England v Czech Republic
Wednesday 20 August 2008
Wembley Stadium
Kick-off 8pm
Click here for ticket details
There is an intriguing history of fixtures between England and what is now the Czech Republic, our visitors for a Wembley friendly on 20 August.
We've only played the Czech Republic once before in 1998, but there have been 12 matches against the former Czechoslovakia and one in the mists of time against Bohemia.
Bohemia was a kingdom within the old Austro-Hungarian empire when England met them in Prague on 13 June 1908. It was the fourth and final match of England's first-ever foreign tour.
Austria were beaten 6-1 and 11-1, and Hungary 7-0, before England and Bohemia lined up before around 4,000 fans in the Slavia Stadium.
Bohemia were managed by a Scotsman, John Madden, and all their players were members of the Slavia club in Prague. Technically it has been England's only official international against a club side.
George Hilsdon gave England a 24th-minute lead, which he doubled early in the second half after the referee (John Lewis from Blackburn!) awarded a penalty. Jimmy Windridge, also of Chelsea, and Newcastle's Jock Rutherford scored the other goals in England's 4-0 victory.
It was our only match with Bohemia. It is no longer a country and what used to be "Bohemia" is now the Czech Republic.
The general public ticket sale for the Czech Republic friendly begins on 8 July at 10am.
Tickets are priced at £60, £50, £40 and £30, with 60% of tickets available at the two lower price bands. Click here for further information.