My greatest ever England XI

Tuesday, 02 September, 2003

1966 World Cup squad member Jimmy Armfield nominates his team as

Jimmy Armfield: 1966 World Cup squad member Jimmy Armfield nominates his team as TheFA.com continues to search for the ultimate all-time England line-up.

Jimmy Armfield narrowly failed to claim a place in the 1958 World Cup after being named in the original provisional 40-man squad.

But he did make the squad for Chile in 1962 and was part of Sir Alf Ramsey's 22 that won the World Cup.

As a manager, Jimmy took Leeds to the European Cup Final and still works as a match summariser on Radio5.

His England XI has an attacking flavour to it - with Bryan Robson and Duncan Edwards providing insurance in midfield.

"Duncan was a terrific player. I believe England would have won the World Cup in 1958 if the Munich Air Crash hadn't robbed us of Duncan, Tommy Taylor, and Roger Byrne," says Armfield.

Terry Butcher is included at the heart of Armfield's defence. "He was a real leader for England and that is so important for a team.

"You always need a powerful centre-half who can get the ball away. And Terry was good for team spirit as well."

JIMMY ARMFIELD'S ULTIMATE ENGLAND XI

Goalkeeper - Gordon Banks (1963-72) 73 caps, 0 goals
His save against Pele in the 1970 World Cup is the most famous in history. Banks won the World Cup and might have reached a hundred caps had it not been for a car crash which saw him lose sight in one eye

Defender - Roger Byrne (1954-57) 33 caps, 0 goals
Skipper of the legendary Busby Babes, Byrne died in the 1958 Munich Air Crash. Dubbed Captain Courageous, Byrne had just led Manchester United to two league championships and was the prototype for Bryan Robson and Roy Keane

Defender - Terry Butcher (1980-90) 77 caps, 3 goals
A huge influence in three successive World Cup campaigns, Butcher's commitment to the cause was such he literally shed blood on occasions for his country. A huge influence in the dressing-room, Butcher was also an attacking danger at set-pieces.

Defender - Bobby Moore (1962-73) 108 caps, 2 goals
The only England captain to have lifted the World Cup, Moore was known for his immaculate timing and reading of the game. Held in great respect by all professionals, the picture of him hugging Pele after Brazil beat England in 1970 became a byword for sportsmanship. Tragically died of cancer in 1993 at the age of 51.

Defender - Cornelius (Neil) Franklin (1947-50) 27 caps, 0 goals
A fascinating figure, Centre-half Franklin won 27 consecutive caps for England before becoming one of our first football exports, joining Santa Fe in Colombia for higher wages. FIFA banned him as a result and he missed the 1950 World Cup

Midfield - Duncan Edwards (1955-57) 18 caps, 5 goals
Many shrewd judges believed Edwards was destined to be England's greatest ever player when he was tragically killed in Munich at the age of 21. He combined power with skill and had an eye for goal. The greatest of Manchester United's Busby Babes

Midfield - Bryan Robson (1980-91) 90 caps, 26 goals
Almost reached a hundred caps despite being injured at key times during his career. Bobby Robson believes England would have won the 1986 World Cup if his skipper hadn't injured a shoulder in the group stages. Captain Marvel led his country 65 times

Winger - Stanley Matthews (1934-57) 54 caps, 11 goals
The Wizard of the Dribble was world-famous in his day as David Beckham is today. He turned full-backs inside-out over five decades and his tally of caps would have been much higher but for the Second World War. Football's first knight

Winger - Tom Finney (1947-59) 76 caps, 30 goals
Stanley Matthews thought Finney was even better than he was. The Preston Plumber had a better goalscoring record than his famous colleague and was voted Footballer of the Year in 1954 and 1957. Still involved with his beloved Preston North End

Striker - Jimmy Greaves (1959-67) 57 caps, 44 goals
The controversy still rages over whether Jimmy Greaves should have played in the 1966 World Cup Final - even though England won without him. Greaves scored more than 300 goals in the top-flight and led the England attack for four years until July '66

Striker - Alan Shearer (1992-2000) 63 caps, 30 goals
Top scorer in Euro 96, Shearer a target-man who also boasted a prolific scoring record. Possessed the hardest shot of his generation and scored against Argentina in the epic World Cup clash in 1998. Retired from international football after Euro 2000.

TOTAL VOTES SO FAR (after 3 nominations)

3 votes - Bobby Charlton, Stanley Matthews, Bryan Robson, Bobby Moore

2 -Gordon Banks, Tom Finney, Jimmy Greaves, Alan Shearer

1 - Jimmy Armfield, Terry Butcher, Roger Byrne, George Cohen, Duncan Edwards, Neil Franklin, Paul Gascoigne, Johnny Haynes, Gary Lineker, Kenny Sansom, Peter Shilton, Des Walker, Ray Wilson, Billy Wright

Jimmy was talking to Joe Bernstein

My greatest ever England XI

1966 World Cup squad member Jimmy Armfield nominates his team as

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