John Peacock's pride as England wins Euro 2018 Finals bid

Wednesday 28 Jan 2015
John Peacock is an experienced campaigner in the Euro U17s Championship
John Peacock believes England will host a fantastic edition of the UEFA European U17 Championship Finals in 2018.

The Young Lions head coach has more experience of the tournament than most having won the U17s title twice, in 2010 and 2014.

He’s also taken England’s youngsters to the Final in 2007, the semi-final in 2011 and the last eight in 2009, as well as enjoying U17s World Cups in South Korea in 2007 and Mexico in 2011.

England U17s head coach John Peacock with captain Ryan Ledson

Peacock and last season's captain Ryan Ledson with the Euro U17s trophy

So when it was announced on Monday that UEFA has awarded the 2018 Finals to England, with the tournament being based around St. George’s Park and the Midlands, Peacock was understandably delighted.

"I think we can expect a fantastic tournament and we’re very proud that they’re bringing this event here in a few years time," said Peacock, who is also The FA’s Head of Coaching.

"I think any of the teams coming here in three years will relish the chance to perform and train at this fantastic venue.

"When you drive into the place, you see nothing but manicured pitches. Everything is here, it’s a top-class facility and when you’re staging an event like the European Championship, that’s what the competing nations want."

A number of established players have progressed under Peacock’s guidance over the years, with a number going on to feature for the England senior team.

And current Three Lions skipper Wayne Rooney was named as UEFA’s Golden Player when he featured in the Finals of 2002 in Denmark.

"I think it’s an immense milestone for them," added Peacock, when asked what the tournament means to players when they get their first experience of a major tournament. 

"If you think of Wayne, there are lots of others who have come through too, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling, they have all come through an U17s European Finals themselves.

Rooney scored five in the 2002 tournament (Pic: UEFA)

A 16-year-old Rooney featured in the Euro Finals of 2002

"They look back on it with pride as it starts them on the England pathway and hopefully we’ll see more stars in the England team of 2018 and 2022 too."

Before then, Peacock’s immediate aim is the current Euro campaign as England look to retain their title following last year’s success in Malta.

The Young Lions head out to Portugal for the Algarve Tournament in February, before it’s back to the national football centre for the Elite Qualifying Round and a potential passage to this year’s Finals in Bulgaria.

"The preparations are going well and we’re going to Portugal in a couple of weeks for a big tournament, which will prepare us quite nicely for the Elite Round," explained Peacock.

"We’re back at St. George’s Park for that and will play Norway, Romania and Slovenia so it will be a tough tournament.

"Hopefully we can get some good attendances and people will come and watch these young players of the future.

"Hopefully we can emulate last year by winning it, but we know we’ve got a tough group to go through and hopefully we can get to Bulgaria in May.

The England U17s line-up to face FYR Macedonia in Euro qualifying.

Peacock is hoping this season's U17s squad can reach the Euro Finals in Bulgaria this May

"I think we’re all thirsting for that extra bit of success, with the U19s also preparing for their Elite Round and the Under-21s going away to Czech Republic in June.

"We have some good players, I think people underestimate us for that and the clubs should take a lot of credit. 

"It’s just getting over that final hurdle because we’ve reached many semi-finals and finals in the past.

"We’ve achieved a couple of successes and with a bit of luck, hopefully there will be more to come."

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels