Boro's pride of Lions
Dave Allan
Friday, 24 February, 2012
Middlesbrough have 19 current players who have played for various England teams.
Jason Steele and Joe Bennett are two Middlesbrough players who named in England's Under-21s squad for next week's Euro 2013 Qualifier against Belgium at the Riverside.
But the pair are just two of an amazing 19 current Boro players who have progressed through the club’s Academy to represent England at various levels. Here’s the other 17...
David Atkinson (18)
Shildon-born defender who has represented England up to U17 level despite a series of injuries that have curtailed his Boro progress.
Matthew Bates (25)
The current Riverside captain won England U18 caps when he was part of the Boro squad that won the 2004 FA Youth Cup.
Luke Coddington (16)
Goalkeeper who won the latest of three international caps at U17 level against France as England won Algarve Tournament earlier this month.
Bradley Fewster (15)
Made his England U16 debut alongside Boro team-mate Morris in an excellent win in Spain in mid-February.
Jonathan Franks (21)
The winger starred in the U17 World Cup in South Korea and went on to win U19 caps too.
Jake Fowler (18)
Forward who was part of the England U17 side that won Nordic Cup in 2009 and was on standby for the U19s v Czech Republic last night.
Ben Gibson (19)
In 2010, the defender joined Boro team-mates Pilatos and Williams as part of the first England men’s squad to win a major tournament for 17 years via the European U17 championship.
Seb Hines (23)
Defender Hines captained England at U16 level and won further caps up to U18 level.
Adam Jackson (17)
Defender has represented his country more than 20 times between U16 and 18 levels, helping England win the 2010 Victory Shield. In U18 squad to play Poland in Crewe next Wednesday.
Tony McMahon (25)
Right-back won England U19 caps and captained Boro’s Academy side to victory in the 2004 FA Youth Cup.
Bryn Morris (15)
Defender or midfielder who captained the England U16 side to victory over Spain in Madrid just two weeks ago.
Cameron Park (19)
Following Stewart Downing and Adam Johnson, Park is the latest talented left wing product of Boro’s Academy. Has represented England at U19 level.
Bruno Pilatos (18)
Angola-born defender who has played for his country up to U19 level, having won Nordic Cup in 2009 and Algarve Cup in 2010.
Adam Reach (19)
Talented wide man who has won four caps for England at U19 level and was on standby v Czech Republic last night. Scored on his Boro debut on the final day of last season.
Connor Ripley (19)
The son of former Boro, Blackburn and England winger Stuart, Ripley was hoping to add to his three England U19 caps in last night’s game v Czech Republic.
Richard Smallwood (21)
Midfielder made his England U18 debut against Austria at Hartepool’s Victoria Park in 2008 and has been on standby for Under-19 squads.
Luke Williams (18)
Having attended St Peter’s in South Bank – the former school of Boro and England legend Wilf Mannion – Williams became Boro’s youngest player for 104 years, also helping his country win the European U17 Championship for the first time in 2010. Was in U19 squad v Czech Republic last night.
Curtis Edwards was an unused sub for the England U16 side v Wales in 2009 but has not yet been capped.
In 2006, Boro's England players from all the age groups came together for a special photo opportunity...
Back (from left): Matthew Bates, Jason Steele, Ross Turnbull, David Knight, David Wheater; Middle (from left): James Morrison, Tony McMahon, Stewart Downing, Stuart Parnaby, Danny Graham, Andrew Davies; Front (from left): Jonathan Franks, Andrew Taylor, Adam Johnson, Gary Liddle, Lee Cattermole, Nathan Porritt. Missing from photo: Josh Walker
Tickets for England's meeting with Belgium on Wednesday 29 February 2012 (6pm ko) are still on sale priced at £10 for adults or £5 for concessions.
Call 0844 499 1234, buy online at www.mfc.co.uk or in person at the Riverside ticket office.