WALES vs ENGLAND

The first step with England

by David Barber

Friday, 15 October, 2010

England’s U16 team is likely to include some future stars.

England’s U16s start this season’s Victory Shield campaign, a ‘British Championship’ for teams at that age level, with an away fixture in Wales this evening.

England have won all of the last nine Shield competitions, losing just one of the 27 matches played, and a number of players who featured for the U16s during that successful period have gone on to become stars in the game.

The first season in that winning sequence, 2001-02, produced three wins out of three for the Young Lions – 3-0 v Northern Ireland at Rushden & Diamonds,  3-1 v Wales at Wycombe Wanderers and 4-2 v Scotland at Ross County.

James Milner, Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone – who now have 36 caps between them at senior level – were involved in at least one of those matches. Manchester City midfielder Milner, who started both of England’s Euro 2012 qualifiers last month, substituted for Jonathan Forte against the Irish.

Newcastle centre-back Steven Taylor, who has 29 Under-21 caps, was also in the 2001 team.

England won all three Shield fixtures again in the following season, helped by Fabrice Muamba (now on 26 Under-21 caps) and ‘keeper Joe Lewis. In subsequent seasons the U16s have been able to call on youngsters like Theo Walcott, Lee Cattermole, Daniel Sturridge, James Tomkins, Danny Welbeck, Victor Moses, Jack Rodwell and Jack Wilshere.

In Kenny Swain's squad to face Wales are two players who gained international experience with either the U16s or U17s last season - Shay Facey and Jasper Johns.

The game takes place at Bridge Meadow Stadium, home of Haverfordwest County FC. It kicks off at 7.35pm and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Squad in full: