Home comforts for U17s

The next generation of England stars get their U17 international season underway on home turf in August with a friendly tournament against Northern Ireland, Turkey and Italy.

The England youngsters will use the games as a warm up for their European Championship qualifying campaign later in the year and coach Noel Blake will be hoping to get the new campaign off to a perfect start when they face Northern Ireland at Brentford’s Griffin Park on 29 August (KO 7.45pm).

England U17s, who are no strangers to big game atmosphere having beaten Spain as U16s at Wembley Stadium last season, then meet Turkey at Wycombe Wanderers on 31 August (7.45pm) before the tournament concludes against Italy at Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road on 2 September (3pm).

It’s going to be a busy summer for the England youth squads with the youngsters also competing at the Nordic Tournament in Denmark at the end of July while last season’s U17 squad travel to South Korea in August for the World Cup.

Blake is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

"We’ll have the squad together for three or four days before the Northern Ireland game and it will be good to see everyone back in action while giving us a chance to plan our approach for the tournament," said the former Birmingham City defender.

Blake realises that the friendly tournament will provide another fierce test for the U17 squad. "All three sides are going to be tough opponents and it’s going to be a good learning experience for everyone involved.

"It was massive for us to play at Wembley against Spain last April and the boys handled it brilliantly. Everyone wants a piece of that now so there’s lots of competition for places from within the squad and from players that are on the fringes of receiving a call up as well."

Blake, who managed Exeter City in the Football League and Stoke City at youth level, is hoping that fans of Brentford, Wycombe, Luton and England will all turn out in force to support the U17s.

"It’s a great opportunity for fans to see players who have the potential to achieve big things in the game. The lads are just starting out as professionals so they’re still learning and developing as footballers but it’s our goal to do well in the tournament and play entertaining football at the same time."

Ticket Details

You can purchase your England U17 friendly tournament tickets from 23 July by calling the following numbers:

England v Northern Ireland
Brentford FC – 0845 3456 442 (Option 4)
Click here for a charter standard booking form
Click here for a group booking form

England v Turkey
Wycombe Wanderers FC  – 01494 441 118
Click here for a charter standard booking form
Click here for a group booking form

England v Italy
Luton Town FC - 0870 017 0656
Click here for a charter standard booking form
Click here for a group booking form

Tickets for all games are £3 for adults in advance, £5 on the day and £1 for concessions.

Group discounts are available for groups of 15 or more at 50p per ticket while FA Charter Standard clubs and schools can claim up to 50 FREE tickets.