The vast majority of the players that took England to the semi-finals are still playing football well into their thirties, in the case of Teddy Sheringham and Les Ferdinand nearly into their forties. Clashes between Euro 96 team-mates like this Sunday's match-up at Highbury between Sol Campbell and Alan Shearer are common.

No fewer than 10 of the 22-strong squad are still in the Premiership with four more influential figures in the Championship and Nicky Barmby leading Hull City's promotion charge in League One.

Bryan Robson, who was one of England's coaches during that summer, coach during that time, says: "Improved diet and physical conditioning have helped the modern player to play longer of course but the Euro 96 group also seemed to have a particular love of the game and desire to continue at the top."

Ted Buxton, Venables' sidekick during that summer, believes we will see plenty of those players in the years to come.

"Terry and I used to say that a lot of that group would go on to make good managers and nothing has changed our minds since. Gareth Southgate, Gary Neville and Paul Ince care about the game and would do a good job. And Stuart Pearce, who has retired, will make a great manager one day."

The Euro 96 survivors

DARREN ANDERTON

Age

 32

Club

 Birmingham City

Left Spurs after 12 years in the summer but his form has been so good for Birmingham, they have just given him an extended contract to 2006.







NICK BARMBY

Age

 30

Club

 Hull City

Fulfilled a lifetime ambition in the summer by signing for hometown club Hull and has scored six goals to help their promotion push







SOL CAMPBELL

Age

 30

Club

 Arsenal

Like Anderton and Barmby, was a Spurs player during Euro 96 but has moved on, in his case across north London where he helped Arsenal win the Double in his first season







LES FERDINAND

Age

 38

Club

 Reading

There were no shortage of offers for Sir Les when he left Bolton this month and he appropriately opted for The Royals







ROBBIE FOWLER

Age

 29

Club

 Manchester City

Fowler has responded well to extra fitness work at Manchester City and has scored six goals this season







PAUL INCE

Age

 37

Club

 Wolves

The Guv'nor is still seen by Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle as his most essential player if Wolves are to make a late charge towards the play-offs






STEVE McMANAMAN

Age

 32

Club

 Manchester City

Recently recovered from injury and his return has coincided with an upturn in City's Premiership form with wins against Southampton and Crystal Palace this month




GARY NEVILLE

Age

 29

Club

 Manchester United

He and brother Phil are the only players who have remained with the same club since Euro 96, famously helping Manchester United win the treble in 1999






PHIL NEVILLE

Age

 27

Club

 Manchester United

The baby of the Euro 96 squad, he was still a teenager when Venables selected him. Has gone on to play in two more European Championships, in 2000 and 2004





JAMIE REDKNAPP

Age

 31

Club

 Southampton

Destined to become one of the stars of Euro 96 until getting injured against Scotland. Hs recently moved to Southampton where dad Harry is manager





ALAN SHEARER

Age

 34

Club

 Newcastle United

Went to Newcastle for a world-record £15million soon after becoming the top scorer at Euro 96. Plans to retire this summer although manager Graeme Souness wants a u-turn





TEDDY SHERINGHAM

Age

 38

Club

 West Ham

Turned down the chance to go abroad for another season in England. Still a vital influence on West Ham's side and has scored 11 goals this season






GARETH SOUTHGATE

Age

 34

Club

 Middlesbrough

Made history last season by becoming the first Boro captain in history to lift a major trophy. Bounced back well from missing the vital penalty in the Euro 96 semi-final against Germany





STEVE STONE

Age

 33

Club

 Portsmouth

The heartbeat of the Portsmouth side whose energy and enthusiasm have been a vital part in them establishing themselves in the Premiership





IAN WALKER

Age

 33

Club

 Leicester City

Returned after a five month injury absence by keeping a clean sheet in Leicester's FA Cup win at Blackpool on Tuesday






Lest we forget....Euro 96 heroes Tony Adams, Tim Flowers, Paul Gascoigne, Steve Howey, Stuart Pearce, David Platt and David Seaman no longer play.