England last played a January match 24 years ago today.

Have England ever played a match in January? Yes, they have – but there hasn’t been an international in that month for 24 years and the last one at Wembley took place back in 1973.

There have been six January fixtures in history, England winning twice and drawing the other four.

Here are the details…

18 January 1879 – England 2-1 Wales at Kennington Oval, London (Attendance: 200)
It was so cold, with snow falling, that the captains agreed to play just two halves of 30 minutes each. A crowd estimated to be 200, certainly the lowest for an England match, saw Herbert Whitfeld and Thomas Sorby put the home side 2-0 up after 20 minutes. Neither played for England again.

5 January 1966 – England 1-1 Poland at Goodison Park (Attendance: 47,750)
Early evening rain had left the pitch saturated for this friendly. Poland took a surprise lead close to half-time, Sadek turning Banas’s cross past Gordon Banks. England forced an equaliser on 75 minutes when Bobby Moore headed in after a barnstorming run by George Cohen.

15 January 1969 – England 1-1 Romania at Wembley (Attendance: 77,000)
On another heavy pitch England were frustrated by an unambitious Romanian side that was determined to defend. On the half-hour Jack Charlton headed home from brother Bobby’s corner but Dumitrache levelled with a penalty, apparently given for handball against England’s scorer.

14 January 1970 – England 0-0 Holland at Wembley (Attendance: 75,000)
The artistic Dutchmen showed a lot of skill – with some fine touches by Van Dijk, Jansen and the great Johan Cruyff – but they, like England, suffered from a lack of finish. Ian Storey-Moore did glance a header past Van Beveren but the German referee ruled it out for offside.

24 January 1973 – England 1-1 Wales at Wembley (Attendance: 73,000)
England lacked imagination up front in this World Cup qualifier and a spirited Welsh side shocked them by taking a 23rd-minute lead through Toshack. The equaliser came four minutes before the break, Norman Hunter blasting a 25-yarder past Leeds club-mate Gary Sprake in Wales’ goal.

29 January 1986 – Egypt 0-4 England in Cairo (Attendance: 20,000)
England pushed forward from the start in the Nasser Stadium, Trevor Steven giving them an early lead. Egypt stormed back to test Peter Shilton with three good efforts but Omar (own goal) and Danny Wallace scored either side of half-time and Gordon Cowans added a fourth.