn, 3-3 with the Republic of Ireland at Abergavenny, and they were to be the hosts for Belgium's first visit to the United Kingdom for a schoolboy international, at Colwyn Bay, three weeks later, when they were beaten by a single goal. They were less of a challenge to England, who secured a share of the Victory Shield with Scotland, with relative ease.

ESFA Dentyne Trophy
314	11 June 1983 - England 3 Scotland 3 [2-0] Wembley Stadium, London (46,000)	Scott, Rimmer, Moulden Miller,Murray, Kelly	HD
	England: K.Pressman, Michael Thomasᶜ, D.Crumpton, A.Murphy, D.O'Brien, G.Peacock (J.Darby), N.Rimmer, I.Scott, D.White, A.Nesbit (I.Bogie), P.Moulden. (unused: T.Lake, S.Parsons, K.Goddard).
	Scotland had visited Switzerland for the first time, three weeks earlier, and won 6-0 in Solothurn, but England were keen to establish superiority over them after they had shared the Victory Shield between them, and they were well on their way to winning the Dentyne Trophy outright for the first time, leading 3-1 with seven minutes left, before their resilient opponents fought back to share the trophy for the second year in succession. England captain, Michael Thomas, an ever-present for two years, had the distinction of scoring one of the most dramatic goals of all-time in 1989, snatching the league championship for Arsenal from Liverpool at Anfield, with forty seconds to spare at the end of the last match of the season.

 

Season 1983-84
Class of 1984 (born after 31 July 1968 - 15 or under on 31 July 1984): Football League debuts: Richard Harvey (Luton Town) 1986 (Division 1) Vaughan Ryan (Wimbledon) 1986 (Division 1) David Tomlinson (Sheffield Wednesday) 1987 (Division 1) Mark Burke (Aston Villa) 1987 (Division 1) Gareth Hall (Chelsea) 1987 (Division 1) - Welsh international (1988) Lee Martin (Huddersfield Town) 1987 (Division 2) Francis Benali (Southampton) 1988 (Division 1) John Jeffers (Port Vale) 1988 (Division 3) David Wilson (Manchester United) 1988 (Division 1) Under-19 internationals: Richard Harvey (1987) aged 18 Under-18 internationals: Mark Burke (1986) aged 17, and Richard Harvey (1986) aged 16
Victory Shield
315	3 March 1984 - England 1 Northern Ireland 0 [1-0] Athletic Ground, Scarborough (3,100)	Benali	HW
	England: L.Martin, G.Hall, R.Harvey, D.Berry, R.Garwoodᶜ, R.Harding, D.Tomlinson, V.Ryan, F.Benali, J.Jeffers, M.Burke. (used: G.Breeds, D.Wilson). (unused: H.Whitehouse, P.Reddington).
	Northern Ireland kept England down to one goal in the 13th minute, but extended their goal-shy run in the Victory Shield to eleven games, two days later, when they again went down to a single goal, against Scotland at Netherdale, Galashiels; the Scots, like England and Wales, still refusing to play in Northern Ireland, despite their full internationals choosing to visit the province for matches. The usual season's curtain-raiser between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland was not played until April, when the Republic came back from being two goals down to draw, 2-2 at Ballyclare.
Nabisco Brands Food Service Cup
316	17 March 1984 - England 1 Scotland 0 [1-0] Wembley Stadium, London (40,000)	Burke	HW
	England: L.Martin, G.Hall, R.Harvey, D.Berry, R.Garwoodᶜ (P.Reddington), R.Harding, D.Tomlinson, D.Wilson, F.Benali, J.Jeffers, M.Burke. (unused: H.Whitehouse, G.Breeds, V.Ryan).
	Another first-half winner for England as they finally overcame Scotland at Wembley for the first time since 1978 and won the new trophy introduced for England's March internationals at the stadium. Scotland had been putting the pressure on England in the Victory Shield by beating Wales, 1-0 at Ninian Park, Cardiff, nine days earlier, and England would have to avoid defeat in Scotland, seven days later, or they would lose the title.
Victory Shield
317	24 March 1984 - Scotland 0 England 1 [0-0] Love Street, Paisley (1,500)	Burke	AW
	England: L.Martin, G.Hall, R.Harvey, D.Berry, R.Garwoodᶜ, G.Breeds (V.Ryan), D.Tomlinson, D.Wilson, F.Benali, J.Jeffers, M.Burke. (unused: P.Reddington).
	Mark Burke's header, two minutes from time, meant that England retained the Victory Shield, and needed one more point to win it outright. Welsh interest was ended, six days later, when Northern Ireland ended their goal drought by beating them, 2-0 at the Holywell Road Ground, Flint.
Friendly matches
318	4 April 1984 - West Germany 4 England 1 [0-1] Olympiastadion, Berlin (tbc)	Jester, Witeczek, Schlichting, Kostner Benali	AL
	England: L.Martin, G.Hall, R.Harvey, D.Berry, R.Garwoodᶜ, V.Ryan, D.Tomlinson, D.Wilson, F.Benali, J.Jeffers, M.Burke. (used: P.Reddington). (unused: H.Whitehouse, S.Mills, R.Harding, G.Breeds).
	After three-and-a-half clean sheets, England were overwhelmed by their German hosts in the second half.
319	6 April 1984 - West Germany 2 England 0 [2-0] Ludwigsparkstadion, Saarbrücken (tbc)	Schlichting, Witeczek	AL
	England: L.Martin (H.Whitehouse), G.Hall, R.Harvey, D.Berry, R.Garwoodᶜ, R.Harding, D.Tomlinson, D.Wilson, F.Benali, P.Reddington, M.Burke. (used: V.Ryan, G.Breeds, J.Jeffers, S.Mills).
	England used all five of their substitutes, but went down to a second defeat, two days later, their fifth successive defeat in Germany.
320	1 May 1984 - Switzerland 1 England 2 [0-1] Sportplatz Moos, Lengnau (tbc)	Giger Reddington, Ryan	AW
	England: H.Whitehouse, S.Mills, R.Harvey, D.Berry, R.Garwoodᶜ, V.Ryan, D.Tomlinson, D.Wilson, F.Benali, P.Reddington, M.Burke. (used: R.Harding, J.Jeffers). (unused: L.Martin, G.Hall, C.Bell).
	Switzerland had begun the previous month with a tour of the United Kingdom, playing each of the other three home nations. They lost all three games. Wales beat them, 3-0 at Ebbw Vale, Northern Ireland by 2-1 at Coleraine, and Scotland, the only one of the three countries that they had previously visited, by a single goal, three minutes from the end, at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. After almost a month's break, England embarked on another short trip to the continent, with two matches in three days.
321	3 May 1984 - Switzerland 0 England 1 [-] Sportzentrum, Zuchwil (tbc)	Benali	AW
	England: L.Martin, G.Hall, S.Mills, R.Harvey, D.Berryᶜ, R.Harding, D.Tomlinson, D.Wilson, F.Benali, P.Reddington, C.Bell. (used: M.Burke). (unused: H.Whitehouse, R.Garwood, V.Ryan, J.Jeffers).
	England made four changes and got back to a clean sheet and a single-goal victory, as per the first three games of the season.
Victory Shield
322	18 May 1984 - England 4 Wales 2 [-] Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham (tbc)	Bell, Tomlinson (2), Jeffers Wharton, Jones	HW
	England: L.Martin, G.Hall, S.Mills, R.Harvey, D.Berryᶜ, P.Reddington, D.Tomlinson, D.Wilson, F.Benali, C.Bell, M.Burke. (used: J.Jeffers). (unused: H.Whitehouse, R.Harding, V.Ryan).
	England only needed a point to lift the Victory Shield outright for the first time since 1979, and after seven goals in seven games, they finally managed to find some goalscoring form in this Friday-night match. Wales suffered their third shield defeat of a season in which they had greatly extended their fixture list to include internationals on the continent. As well as beating the Republic of Ireland, 2-0 at Tolka Park, Dublin, they beat Switzerland at home and played two games in North Rhein-Westphalia in West Germany, losing 5-0 in Rheine and 2-0 in Herford, before heading to Luxembourg for three games against countries that they had never previously met, and that England had yet to play at this level. Wales beat Italy and Luxembourg, each by 2-0 in Colmar-Berg, but lost 3-1 to Norway in Ettelbruck.
Smiths International Shield
323	9 June 1984 - England 4 Netherlands 1 [2-0] Wembley Stadium, London (33,000)	Burke (3), Bell Alma	HW
	England: L.Martin, S.Mills, R.Harvey, D.Berry, R.Garwoodᶜ (G.Hall), P.Reddington, D.Tomlinson, D.Wilson (R.Harding), F.Benali, C.Bell, M.Burke. (unused: H.Whitehouse, V.Ryan, J.Jeffers).
	Mark Burke's hat-trick gave England the new sponsors' prize, as they ended the season with a confident victory, though the Wembley attendance continued its downward trend, with ITV continuing to broadcast the last fixture of the season live.

   

Season 1984-85
Class of 1985 (born after 31 July 1969 - 15 or under on 31 July 1985): League debuts: Steve Tutill (York City) 1987 (Division 3) after Freight Rover Trophy debut Peter Atherton (Wigan Athletic) 1987 (Division 3) - PFA Division 3 Team of the Year (1991) Lee Darby (Portsmouth) 1988 (Division 1) Ian Docker (Gillingham) 1988 (Division 3) Rod Thomas (Watford) 1988 (Division 1) Jason Beckford (Manchester City) 1988 (Division 2) Tony Elliott (Hereford United) 1989 (Division 4) John Ebbrell (Everton) 1989 (Division 1) Paul Atkin (Bury) 1989 (Division 3) Paul Kelly (West Ham United) 1990 (Division 2) Shaun Murray (Portsmouth) 1990 (Division 2) Alan Miller (Arsenal) 1992 (FA Premier League) Simon Hutchinson (Wycombe Wanderers) 1993 (Division 3 - fourth tier) after GM Vauxhall Conference debut in 1990 Under-21 internationals: Alan Miller (1988) aged 18, John Ebbrell (1989) aged 19, Rod Thomas (1990) aged 19 in Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon, and Peter Atherton (1991) Under-17 internationals: Jason Beckford, Tony Elliott and Rod Thomas (1986), all aged 16, John Ebbrell, Danny Esqulant, Paul Kelly and Simon Hutchinson (1986), Paul Atkin (1987) and Shaun Murray (1987) aged 16 Under-16 internationals: Tony Elliott, Alan Miller, Bradley Wright, Jason Beckford, Danny Esqulant and Paul Kelly (1985), all aged 15, John Ebbrell, Simon Hutchinson and Paul Atkin (1985), and Rod Thomas (1986) aged 15
Victory Shield
324	22 February 1985 - England 4 Northern Ireland 0 [2-0] Brisbane Road, Leyton (700)	Murray, Esqulant, Thomas, Starkey	HW
	England: A.Elliott, P.Kelly, I.Docker, S.Tutill, P.Atkin, J.Ebbrellᶜ, R.Thomas, S.Murray (B.Wright), J.Beckford, D.Esqulant (C.Starkey), S.Ward.
	England's earliest-ever start to a season began with another comfortable victory against Northern Ireland on a Friday night in their new Nabisco-branded Umbro kit, after again deciding against travelling to what should have been an away game. Two of the scorers, Murray and Thomas, were from the following year's age group and would not turn 15 until the autumn. Six of the starting eleven (Atkin, Beckford, Ebbrell, Elliott, Esqulant and Kelly), plus, substitute, Wright were all first-year students from the Football Association's new General Motors National School at Lilleshall. The likely unused substitutes would have been A.Miller and S.Hutchinson, both of whom were also at the National School. Northern Ireland picked up only one point in the Victory Shield (against Wales), but won in Dublin before losing to Switzerland for the first time, 6-1 in Vevey.
Nabisco Group Food Service Cup
325	16 March 1985 - England 0 West Germany 1 [0-1] Wembley Stadium, London (35,761)	Koerner (pen)	HL
	England: A.Elliott, P.Kellyᶜ, I.Docker, S.Tutill, P.Atkin, L.Darby, R.Thomas, S.Murray (S.Hutchinson), J.Beckford, D.Esqulant, S.Ward (C.Starkey). (unused: A.Miller, B.Wright).
	England's captain, John Ebbrell broke an ankle in training, three days before the game, and was replaced by Darby, another National School student. A twelfth-minute spot-kick was enough to win the trophy for West Germany.
Victory Shield
326	22 March 1985 - England 4 Scotland 3 [1-2] City Ground, Nottingham (7,249)	Tutill, Thomas (2), Esqulant Spencer, Bishop, Connolly	HW
	England: A.Elliott, P.Kellyᶜ, I.Docker, S.Tutill, P.Atkin, L.Darby, R.Thomas, S.Murray, J.Beckford, D.Esqulant, S.Hutchinson. (used: C.Starkey).
	England had one hand on the Victory Shield again, after coming from behind in a Friday-night thriller to win with 14-year-old Rod Thomas's last-minute header. Scotland won their two remaining shield games; 2-1 against Northern Ireland at Prestonfield, Linlithgow and 2-0 against Wales at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock to give England a share of the title, but needing one more point to retain it outright. Two months after the England game, Scotland welcomed France for the first time and drew 1-1 with them at Aberdeen.
Friendly matches
327	29 March 1985 - England 1 Republic of Ireland 2 [1-1] Villa Park, Birmingham (tbc)	Beckford Lemon (2)	HL
	England: A.Miller, P.Kellyᶜ, I.Docker, S.Tutill, P.Atkin, L.Darby, R.Thomas, S.Murray, J.Beckford, D.Esqulant, S.Hutchinson. (used: C.Starkey, S.Ward, replaced Murray).
	Four weeks earlier, Ireland had lost, 3-1 to Wales at Milford Haven. Scotland had then visited the Republic of Ireland for the first time, and lost, 2-0 at Tolka Park, Dublin. Like the Scots, England had not played Ireland at all since 1979, and their second successive Friday-night match was a sobering experience. Five weeks later, the Republic surprisingly lost the Wilkinson Sword Trophy, by a single goal to Northern Ireland at Tolka Park, Dublin, as they completed their first season where they had played all four nations of the United Kingdom.
328	9 May 1985 - Netherlands 0 England 2 [0-1] Sportpark De Bongerd, Barendrecht (tbc)	Thomas (2)	AW
	England: A.Elliott, P.Kellyᶜ, I.Docker, S.Tutill, P.Atkin, P.Atherton, S.Hutchinson, R.Thomas, R.Greene, D.Esqulant, S.Ward. (used: S.Murray, C.Starkey). (unused: A.Miller, L.Darby).
	After a seven-week break, England returned for a short trip to the Netherlands, who, eight weeks earlier, had entertained Wales for the first time, and beaten them, 3-0 in Oss. The Birmingham Mail indicated that local boy, Robert Greene had scored on his England debut in Holland, but this is not verified by the ESFA, or by the KNVB in the Netherlands.
329	11 May 1985 - Netherlands 1 England 0 [0-0] Sportpark Middenwetering, Kampen (tbc)	Alma	AL
	England: A.Miller, P.Kellyᶜ, I.Docker, S.Tutill, P.Atkin, P.Atherton, S.Hutchinson, R.Thomas, R.Greene, D.Esqulant, S.Ward. (used: S.Murray, C.Starkey). (unused: A.Elliott, L.Darby).
	Two days later, England made just one change, in goal, and in their twentieth meeting since 1969, the Netherlands beat them for the first time, thanks to Frans Alma, who had scored at Wembley as a 14-year-old, in the previous year. The Dutch made two changes from the earlier fixture. Three weeks later, the Netherlands were in Northern Ireland to play two matches as part of the Dale Farm Ulster Games festival. The Dutch beat them (for the first time) twice in three days; 5-3 at Ballyskeagh and 2-1 at Antrim.
Victory Shield
330	16 May 1985 - Wales 3 England 3 [1-0] Vetch Field, Swansea (tbc)	Graham, Kennedy, Tutill OG Thomas, Starkey, Greene	AD
	England: A.Elliott, P.Kellyᶜ, I.Docker, S.Tutill, P.Atkin, P.Atherton, S.Murray, R.Thomas, C.Starkey, D.Esqulant, L.Darby. (used: R.Greene, S.Hutchinson).
	As well as losing to the Netherlands and Scotland, and beating the Republic of Ireland, Wales had suffered their first defeat in France (apart from at Montaigu) when they lost, 1-0 to the French in Boulogne. They had picked up a Victory Shield point, however, in a 2-2 draw with Northern Ireland at Stair Park, Stranraer, played in Scotland as part of the continued refusal of the British nations to cross the Irish Sea to play their away games in the competition. In this Thursday-afternoon climax to the competition, England needed a point to win the shield outright for the second year in succession, but seemed destined to share it with Scotland, after finding themselves three goals down in the second half, but with a miraculous recovery, the first time that they had ever managed such a comeback, they grabbed the point and almost sneaked a winner, as well. Chris Starkey's goal was the best of the three, in his first start for the team following a record six consecutive substitute appearances.

Smiths International Shield
331	8 June 1985 - England 2 Switzerland 0 [0-0] Wembley Stadium, London (31,653)	Murray, Ebrell	HW
	England: A.Elliott, P.Kelly (B.Wright), I.Docker, S.Tutill, P.Atkin, P.Atherton, S.Murray, R.Thomas, R.Greene, C.Starkey (J.Beckford), J.Ebbrellᶜ. (unused: A.Miller, L.Darby, S.Hutchinson, D.Esqulant, S.Ward).
	England retained the Smiths International Shield as the returning captain from injury, John Ebbrell sealed the victory. NIne weeks later, seven of the season's under-15 internationals were back at Wembley playing for England's under-16s against Yugoslavia.

 

Season 1985-86
Class of 1986 (born after 31 July 1970 - 15 or under on 31 July 1986): Football League debuts (* Montaigu squad only): Rod Thomas (Watford) 1988 (Division 1) Ronnie Morris (Birmingham City) 1988 (Division 2) Darrell Duffy (Aston Villa) 1989 (Division 1) Andy Marriott (West Bromwich Albion) 1989 (Division 2) - Welsh international (1996) Colin Small (Rochdale) 1989 (Division 4) Mark Blake (Aston Villa) 1989 (Division 1) * Jason Drysdale (Watford) 1989 (Division 2) - Barclays League XI (1992) * Adrian Littlejohn (Walsall) 1990 (Division 3) * Graham Stuart (Chelsea) 1990 (Division 1) * Paul Shepstone (Blackburn Rovers) 1990 (Division 2) Shaun Murray (Portsmouth) 1990 (Division 2) Dean Kiely (York City) 1991 (Division 4) - Republic of Ireland international (1999) * Jason Soloman (Watford) 1991 (Division 2) Paul Wratten (Manchester United) 1991 (Division 1) * Wayne Bullimore (Barnsley) 1991 (Division 2) - PFA Division 3 Team of the Year (1995, Scunthorpe United) - fourth tier * Gary McKeown (Shrewsbury Town) 1992 (Division 3) Under-21 internationals: Rod Thomas (1990) in Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon, and Mark Blake (1990), both aged 19 and Andy Marriott (1992) in Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon - Graham Stuart of the Montaigu squad also became an under-21 international in 1990, aged 19. Under-17 internationals: Rod Thomas (1986), Mark Blake, Lee Cormack, Jason Hall, Andy Marriott, Shaun Murray, Mark Parrott, Paul Wratten, Darrell Duffy and Paul Masters (1987), all aged 16 and Dean Kiely (1988) - from the Montaigu squad, Jason Bond, Gary McKeown, Jason Soloman and Graham Stuart, all aged 16, also became under-17 internationals in 1987, as did Jason Drysdale in 1988. Under-16 internationals: Lee Cormack, Darrell Duffy, Andy Marriott, Ronnie Morris, Rod Thomas and Jason Hall (1986), all aged 15, and Dean Kiely (1986) - the other nine members of the Montaigu squad (Jason Bond, Wayne Bullimore, Jason Drysdale, Adrian Littlejohn, Gary McKeown, Lee Parker, Paul Shepstone, Jason Soloman and Graham Stuart), all aged 15, also became under-16 internationals in 1986.
Victory Shield
332	21 February 1986 - England 6 Northern Ireland 0 [4-0] St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne (5,202)	Thomas, Murray, Small, Parrott (2), Blake	HW
	England: A.Marriott (D.Kiely), M.Jenkins, J.Hall, P.Masters, D.Duffy, J.Donnelly, R.Thomas, C.Small, M.Blake, S.Murrayᶜ, M.Parrott. (used: L.Cormack, S.Didlick, replaced Small). (unused: P.Wratten - unconfirmed).
	Another earliest-ever start to a season for England on a pitch covered in three inches of snow on a Friday night. Despite a snowstorm also raging during the game, England produced their customary thrashing of their visitors, inspired by the two returning internationals from the previous year; captain, Shaun Murray, and Rod Thomas, who was now at the FA National School at Lilleshall, as were Cormack, Duffy, Hall, Kiely and Marriott. England had now scored 23 goals without reply in their last six meetings, all at home. Northern Ireland had retained the Wilkinson Sword Trophy, six days earlier, by beating the Republic of Ireland, 2-1 at the Junior International Stadium, Belfast.
Nabisco Group Food Service Cup
333	8 March 1986 - England 1 Netherlands 0 [1-0] Wembley Stadium, London (21,650)	Thomas	HW
	England: A.Marriott, M.Jenkins, J.Hall, P.Masters, D.Duffy, J.Donnelly, R.Thomas, C.Small (P.Wratten), M.Blake, S.Murrayᶜ, M.Parrott. (unused: D.Kiely, S.Didlick, L.Cormack).
	England regained the Nabisco Cup and gained revenge for the previous year's defeat by the Dutch, in front of Wembley's lowest-ever attendance for a schoolboy international, affected by the long-running dispute over pay by the National Union of Teachers, because it was schoolmasters who were required to accompany thousands of children to the Wembley games.
Friendly match
334	21 March 1986 - England 3 Republic of Ireland 1 [1-1] Maine Road, Manchester (1,000)	Murray (2 (1 pen)), Blake Carroll	HW
	England: A.Marriott, M.Jenkins, J.Hall, P.Masters, D.Duffy, S.Didlick, R.Thomas, P.Wratten, M.Blake, S.Murrayᶜ, L.Cormack. (unused: D.Kiely, J.Donnelly, C.Small, M.Parrott).
	England conceded a goal in the first minute, but came back to beat the Irish (coached by former international, Ray Treacy) for the first time since 1970. The equaliser came about in the fifth minute, after O'Brien saved Thomas's penalty, only for the referee to order it to be retaken, and the captain stepped up to score. Ireland held out until ten minutes from the end, after which England scored twice more. The Manchester Evening News gave England's third goal to Masters, instead of Murray.

Mondial Minimes Montaigu in Vendée, France
The Football Association, and not the ESFA, entered this tournament with an under-15 squad for the first time, as the competition was stretched over the four days of the Easter weekend. It had been a three-day under-14 tournament when England had last entered it, in 1979. The final was now of eighty minutes' duration, as per usual under-15 schoolboy internationals, but the other games were all of sixty minutes (thirty in each half). England's squad of 16 players was comprised solely of first-year students from the GM National School, six of which had already represented the ESFA's under-15 team. Their first match was at 3pm on Good Friday, whilst on the Saturday they played at 10:30am, followed by their final group match at 3:45pm. The semi-final and final were played on separate, but consecutive days, at 4:30 and 5:15pm, respectively. England met African opposition for the first time, and though they beat them in their group game, and took the lead in the final, Cameroon finally broke down a defence that had gone almost five hours, over the four days, without conceding a goal.
-	pool A		NW
	28 March 1986 - Poland 0 England 1 [0-nk] Montaigu (tbc)	Thomas
	England: A.Marriott, G.Stuart, J.Drysdale, D.Duffy, L.Parker, N.Bond, R.Thomasᶜ, G.McKeown, L.Cormack, P.Shepstone, R.Morris.
-	29 March 1986 - England 1 Cameroon 0 [nk-0] Boufféré (tbc)	Thomas	NW
	England: D.Kiely, G.Stuart, J.Drysdale, L.Parker, J.Soloman, D.Duffy (unconfirmed), R.Thomasᶜ, G.McKeown, L.Cormack, P.Shepstone, A.Littlejohn.
-	29 March 1986 - Switzerland 0 England 1 [0-nk] Boufféré (tbc)	McKeown	NW
	England: A.Marriott, G.Stuart, J.Drysdale, L.Parker, D.Duffy, G.McKeown, R.Thomasᶜ, W.Bullimore, R.Morris, J.Hall, N.Bond.
-	semi-final		NW
	30 March 1986 - England 1 Belgium 0 [nk-0] Stade Maxime Bossis, Montaigu (tbc)	Thomas
	England: D.Kiely, G.Stuart, J.Drysdale, D.Duffy, J.Soloman, G.McKeown, R.Thomasᶜ, W.Bullimore, R.Morris (A.Littlejohn), J.Hall (P.Shepstone), L.Cormack.

335	FINAL		NL
	31 March 1986 - Cameroon 3 England 1 [0-0] Stade Maxime Bossis, Montaigu (tbc)	Netang (2), Nzam McKeown (pen)
	England: A.Marriott (D.Kiely), G.Stuart, J.Drysdale, D.Duffy, L.Parker, G.McKeown, R.Thomasᶜ, W.Bullimore, R.Morris (J.Soloman), L.Cormack, P.Shepstone (N.Bond).
England are the runners-up of the Mondial Minimes Montaigu
Friendly matches
336	9 April 1986 - England 3 Belgium 1 [-] Portman Road, Ipswich (tbc)	Blake (2), Murray	HW
	England: A.Marriott, M.Jenkins, J.Hall, S.Didlick, J.Donnelly, C.Small, R.Thomas, M.Blake, S.Murrayᶜ, L.Cormack, M.Parrott. (used: R.Morris, P.Wratten).
	The first meeting between the two countries at under-15 level was postponed because of a frozen pitch on 26 February, but rearranged for seven weeks later. Belgium had twice previously won 1-0 in Wales, though they had lost by a single goal to the FA National School team, ten days earlier, in the Montaigu semi-final which was only an hour long.
337	22 April 1986 - West Germany 1 England 1 [1-0] Olympiastadion, Berlin (45,000)	Gradwohl Blake	AD
	England: A.Marriott, S.Didlick, J.Hall, P.Masters, D.Duffy, J.Donnelly, C.Small, R.Thomas, M.Blake, S.Murrayᶜ, L.Cormack. (used: R.Morris, P.Wratten). (unused: M.Parrott).
	A well-deserved draw for England, as they avoided defeat in Germany for the first time since 1980, but they did not equalise until there were eight minutes left to play. Jenkins missed the trip due to a virus.
338	24 April 1986 - West Germany 2 England 1 [0-1] Niedersachsenstadion, Hannover (40,000)	Klauβ (2) Thomas	AL
	England: A.Marriott, S.Didlick, J.Hall, P.Masters, D.Duffy, J.Donnelly, R.Thomas, P.Wratten, M.Blake, S.Murrayᶜ, L.Cormack. (used: M.Parrott, C.Small). (unused: R.Morris).
	Two days later, it was England that struck first, but an inspired German substitution turned things around for them.
339	6 May 1986 - Switzerland 1 England 7 [1-5] Sportenlage Sandreutenen, Münsingen (tbc)	Wenger Thomas (3), Wratten, Cormack, Murray, OG	AW
	England: D.Kiely, S.Didlick, J.Hall, P.Masters, D.Duffy, J.Donnelly, R.Thomas, P.Wratten, M.Blake, S.Murrayᶜ, L.Cormack. (used: R.Morris, C.Small). (unused: A.Marriott, M.Jenkins).
	England took a two-week break and then returned to the continent to demolish the Swiss, twice in three days. Subject to unknown goalscorers from the early 1970s not revealing higher totals, Rod Thomas's hat-trick equalled Richard Bell's fifty-year scoring record for schoolboy internationals, though Bell's achievement was in just three matches at the age of 14. Thomas was making a record 17th appearance for the under-15s over a two-year period (including for the FA National School team in the Montaigu tournament final).
340	8 May 1986 - Switzerland 1 England 4 [0-1] Stade Universitaire Saint-Léonard, Fribourg (400)	Matzenauer Cormack (2), Morris (2)	AW
	England: D.Kiely (A.Marriott), S.Didlick, J.Hall, P.Masters, R.Morris, J.Donnelly, R.Thomas, P.Wratten, M.Blake, S.Murrayᶜ, L.Cormack. (used: M.Jenkins, C.Small). (unused: D.Duffy).
	A ninth successive victory against Switzerland in seven years. The FA National School team had also beaten them at Montaigu in a shortened hour-long game in March.
Victory Shield
341	17 May 1986 - Scotland 4 England 4 [3-3] Palmerston Park, Dumfries (3,000)	Murray (2), McKinnon, Robertson Thomas, Wratten, Morris, Watt OG	AD
	England: A.Marriott, S.Didlick, J.Hall, P.Masters, R.Morris, J.Donnelly, R.Thomasᶜ, P.Wratten, M.Blake, S.Murray, L.Cormack. (used: C.Small). (unused: D.Kiely, D.Duffy, M.Jenkins, M.Parrott).
	The Victory Shield had resumed in the previous month, with Wales and Northern Ireland drawing, 1-1 at Eugene Cross Park, Ebbw Vale, but it was to be Wales' only fixture of the season, owing to sanctions imposed by the teachers' union as part of the ongoing dispute. In the year of the Welsh Schools' Football Association's 75th anniversary, they had had to scrap plans for matches against the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland, as well as their remaining Victory Shield matches. It would be the first peacetime season since 1907 that they would not face England, as they were unable to agree a date due to England's heavy schedule. Scotland, meanwhile, won in France for the first time, by 3-2 in Albertville, and beat Switzerland by the same score, in Châtel-Saint-Denis, two days later, before making their first trip to Northern Ireland since 1970, winning 4-0 at Inver Park, Larne. It was Northern Ireland's first Victory Shield home match of the 1980s, and they were the only team to complete all three fixtures. Despite this, it was the usual big two teams that fought for the title in an epic duel on a mudbath of a pitch. Rod Thomas was possibly made captain to honour his record 17th ESFA start, and it took him just six minutes to break the scoring record with the opening goal, his 13th for his country. Shaun Murray was also making his 17th appearance, though two of them had been as a substitute. England were three goals up after 13 minutes, but the Scots fought back strongly to maintain their unbeaten record for the season, and twice drew level, as the shield was fittingly shared between them for the fifth time in nine years. The ESFA credited Stephen Didlick with England's fourth goal, but the Dumfries and Galloway Standard stated that Scotland goalkeeper, Michael Watt had punched the ball into his own net when attempting to clear Didlick's corner.
Smiths Crisps International Shield
342	31 May 1986 - England 2 Italy 1 [0-0] Wembley Stadium, London (40,000)	Blake, Thomas Cappellini	HW
	England: A.Marriott, S.Didlick (M.Jenkins), J.Hall, P.Masters, D.Duffy, J.Donnelly, R.Thomas, C.Small, M.Blake, S.Murrayᶜ, L.Cormack.
	Following the Heysel stadium tragedy at the previous year's European Cup Final in Brussels, the new chairman of the English Schools' FA, Peter Hill wanted to help to heal the wounds by inviting Italy to play England for the first time at under-15 level. Three days earlier, Italy had met Scotland for the first time and lost 3-1 at Hampden Park, Glasgow. England signed off their busiest-ever season, with their total number of fixtures in double figures for the first time, yet it was all finished before June, on the day that the World Cup started in Mexico. Rod Thomas's record 14th England goal in his joint-record 18th ESFA international (with captain, Shaun Murray) clinched a hat-trick of wins in the Smiths Crisps International Shield. Thomas had appeared in a 19th under-15 international captaining the side in the Montaigu final, for the FA National School, and scored a further three goals in the four short tournament games leading up to the final. Eleven weeks after beating Italy, five of the team were back at Wembley to make their England under-16 debuts against France.

 

Season 1986-87
Class of 1987 (born after 31 July 1971 - 15 or under on 31 July 1987): Football League debuts: Alan Wright (Blackpool) 1988 (Division 3) aged 16 - PFA Team of the Year (1996, Aston Villa) Steve Walters (Crewe Alexandra) 1988 (Division 4) aged 16 - England Under-21 reserve (1992) Mike Ross (Portsmouth) 1989 (Division 2) after Simod Cup debut in 1988 Andy Awford (Portsmouth) 1989 (Division 2) aged 16 after Beazer Homes League Premier Division debut for Worcester City in 1987, aged 15, Barclays League XI (1992) Gerry Harrison (Watford) 1990 (Division 2) Jason Peake (Leicester City) 1990 (Division 2) Andy Cole (Arsenal) 1990 (Division 1) - Barclays League XI substitute (1992), England B international (1994), PFA Team of the Year (2000, Manchester United) Jason Kavanagh (Derby County) 1990 (Division 1) after Zenith Data Systems Cup debut, England Under-21 reserve (1992) Joey Murray (Wrexham) 1991 (Division 4) Scott Houghton (Ipswich Town) 1991 (Division 2) - PFA Division 3 Team of the Year (1998, Peterborough United) - fourth tier Justin Phillips (Derby County) 1991 (Division 1) Peter Caldwell (Leyton Orient) 1995 (Division 3 - fourth tier) Full internationals: Andy Cole (1995) Under-21 internationals: Andy Cole, Andy Awford and Alan Wright (1992), all aged 20 Under-19 internationals: Andy Cole, Jason Kavanagh and Jason Peake (1991), Andy Awford (1991) aged 18, and Alan Wright, Scott Houghton and Justin Phillips (1991) Under-18 internationals: Andy Cole, Michael Turner, Alan Wright and Scott Houghton (1988), all aged 17, Jason Kavanagh and Steve Walters (1988), both aged 16 and Andy Awford (1989) aged 17 Under-17 internationals: Andy Cole, Jason Kavanagh, Michael Turner and Chris Halstead (1988), all aged 16 Under-16 internationals: Scott Houghton, Jason Kavanagh, Michael Turner and Steve Walters (1987), all aged 15 and Andy Cole (1988)
Victory Shield
343	27 February 1987 - England 3 Northern Ireland 1 [3-1] Kenilworth Road, Luton (4,000)	Turner, Cole, Halstead Johnston (pen)	HW
	England: J.Winters (P.Caldwell), L.Crosby, A.Wright, A.Awford, J.Phillips, C.Halstead, G.Harrison, J.Peake, Andy Cole, J.Murray, M.Turnerᶜ. (used: M.Ross, S.Walters). (unused: J.Kavanagh, S.Houghton).
	Having decided against playing their away match in Northern Ireland for the eighth time in succession, England began their season against them for the twelfth year in succession, on a Friday night in Europe's first international match to be played on a synthetic surface. England were ahead within two minutes, and all of the goals were scored in the first 21 minutes. Six members of the England squad (Cole, Houghton, Kavanagh, Ross, Turner and Walters) were first-year students at the GM National School at Lilleshall, though only two of them started the game, and another two stayed on the substitutes' bench. Two weeks earlier, Northern Ireland had lost the Wilkinson Sword Trophy, 3-1 to the Republic of Ireland at Richmond Park, Dublin, despite scoring first.
Nabisco Group Food Service Cup
344	14 March 1987 - England 2 West Germany 0 [0-0] Wembley Stadium, London (25,674)	Cole (2)	HW
	England: J.Winters, J.Kavanagh, A.Wright, L.Crosby, J.Phillips, C.Halstead, Andy Cole, J.Murray (S.Houghton), M.Turnerᶜ, M.Ross, S.Walters. (unused: P.Caldwell, A.Awford, G.Harrison, J.Peake).
	England retained the trophy and ended a run of five games without a win against the Germans, thanks to two goals from a big star of the future, Andy Cole, destined to be a key part of Manchester United's treble-winning squad of 1999. On the day before the game, team manager, Ralph O'Donnell, who was due to step down at the end of the season, after five years in the role, handed in his resignation, because the selectors had named Joey Murray in the line-up whilst he was serving a 14-day suspension for an attempted headbutt on an opponent, seven days earlier, playing for Liverpool Schools.
Friendly matches
345	16 March 1987 - England 1 West Germany 0 [1-0] Anfield, Liverpool (12,500)	Houghton	HW
	England: J.Winters, J.Kavanagh, A.Wright, L.Crosby, J.Phillips, C.Halstead, Andy Cole, S.Houghton, M.Turnerᶜ, M.Ross, S.Walters. (used: G.Harrison, J.Murray, replaced Turner). (unused: P.Caldwell, A.Awford, J.Peake).
	A goal in the 29th minute, two days after Wembley, was enough to give England their first 'double' victory against the Germans since 1972.
346	30 March 1987 - England 0 France 1 [0-1] Bramall Lane, Sheffield (tbc)	Pedros	HL
	England: J.Winters, L.Crosby, A.Wrightᶜ, A.Awford, J.Phillips, C.Halstead, Andy Cole, J.Peake, M.Ross, S.Walters, S.McVey. (used: G.Durrant, W.Seymour).
	Ralph O'Donnell's assistant, Dave Bushell succeeded him as team manager in another Monday-night fixture, but England fell behind to a goalkeeping error in the first minute, and the French team set about doggedly defending their lead to secure their first win in England. Captain, Michael Turner missed the game due to a virus. Substitute, Billy Seymour was the seventh FA National School student to play for the schoolboys' under-15s in 1987. France also secured a single-goal victory against the Republic of Ireland, at Bray in June, two days after beating Northern Ireland in their first meeting, 2-1 at Lurgan, as part of the Dale Farm Ulster Games festival.
347	8 April 1987 - England 1 Switzerland 1 [1-0] City Ground, Nottingham (11,833)	Crosby Brasier	HD
	England: J.Winters, J.Kavanagh, A.Wright, L.Crosby, J.Phillips, C.Halstead, Andy Cole, J.Murray, M.Ross, S.Walters, M.Turnerᶜ. (unused: P.Caldwell, A.Awford, W.Seymour, S.McVey).
	This match was postponed from a Tuesday night, to the following night, because of a waterlogged pitch. The Swiss equaliser enabled them to avoid defeat against England for the first time in ten meetings. Scott Houghton missed the game through injury. Switzerland ended their tour by losing, 3-0 to Scotland at Victoria Park, Dingwall, three days later, in the Highlands, and drawing 1-1 with Northern Ireland at Derry, three days after that. Then, at the end of May, the Swiss entertained Wales for two matches, beating them, 1-0 in Schattdorf and drawing, 1-1, two days later, in Littau.
348	25 April 1987 - Netherlands 1 England 2 [1-1] Stadion Esserberg, Haren (tbc)	Murray, Cole	AW
	England: P.Caldwell, J.Kavanagh, A.Wrightᶜ, L.Crosby, J.Phillips, C.Halstead, Andy Cole, J.Murray, M.Turner, S.Houghton, S.Walters. (used: A.Awford). (unused: J.Winters, W.Seymour, M.Ross).
	England embarked on a short trip to the Low Countries and had to come from behind to defeat the Netherlands, where Joey Murray showed his undoubted talent by scoring his first international goal. Steve McVey missed the trip through illness. Northern Ireland had visited the Netherlands for the first time, three weeks earlier, and lost by a single goal in Sliedrecht.
349	29 April 1987 - Belgium 1 England 1 [0-0] Sportpark De Leukens, Overpelt (tbc)	Murray	AD
	England: P.Caldwell, J.Kavanagh, A.Wrightᶜ, L.Crosby, J.Phillips, W.Seymour, Andy Cole, J.Murray, S.Houghton, A.Awford, S.Walters. (used: M.Ross, M.Turner). (unused: J.Winters, C.Halstead).
	England, in an all-red kit, made a first visit to Belgium and took the lead with a brilliant individual effort from Murray, before the home side, winners at Montaigu, nine days earlier, equalised, with five minutes left to play.
350	5 May 1987 - Italy 0 England 2 [0-0] Stadio Francesco Baracca, Venezia (tbc)	Murray, McVey	AW
	England: J.Winters, J.Kavanagh, A.Wrightᶜ, L.Crosby, J.Phillips, C.Halstead, A.Awford, S.Houghton, J.Murray, S.Walters, S.McVey. (used: Andy Cole, M.Turner).
	Six days later, England appeared in Italy for the first time, and got the better of their hosts in the second half. Three days later, Italy beat Scotland for the first time, 2-1 in Mogliano Veneto.
Victory Shield
351	11 May 1987 - Wales 1 England 2 [0-0] Ninian Park, Cardiff (tbc)	Costa Murray, Walters	AW
	England: J.Winters, J.Kavanagh, A.Wrightᶜ, L.Crosby, J.Phillips, C.Halstead, A.Awford, S.Houghton, J.Murray, S.Walters, S.McVey. (used: W.Seymour).
	After losing all but one game in the previous season, Wales returned and lost by a single goal to the Republic of Ireland at Glenmalure Park, Dublin, two months earlier. It was their first defeat to Ireland since 1977 (apart from in short games at Montaigu). They had since lost their two Victory Shield games; 6-1 to Scotland at Muirton Park, Perth, and 3-2 at Castlereagh Park, Newtownards, after leading at half-time, on their first visit to Northern Ireland since 1979. Wales did, however, pick up some reward from a recent tournament in Luxembourg, where they drew their semi-final, 2-2 in a first meeting with Finland, before losing on penalties, but then beat the hosts, 3-0 to finish third. In a Monday-afternoon fixture, England were unchanged for the first time in that season, and they were in no mood to offer Wales any points, only conceding, again when only there were only five minutes remaining, to a late free-kick goal that was mis-handled by Winters. Three days later, Northern Ireland held Scotland to a 1-1 draw at Boghead Park, Dumbarton, leaving the Scots needing to beat England at Wembley to lift the shield. Wales ended their season with a loss and a draw, in Switzerland.

352	30 May 1987 - England 1 Scotland 1 [1-0] Wembley Stadium, London (45,549)	Murray McGreish	HD
	England: J.Winters, J.Kavanagh, A.Wrightᶜ, W.Seymour, J.Phillips, C.Halstead, A.Awford, S.Houghton, J.Murray, S.Walters, S.McVey (Andy Cole). (unused: P.Caldwell, M.Turner, M.Ross).
	The Smiths Crisps International Shield was also at stake for the winners, on the occasion of Wembley's first Victory Shield match. Scotland had beaten Israel, 4-1 in their last match at Montaigu in the previous month, and then beat the Republic of Ireland at home for the first time, by 2-1 at Bayview Park, Methil. They had lost in Italy, a week later, but because they had dropped a point at home to Northern Ireland, they needed to win at Wembley to win the Victory Shield outright for the first time since 1982. Joey Murray signed off by scoring in his fifth consecutive international, and Andy Cole had been consigned to the substitutes' bench. England sat back a little after going ahead, but the title was theirs for a fifth successive year, though they had to share the Smiths Crisps International Shield for the first time. Lee Crosby withdrew with an ankle injury on the day before the game. Five of the squad were back at Wembley, just over two months later, to play in an under-16 international against Denmark. Goalkeeper, Jason Winters joined Norwich City, and never made a first-team appearance, yet still managed to be named as a reserve for England's under-21 team in 1992.

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