England national under-21 football team
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|||
| Nickname(s) | The Young Lions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | The Football Association | ||
| Head coach |  Stuart Pearce (2007-) |
||
| Most caps | James Milner (46) | ||
| Top scorer | Alan Shearer & Francis Jeffers (13) |
||
|
|||
| First international | |||
England U-21 0-0 Wales U-21  (Molineux, Wolverhampton; 15 December 1976) |
|||
| Biggest win | |||
England U-21 8-1 Finland U-21  (Boothferry Park, Hull; 12 October 1977) & England U-21 7-0 Azerbaijan U-21  (stadium:mk, Milton Keynes; 9 June 2009) |
|||
| Biggest defeat | |||
 Romania U-21 4-0 England U-21 (Ploieşti, Romania; 14 October 1980) & England U-21 0-4 Spain U-21  (St Andrews, Birmingham; 27 February 2001) &  Germany U-21 4-0 England U-21 (Malmö New Stadium, Malmö; 29 June 2009) |
|||
| UEFA U-21 Championship | |||
| Appearances | 10 (First in 1978) | ||
| Best result | Winners 1982, 1984 | ||
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21(s), is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team.
This team is for English players aged 21 or under at the start of a two-year European Under-21 Football Championship campaign, so players can be, and often are, up to 23 years old. Also in existence are teams for Under-20s (for non-UEFA tournaments), Under-19s and Under 17s. As long as they are eligible, players can play at any level, making it possible to play for the U21s, senior side and again for the U21s, as Aaron Lennon, Micah Richards and Theo Walcott have done recently. It is also possible to play for one country at youth level and another at senior level (providing the player is eligible). Nigel Quashie is a former (2004-2006) Scotland international and former England U21 player.
The U-21 team came into existence, following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions, in 1976. A goalless draw in a friendly against Wales at Wolves' Molineux Stadium was England U21s' first result.
England U21s do not have a permanent home. They play in stadia dotted all around England, in an attempt to encourage younger fans in all areas of the country to get behind England. Because of the smaller demand compared to the senior national team, smaller grounds can be used. The record attendance for an England U21 match was set on 24 March 2007, when England U21 played Italy U21 in front of a crowd of just under 60,000 at the brand new Wembley Stadium, also a world record attendance for a U21 game. [1] The match was one of the required two "ramp up" events the stadium hosted in order to gain its safety certificate in time for its full-capacity opening for the 2007 FA Cup Final in May.[2][3]
Contents |
[edit] Competition History
| Year | Progress |
|---|---|
| 1978 | Semi Final |
| 1980 | Semi Final |
| 1982 | Champions |
| 1984 | Champions |
| 1986 | Semi Final |
| 1988 | Semi Final |
| 1990 | Failed to qualify |
| 1992 | Failed to qualify |
| 1994 | Failed to qualify |
| 1996 | Failed to qualify |
| 1998 | Failed to qualify |
| 2000 | Group Stage |
| 2002 | Group Stage |
| 2004 | Failed to qualify |
| 2006 | Failed to qualify |
| 2007 | Semi Final |
| 2009 | Final |
As a European U21 team, England compete for the European Championship, with the finals every odd-numbered year, formerly even-numbered years. There is no Under-21 World Cup, although there is an Under-20 World Cup. For the first six (1978-1988) European Under-21 Football Championships, England did well, getting knocked out in the semi-finals on four occasions and winning the competition in 1982 and 1984. Then, as one might expect with a rapid turnover of players, followed a lean period.
After losing to France in the 1988 semi final, England then failed to qualify for the last eight for five whole campaigns. In the qualifying stages for the 1998 tournament, England won their group, but fate was not on their side. Because there were nine groups, and only eight places, the two group-winning nations with worst records had to play-off to eliminate one of them. England lost the away leg of this extra qualifying round and were eliminated on away goals to Greece. In effect, England finished ninth in the competition despite losing only one of their ten matches.
England qualified for the 2000 finals comfortably. Under the 1996-appointed Peter Taylor England won every match without conceding a goal. But with 3 matches to play, Taylor was replaced in a controversial manner by Howard Wilkinson, who won the next two matches. The three goals conceded in the 3-1 defeat to group runners-up Poland were the only blemish on the team's qualifying record. England got knocked out in the group stage of the European Championship finals in 2000 under Wilkinson.
After enlisting former international star David Platt as manager, England qualified for the 2002 tournament in Switzerland. Again England did poorly in the group stage. Platt's England failed to qualify for the 2004 tournament and he was replaced by the returning Peter Taylor. Taylor's England qualified from the group but lost to a strong France team in a two-legged playoff and failed to qualify for the 2006 tournament.
The next campaign started shortly after the 2006 finals - the qualification stage of the 2007 competition. UEFA decided to shift the tournament forward to avoid a clash with senior tournaments taking place in even-numbered years. The qualification stage was heavily reduced, being completed in a year's less time. In a 3-team qualification group, England qualified over Switzerland and Moldova, and then won a two-legged play-off with Germany to qualify for the finals to be held in the Netherlands. At the tournament, England progressed through to the semi-finals where they led for the majority of the match against the hosts. However, after a late equaliser and a marathon penalty shootout, England were eliminated.
In 2009, England finished as runners-up, losing 4-0 to Germany in the final.
Note: The year of the tournament represents the year in which it ends.
[edit] Coaching Staff
[edit] Head coach
| Tenure | Head Coach/Manager |
|---|---|
| 1977-1990 | Dave Sexton |
| 1990-1993 | Lawrie McMenemy |
| 1994-1996 | Dave Sexton |
| 1996-1999 | Peter Taylor |
| 1999 | Peter Reid |
| 1999-2001 | Howard Wilkinson |
| 2001-2004 | David Platt |
| 2004-2007 | Peter Taylor |
| 2007- | Stuart Pearce |
The original and most successful coach is Dave Sexton, who led the U21s from 1977 to 1990. In this period he combined his duties with managing the top-flight clubs Manchester United (1977-1981) and Coventry City (1981-1983). After Coventry he took a position within the FA as their first Technical Director, at Lilleshall. He handed over U21 responsibilities to England manager Graham Taylor's assistant Lawrie McMenemy for three years before resuming control from 1994 to 1996.
Peter Taylor took over in 1996, and although never winning the tournament, his teams had an excellent record. He was controversially removed from the position in early 1999 however, and replaced initially by Peter Reid, who resigned after just one match in charge to dedicate more time to his other job as manager of Sunderland. Howard Wilkinson took over afterwards, yet could only produce four wins in ten competitive matches and quit after a year and a half in charge. David Platt was in charge from 2001 to 2004, but had little success before Taylor's return. Taylor left in January 2007, as the senior national manager Steve McClaren wanted the U21s to have a full-time manager. Taylor, at the time was combining his duties with his role as Crystal Palace boss.
On 1 February 2007, Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce was appointed as head coach on a part-time basis until after the European Championships in the summer of 2007. Nigel Pearson, Newcastle United's assistant manager, agreed to become Pearce's assistant. Their first match in charge was a 2-2 draw against Spain on 6 February 2007 at Derby County's Pride Park Stadium.
For the match against Italy Nigel Pearson took charge as Stuart Pearce had club commitments. Steve Wigley assisted Pearson.
Pearce was dismissed as Manchester City manager on 14 May 2007, before the 2007 European Championships, but on 19 July 2007 he was named full-time U21s coach.[4] His contract was extended in the summer of 2009.
[edit] Other staff
| Assistant Coach | Steve Wigley |
| Coach | Brian Eastick |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Martin Thomas |
| Physiotherapists | Dave Galley |
| Mike Healy |
|
| Doctor | Dr. Mark Waller |
| Masseur | Paul Small |
| Exercise Scientist | Gary Phillips |
| Video Analyst | Steve O'Brien |
| Kit Manager | Mark Simkin |
[edit] Players
[edit] The most caps
Because of the age restriction, a player can't be in the team for very long and the most promising young players spend little time, if any, with the U-21s before winning senior caps. James Milner currently holds the record for the most England Under-21 caps.
| Rank | Player | Club(s) | U-21 Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Milner | Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa | 46 |
| 2 | Tom Huddlestone | Derby County, Tottenham Hotspur | 33 |
| =3 | Scott Carson | Leeds United, Liverpool | 29 |
| =3 | Steven Taylor | Newcastle United | 29 |
| =5 | Jamie Carragher | Liverpool | 27 |
| =5 | Gareth Barry | Aston Villa | 27 |
| 7 | David Prutton | Nottingham Forest, Southampton | 25 |
| 8 | Jermaine Pennant | Arsenal | 24 |
| =9 | Jermain Defoe | West Ham United | 23 |
| =9 | Nigel Reo-Coker | West Ham United, Aston Villa | 23 |
Note: Club(s) represents the permanent clubs during the player's time in the Under-21s. Those players in bold are still eligible to play for the team at the moment.
Statistics up to and including England vs Spain, 18 June 2009.
[edit] The most goals
| Rank | Player | Club(s) | U-21 Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| =1 | Alan Shearer | Southampton | 13 |
| =1 | Francis Jeffers | Everton, Arsenal | 13 |
| =3 | Frank Lampard | West Ham United | 9 |
| =3 | Darren Bent | Ipswich Town, Charlton Athletic | 9 |
| =3 | James Milner | Leeds United, Newcastle United, Aston Villa | 9 |
| =6 | Mark Hateley | Coventry City, Portsmouth | 8 |
| =6 | Carl Cort | Wimbledon | 8 |
| =8 | Mark Robins | Manchester United | 7 |
| =8 | Shola Ameobi | Newcastle United | 7 |
| =8 | Jermain Defoe | West Ham United | 7 |
Note: Club(s) represents the permanent clubs during the player's time in the Under-21s. Those players in bold are still eligible to play for the team at the moment.
Statistics up to and including England vs Spain, 18 June 2009.
[edit] Current squad
Players born in or after 1988 are eligible for the next UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.
The following players were named in the squad for the European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Portugal on 14 November and Lithuania on 17 November 2009.[5]
| Name | DOB | Club | Caps (goals) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||
| Scott Loach | 27 May 1988 | Watford |
9 (0) |
| Frank Fielding | 4 April 1988 | Blackburn Rovers |
2 (0) |
| Alex McCarthy | 3 December 1989 | Yeovil Town |
0 (0) |
| Defenders | |||
| Michael Mancienne | 8 January 1988 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
19 (1) |
| Kieran Gibbs | 26 September 1989 | Arsenal |
12 (3) |
| Micah Richards | 24 June 1988 | Manchester City |
11 (3) |
| James Tomkins | 23 September 1989 | West Ham United |
7 (0) |
| Kyle Naughton | 11 November 1988 | Tottenham Hotspur |
5 (0) |
| Ryan Bertrand | 5 August 1989 | Reading |
2 (0) |
| Chris Smalling | 22 November 1989 | Fulham |
1 (0) |
| Midfielders | |||
| Fabrice Muamba | 6 April 1988 | Bolton Wanderers |
22 (0) |
| Jack Rodwell | 11 March 1991 | Everton |
10 (2) |
| Danny Rose | 2 July 1990 | Peterborough United |
6 (0) |
| Tom Cleverley | 12 August 1989 | Watford |
3 (0) |
| Michael Johnson | 24 February 1988 | Manchester City |
2 (0) |
| Jack Cork | 25 June 1989 | Coventry City |
2 (0) |
| Fabian Delph | 21 November 1989 | Aston Villa |
2 (0) |
| Junior Stanislas | 26 November 1989 | West Ham United |
2 (0) |
| Forwards | |||
| Danny Welbeck | 26 November 1990 | Manchester United |
4 (0) |
| Daniel Sturridge | 1 September 1989 | Chelsea |
3 (1) |
| Andy Carroll | 6 January 1989 | Newcastle United |
2 (2) |
| Zavon Hines | 27 December 1988 | West Ham United |
1 (2) |
[edit] Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the England under-21 squad and remain eligible:
| Name | DOB | Club | Caps (goals) | Most recent call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | ||||
| Defenders | ||||
| Sam Hutchinson | 3 August 1989 | Chelsea |
0 (0) | v  Macedonia, 9 October 2009 |
| Miles Addison | 7 January 1989 | Derby County |
1 (0) | v Macedonia, 4 September 2009 |
| Joe Mattock | 15 May 1990 | West Bromwich Albion |
4 (0) | v  Poland, 25 March 2008 |
| Midfielders | ||||
| Lee Cattermole | 21 March 1988 | Sunderland |
15 (3) | v Macedonia, 9 October 2009 |
| Jack Wilshere | 1 January 1992 | Arsenal |
4 (0) | v Macedonia, 9 October 2009 |
| Mark Davies | 18 February 1988 | Bolton Wanderers |
0 (0) | v  Ecuador, 16 February 2009 |
| Adam Lallana | 10 May 1988 | Southampton |
1 (0) | v  Czech Republic, 18 November 2008 |
| Forwards | ||||
| Theo Walcott | 16 March 1989 | Arsenal |
21 (6) | v Macedonia, 9 October 2009 |
| James Vaughan | 4 July 1988 | Everton |
3 (0) | v Macedonia, 4 September 2009 |
| Freddie Sears | 27 November 1989 | Crystal Palace |
3 (1) | v Macedonia, 4 September 2009 |
Note: Names in italics denote players that have been capped for the Senior team
[edit] Results and fixtures 2009–2011
[edit] 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Qualification Group 9
[edit] Current table
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Greece |
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 10 |
| England |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 7 |
 Portugal |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 3 |
 Lithuania |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 1 |
| Macedonia |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 12 | −6 | 1 |
Key: Pts Points, Pld Matches played, W Won, D Drawn, L Lost, GF Goals for, GA Goals against, GD Goal Difference
[edit] Matches
| 4 September 2009 15:30 UTC+2 |
Macedonia |
1 – 2 | England |
Goce Delčev Stadium, Prilep, Republic of Macedonia Referee: Hubert Siejewicz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ibraimi  34' |
Report | Sears 68' Cattermole 82' (pen.) |
| 8 September 2009 19:00 UTC+3 |
Greece |
1 – 1 | England |
Asteras Tripolis Stadium, Tripoli, Greece Referee: Mauro Bergonzi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninis 41' |
Report | Sturridge 5' |
| 9 October 2009 20:45 CET |
England |
6 – 3 | Macedonia |
Ricoh Arena, Coventry, England Attendance: 20,047 Referee: Fredy Fautrel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibbs 22' Richards 30'Carroll 54', 87'Hines 67', 90' |
Report | Muarem 42' Ibraimi 53'Gibbs 58' (o.g.) |
| 13 November 2009 |
England |
v | Portugal |
Wembley Stadium, London, England Referee: TBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 November 2009 |
Lithuania |
v | England |
TBD, Lithuania Referee: TBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 March 2010 |
England |
v | Greece |
TBD, England Referee: TBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 September 2010 |
Portugal |
v | England |
TBD, Portugal Referee: TBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 September 2010 |
England |
v | Lithuania |
TBD, England Referee: TBD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
[edit] Friendlies
| 11 August 2009 19:30 BST |
Netherlands  |
0 – 0 | England |
Euroborg Stadion, Groningen, Netherlands Referee: Babak Rafati |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report |
[edit] See also
- European Under-21 Football Championship
- England's European Under-21 Football Championship Record
- England (Senior) team
- England Under-20 team
- England Under-19 team
- England Under-18 team
- England Under-17 team
- England Under-16 team
[edit] References
- ^ BBC News - Wembley opener attracts thousands
- ^ BBC News - Wembley game 'sold out' in hours
- ^ The Guardian - Early set-back on Wembley's big day
- ^ "Pearce named England U21 manager". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6906465.stm. Retrieved 17 July 2007.
- ^ "Pearce picks 22 for Wembley qualifier" (online). thefa.com. 2009-11-4. http://thefa.com/England/MensUnder-21Team/MatchCentre/2009/EnglandvPortugal/MatchPreviews/SquadNamed.aspx. Retrieved 2009-11-4.
[edit] External links
- Official FA England Under-21 website Contains listings of current England U-21 players.
- Uefa Under-21 website Contains full results archive
- The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation Contains full record of U-21 Championship hosts and additional statistics, such as the Group Winners table for the 1998 qualifiers.
