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Top 10 Facts about the England National Soccer team

With the Euros quickly approaching, every country is putting together their best squads. Lining up the top 11 players, creating a formation, choosing the best strikers, selecting your #1 goalkeeper, and figuring out your playing style are all on a coach’s mind before a big tournament. 

One of the biggest teams that are poised to win it all is England. Let’s see some of the most interesting facts you may not know about this country’s men’s and women’s national teams. 

Blue for the Brits

England shirt for the 1966 World cup final – By By H4stings – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31394649

Many die-hard fans of England’s national team were not too thrilled when Nike introduced the latest football kit for the country, including blue shoulders and arms. English citizens consider red to be the primary color of the country, since it is touted proudly on the flag, whereas blue is a secondary color solely for aesthetic value. 

However, when looking at kits of the past, the secondary color for England’s national team was navy blue as far back as 1872.

Came from humble beginnings

Williams fizzes a low penalty beyond Nadine Angerer – By By IQRemix from Canada – FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 – Edmonton, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41394345

Not every footballer is born into a wealthy family and given all the resources needed to excel from a young age. One of England’s most well-respected and famous stars was homeless during her rise to prominence.

Fara Williams, an English footballer who just announced her retirement a few weeks ago while playing for Reading FC, made 150 appearances for her country. However, during the early part of her footballing journey, she was homeless – but still managed to play at the highest level in the world.

Young and old come together

Walcott at Arsenal’s 2014-2015 FA Cup Winner’s parade – By By Anish Morarji from St Albans, England – Arsenal FA Cup Winners Parade, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40717417

The youngest player to ever put on an England jersey was Theo Walcott at just 17 years and 75 days old in 2006. The oldest player to play for England was Stanley Matthews, a stalwart in the English team who last put on his country’s kit aged 42 years and 103 days back in 1957.

Timing is key

Sir Stanley Matthews vs. Port Vale – By By Antoleepalmer – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50781458

Many players will agree that your time with your country’s national team is never guaranteed. You might step on the pitch for a few appearances, or you might become your country’s national hero over the course of several years.

The latter is the case for Stanley Matthews, the same man who was the oldest player to play for England. He also holds the record for the longest cumulative career, coming in at 22 years and 228 days. However, the same fortune can’t be said for Martin Kelly, who holds the record for the shortest English career at just 2 minutes.  

Which Prem team is the ‘best’?

The England line-up before the last match of Group G – By By Кирилл Венедиктов – https://www.soccer.ru/galery/1055768/photo/734068, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70770321

Surprisingly to many avid football fans, Tottenham holds the record for the most players to put on an England football kit. 76 players have made appearances for their country, while Corinthians FC (now an amateur team) is in second place with 75 players on the England roster at some point. 

Even though Spurs have the most players, Manchester United holds the record for the total appearances between their players, amassing a respectable 1,242 appearances – thanks to the likes of Wayne Rooney.

Scoring goals is a must 

Rooney taking on the Italian defense at UEFA Euro – By By Football.ua, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20029519

Speaking of Rooney, he is the country’s leading scorer with 53 international goals. Howver, when talking about scoring ratio with goals per game, George Camsell has the best stats, coming in with an impressive 2 goals per game. 

Karen Carney was a staple in England’s team

Carney playing for England in February 2019 – By By Jamie Smed – https://www.flickr.com/photos/highwaytodistraction/32701388337/in/dateposted/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78189514

Karen Carney, before she announced her retirement, was a staple in the Lionesses squad. Playing 32 games at major tournaments since her debut, she has officially played in more major tournaments than any English player on the men’s or women’s side.  

Georgia Stanway is a young talent

Stanway playing for Manchester City during the 2017-18 Champions League – By By Granada – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63234755

Currently on the Manchester City women’s squad, Stanway broke into the England squad at a young age – and surely left her mark. Georgia Stanway was the youngest member of the Lionesses squad during the last Women’s World Cup at just 20 years old, after she earned the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year for the 2018/2019 season. 

Steph Houghton first started as a striker

Houghton captaining England against Montenegro in April 2014 – By By James Boyes from the UK – England Ladies v Montenegro 5 4 2014 153, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33459226

Houghton, the England rock at center back, was once a striker. She began her career at Sunderland in her hometown before moving to Leeds in 2007 and Arsenal in 2010. She made her way into the Sunderland first team as a #9 before slowly moving to midfield, outside back, and then finding her top position as a trustworthy center back. 

Jill Scott is the most-capped player currently on the squad

Jill Scott England – By By James Boyes – Flickr: England Ladies v Montenegro 5 4 2014 840, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32102427

When looking at England’s current squad, there is a mix of new players and staples on the team. With newbies like Chloe Kelly having 7 appearances and Ella Toone having just 2 appearances under her belt, experience on the field is key.

Jill Scott gives the team experience with 151 appearances for her country since her first call up in 2006.