The captain made 23 appearances at this level and admits the agonising, Semi-Final penalty defeat in Heerenveen was one of the toughest moments of his career, but he can look back at the performance of the team with pride.

Leroy Lita had given England a half-time lead in front of a sea of orange packed inside the Abe Lenstra Stadion and they managed to hold on to until the closing moments of normal time. Then it came down to the epic penalty shoot out, which the home side edged 13-12 sending Stuart Pearce’s team out.

“I’m very happy with the tournament, it was a great experience. I’m just so proud and privileged to play with the great players we have coming through,” he told TheFA.com.

“It’s one of my hardest times of my career to lose in that manner, but at the same time it fills your heart with joy to see the hunger and desire my team mates showed through every game.

“It really is heart-warming, for all the hard work and effort we’ve put in and the courageous performance, especially against the Dutch.

“It was an inspiring atmosphere, it was backs to the wall, but that’s what we’re about and we’ve been able to learn a lot about ourselves this tournament. The character we showed against Holland was amazing, I’m just so proud of every single player in our squad,” he continued.

“The adversity we had to go through, it was literally us versus 26,000 people, and to show the character we did, after losing a man in extra time and playing with an injured warrior in Tayls for so long underlines the courage this side has.”

Reo-Coker was a 19-year-old when he made his Under-21s debut against Turkey in October 2003, while still a player with Wimbledon. A move to West Ham United followed three months later and was handed the captain’s armband at Upton Park towards the end of the 2004-05 season.

He first skippered the Under-21s in their 1-0 away win against Denmark in August 2005 and lead them out on 15 more occasions on the way to the 2007 UEFA Under-21 Championship in Holland.

After so many memorable experiences, he now hopes he can stake a claim for a place in Steve McClaren’s senior squad.

“I’ve learned a lot. Every game you play for England you’re constantly learning and educating yourself. And it can only help to put us in the window for the senior team,” he said.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, not just with the players, but with the staff behind the team. I’ve made a lot of good friends from the Under-21s and I feel so happy to have been a part of it, and even more proud to have been captain.

“I’ve had some great moments with England, and this qualification has thrown up some memorable games, but the Holland game on Wednesday will probably go down as my best ever game and my best memory.”

Reo-Coker added: “I’d love to push for a place now in the senior team, but I think there are a lot of good players vying for the midfield positions. It’s going to be hard for me to get in.

“But I feel I’m good enough, I’m confident in my ability and I’ll work hard and continue to do what I’m doing. If I get my chance I’m going to make sure I prove what I can do.”