England National Game XI
Encyclopedia
The England C National Football Team (previously known as the England National Game XI and the England Semi-Pro national team) is the football
team that represents England
at non-league level. Formed in 1979 as the England Non-League team, it features players who play for clubs outside of the Football League
. Many players who have been capped
at non-league level have gone on to play at a higher level. Currently, the majority of selected players are full-time professionals with Conference National
league clubs.
Home matches are played at various League and non-league grounds around the country. Friendly matches are played with equivalent teams from other nations, and compete in the Four Nations Tournament each season, along with Scotland, Wales and the full Gibraltar teams. They won the tournament for the seventh time in May 2008, winning all three of their matches without conceding a goal. They are also the current holders of the European Challenge Trophy. The team has been managed by Paul Fairclough
since January 2003, who used to manage Barnet
until he left the club by mutual consent in December 2008.
The team reached the final of the 2011 International Challenge Trophy, played at Northampton Town
's Sixfields Stadium
.
, Gibraltar
.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
team that represents England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
at non-league level. Formed in 1979 as the England Non-League team, it features players who play for clubs outside of the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
. Many players who have been capped
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
at non-league level have gone on to play at a higher level. Currently, the majority of selected players are full-time professionals with Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
league clubs.
Home matches are played at various League and non-league grounds around the country. Friendly matches are played with equivalent teams from other nations, and compete in the Four Nations Tournament each season, along with Scotland, Wales and the full Gibraltar teams. They won the tournament for the seventh time in May 2008, winning all three of their matches without conceding a goal. They are also the current holders of the European Challenge Trophy. The team has been managed by Paul Fairclough
Paul Fairclough
Paul Fairclough is the current manager of the England C national football team, formerly known as the National Game XI, England non-League team or the England semi-pro team, and in charge of youth development at Barnet having been caretaker for two months in 2011.As a player he made five...
since January 2003, who used to manage Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
until he left the club by mutual consent in December 2008.
The team reached the final of the 2011 International Challenge Trophy, played at Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
's Sixfields Stadium
Sixfields Stadium
Sixfields Stadium is a 7,653-capacity all-seater sports stadium in Northampton, England. It has been the home ground of Northampton Town Football Club following their move from the County Ground in October 1994....
.
2011–12 Results
| Competition | Opponents | Score | England goalscorers | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friendly | Gibraltar | 1–3 | Connor Jennings | 15 November 2011 |
2010–11 Results
| Competition | Opponents | Score | England goalscorers | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Challenge Trophy | Portugal U23 | 0–1 | 19 May 2011 | |
| International Challenge Trophy | Belgium U23 | 1–0 | Matthew Barnes-Homer Matthew Barnes-Homer Matthew Brian Barnes-Homer is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Rochdale. He is currently on loan to Rochdale from Conference side Luton Town.... |
9 February 2011 |
| International Challenge Trophy | Estonia U23 | 1–0 | Jake Howells Jake Howells Jake Thomas Howells is an English-born Welsh footballer who plays for Luton Town.-Youth career:Howells was born in Hemel Hempstead, and represented his town at youth level... |
12 October 2010 |
| Friendly | Wales Semi-Pro Wales national semi-professional football team The Wales National Semi-Professional Football Team is a football team that represents Wales at non-league level. It features players Under 23 years of age who play for clubs outside of the Football League and players from the Welsh Premier League are eligible... |
2–2 | Kyle McFadzean Kyle McFadzean Kyle John McFadzean is an English footballer who plays for Crawley Town as a defender.-Sheffield United:Born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, McFadzean was a member of Sheffield United's academy before being given a squad number for the 2005–06 season despite playing the majority of the campaign in... , Alex Rodman Alex Rodman Alexander "Alex" Rodman is an English footballer who plays for Aldershot Town as a striker.-Early career:Born in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, Rodman began his career with Leamington. While with The Brakes, Rodman was named as the 2005–06 FA Cup's "Player of the Round" for the third qualifying... |
14 September 2010 |
2009–10 Results
| Competition | Opponents | Score | England goalscorers | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Challenge Trophy | Republic of Ireland | 2–1 | Andrew Fleming Andrew Fleming (footballer) Andrew Lee Fleming is an English footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Football League Two side Morecambe.-Wrexham:... , Max Porter Max Porter Max Porter is an English footballer who plays for AFC Wimbledon.-Youth and Non-League:In his youth, Porter was part of the Tottenham and Southend United set-ups before signing a professional contract with Cambridge United but merely stayed for eight games... |
26 May 2010 |
| Friendly † | East of Scotland League XI East of Scotland Football League The East of Scotland Football League is a league of football teams from south-east Scotland formed in 1923. It is one of Scotland's three "senior" non-leagues which sit below the Scottish Football League , the other two being the Highland Football League and the South of Scotland Football League... |
1–0 | Max Porter Max Porter Max Porter is an English footballer who plays for AFC Wimbledon.-Youth and Non-League:In his youth, Porter was part of the Tottenham and Southend United set-ups before signing a professional contract with Cambridge United but merely stayed for eight games... |
22 May 2010 |
| Friendly | Poland U23 Poland national under-23 football team The Poland national under-23 football team or Poland Olympic football team is the national under-23 football team of Poland and is controlled by the Polish Football Association.- Olympic Record :... |
2–1 | Chris Holroyd Chris Holroyd Christopher "Chris" Holroyd is an English professional football player who currently plays for League Two side Rotherham United.... , Matthew Barnes-Homer Matthew Barnes-Homer Matthew Brian Barnes-Homer is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Rochdale. He is currently on loan to Rochdale from Conference side Luton Town.... |
17 November 2009 |
| Friendly | Hungary U23 | 1–1 | Louis Briscoe Louis Briscoe Louis Andrew Briscoe is an English footballer who plays for Conference National club Mansfield Town. His playing position is either as a Striker or on the right or left wing.... |
15 September 2009 |
- † Team appeared as FA Representative XI.
2008–09 Results
| Competition | Opponents | Score | England goalscorers | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Challenge Trophy | Belgium U21 Belgium national under-21 football team The Belgium national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Belgium and is controlled by the Belgian Football Association. The team competes in the European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years... |
0–1 | 19 May 2009 | |
| Friendly | Malta Malta national football team The Malta national football team is the national football team of Malta and is controlled by the Malta Football Association. Malta played its first international game in February 1957, and began competing for qualification to major tournaments in 1962. The side's first competitive victory came in... |
4–0 | Paul Brown, Lee Tomlin Lee Tomlin Lee Marc Tomlin is an English footballer who plays for Peterborough United as a winger or Striker. He has previously played for Leicester City and Rushden & Diamonds.-Career:... , Sean Newton Sean Newton Sean Michael Newton is an English footballer who plays for AFC Telford United. He predominantly plays as a left-back.-Career:A product of the club’s youth system, Newton signed professional forms with Chester City in May 2007... , Shaun Densmore |
17 February 2009 |
| International Challenge Trophy | Italy Lega Pro | 2–2 | Josh Simpson, James Constable James Constable James Ashley Constable is an English footballer who plays for Oxford United as a striker.Constable started his career with the Cirencester Town youth system, before breaking into the first team during the 2002–03 season. He moved to Chippenham Town in 2003, before signing for Walsall in the... |
12 Nov 2008 |
| Friendly | Bosnia and Herzegovina B Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is the national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina... |
2–6 | Luke Moore, Jon Shaw Jon Shaw For people of a similar name see John Shaw.Jon Steven Shaw is an English footballer who plays for Gateshead as a striker.-Sheffield Wednesday:... |
16 September 2008 |
2007–08 Results
| Competition | Opponents | Score | England goalscorers | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Challenge Trophy | Finland | 2–0 | Michael Morrison Michael Morrison (footballer) Michael Brian Morrison is an English footballer currently playing for Charlton Athletic. He plays as a centre-back but can also play as a right-back.-Cambridge United:... , Matthew Tubbs |
15 Nov 2007 |
| International Challenge Trophy | Wales Semi-Pro U23 | 2–1 | Mitchell Cole Mitchell Cole Mitchell James Cole is an English footballer. Cole was forced to retire from professional football in 2011 as a result of a deteriorating heart condition that meant it was dangerous for him to continue playing competitive football.... , Michael Morrison Michael Morrison (footballer) Michael Brian Morrison is an English footballer currently playing for Charlton Athletic. He plays as a centre-back but can also play as a right-back.-Cambridge United:... |
21 Feb 2008 |
| Four Nations Tournament | Gibraltar Gibraltar national football team The Gibraltar official football team represents Gibraltar in football competitions and is controlled by the Gibraltar Football Association. It is not yet a member of FIFA or UEFA and is therefore not eligible to enter the World Cup or the European Championship. Gibraltar applied for UEFA... |
1–0 | Mitchell Cole Mitchell Cole Mitchell James Cole is an English footballer. Cole was forced to retire from professional football in 2011 as a result of a deteriorating heart condition that meant it was dangerous for him to continue playing competitive football.... |
20 May 2008 |
| Four Nations Tournament | Scotland | 1–0 | Steve Morison Steve Morison Steven William "Steve" Morison is a Welsh international footballer who plays for Norwich City as a striker.Morison started his career at Northampton Town at the age of 16, progressing through the club's centre of excellence... |
22 May 2008 |
| Four Nations Tournament | Wales | 3–0 | Andy Burgess Andy Burgess Andrew John Blakemore "Andy" Burgess is an English footballer who is currently a player/coach midfielder for Corby Town.-Playing career:... , Michael Morrison Michael Morrison (footballer) Michael Brian Morrison is an English footballer currently playing for Charlton Athletic. He plays as a centre-back but can also play as a right-back.-Cambridge United:... , Shaun Harrad Shaun Harrad Shaun Nicholas Harrad is a professional footballer currently playing with Bury in League 1, where he plays as a striker.-Career:... |
24 May 2008 |
| Friendly | Grenada Grenada national football team The Grenada national football team is the national team of Grenada and is controlled by the Grenada Football Association. It is affiliated to the Caribbean Football Union of CONCACAF. The team is nicknamed The Spice Boys, a reference to the export of nutmeg from the country... |
1–1 | Steve Morison Steve Morison Steven William "Steve" Morison is a Welsh international footballer who plays for Norwich City as a striker.Morison started his career at Northampton Town at the age of 16, progressing through the club's centre of excellence... |
31 May 2008 |
| Friendly | Barbados Barbados national football team The Barbados national football team, nicknamed Bajan Pride, is the national association football team of Barbados and is controlled by the Barbados Football Association. It has never qualified for a major international tournament... |
2–0 | Jon Shaw Jon Shaw For people of a similar name see John Shaw.Jon Steven Shaw is an English footballer who plays for Gateshead as a striker.-Sheffield Wednesday:... , Russell Penn |
2 Jun 2008 |
2006–07 Results
| Competition | Opponents | Score | England goalscorers | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Challenge Trophy | The Netherlands | 4–1 | Steve Morison Steve Morison Steven William "Steve" Morison is a Welsh international footballer who plays for Norwich City as a striker.Morison started his career at Northampton Town at the age of 16, progressing through the club's centre of excellence... , Kieran Charnock Kieran Charnock Kieran James Charnock is an English footballer who plays as a defender for League Two side Morecambe, on loan from Torquay United.-Career:... , George Boyd George Boyd (footballer) George Ian Boyd is a footballer who plays for Peterborough United as a winger.Boyd started his career in the Charlton Athletic youth system, joining Stevenage Borough of the Conference National in 2001 and making his first-team debut in 2002. Boyd spent five seasons at Stevenage, scoring over... , Craig Mackail-Smith Craig Mackail-Smith Craig Anthony Robert Mackail-Smith is a footballer who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion as a striker. He has also played for England C and at full international level for Scotland... |
29 Nov 2006 |
| International Friendly | Northern Ireland | 1–3 | Paul Benson Paul Benson Paul Andrew Benson is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Charlton Athletic.-Career:Originally on the books of Southend United, Benson was signed by Daggers boss John Still on 1 July 2005, after Still saw him on the pitch for White Ensign of the Essex Olympian League, where he scored... |
13 Feb 2007 |
| Four Nations Tournament | Ireland | 5–0 | Mitchell Cole Mitchell Cole Mitchell James Cole is an English footballer. Cole was forced to retire from professional football in 2011 as a result of a deteriorating heart condition that meant it was dangerous for him to continue playing competitive football.... (3), Glen Southam Glen Southam Glen Andrew James Southam is an English footballer who plays for Dover Athletic as a midfielder. He has represented the England semi-professional side.-Career:... , Matthew Tubbs |
22 May 2007 |
| Four Nations Tournament | Scotland | 3–0 | Andy Burgess Andy Burgess Andrew John Blakemore "Andy" Burgess is an English footballer who is currently a player/coach midfielder for Corby Town.-Playing career:... , John Grant John Grant (footballer) John Anthony Carlton Grant is an English footballer and plays as a striker for Macclesfield Town.-Crewe Alexandra:... , Jon Ashton Jon Ashton Jonathan James "Jon" Ashton is an English footballer, currently playing for League One side Stevenage.... |
25 May 2007 |
| Four Nations Tournament | Wales | 3–0 | Gareth Seddon Gareth Seddon Gareth Anthony Seddon is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Fleetwood Town. He played 79 games in the Football League for Bury.-Early career:... (2), Mitchell Cole Mitchell Cole Mitchell James Cole is an English footballer. Cole was forced to retire from professional football in 2011 as a result of a deteriorating heart condition that meant it was dangerous for him to continue playing competitive football.... |
27 May 2007 |
| International Friendly | Finland | 1–0 | Mitchell Cole Mitchell Cole Mitchell James Cole is an English footballer. Cole was forced to retire from professional football in 2011 as a result of a deteriorating heart condition that meant it was dangerous for him to continue playing competitive football.... |
1 June 2007 |
Current squad
The following squad was selected to play Gibraltar on 15 November 2011 at Victoria StadiumVictoria Stadium (Gibraltar)
Victoria Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Gibraltar. It is currently used mostly for football matches and holds about 5,000 people. It is located close to the Gibraltar Airport just off Winston Churchill Avenue.-See also:* Football in Gibraltar...
, Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
.
- ‡ denotes call-up after original squad announcement.
Managers
- Paul FaircloughPaul FaircloughPaul Fairclough is the current manager of the England C national football team, formerly known as the National Game XI, England non-League team or the England semi-pro team, and in charge of youth development at Barnet having been caretaker for two months in 2011.As a player he made five...
(2003–) - Steve Avory (2002–2003)
- John Owens (1997–2002)
- Keith Wright (1980–1985)
- Howard WilkinsonHoward WilkinsonHoward Wilkinson is a former English football player and manager, and has recently stepped down as a Non-Executive Director at Sheffield Wednesday after formerly relinquishing the chairman role to Milan Mandaric...
(1979–1980)
Notable players
- Junior AgogoJunior AgogoManuel "Junior" Agogo is a Ghanaian professional footballer. He is a striker and currently plays for Scottish Premier League side Hibernian. He has spent most of his career in England, as well as spells in the United States, Egypt and most recently Cyprus. He attended St...
- Marcus BignotMarcus BignotMarcus Bignot is an ex-English professional footballer, currently manager of Solihull Moors.-Playing career:...
- Andy BishopAndy BishopAndrew Jamie "Andy" Bishop is an English footballer who plays for Bury as a striker.-Walsall:Born in Cannock, Staffordshire, Bishop started his career at Walsall's youth system as a trainee, signing a professional contract on 9 August 2002. He joined Kidderminster Harriers on a one-month loan on...
- George BoydGeorge Boyd (footballer)George Ian Boyd is a footballer who plays for Peterborough United as a winger.Boyd started his career in the Charlton Athletic youth system, joining Stevenage Borough of the Conference National in 2001 and making his first-team debut in 2002. Boyd spent five seasons at Stevenage, scoring over...
- Andy ClarkeAndy ClarkeAndrew Weston Clarke is an English former footballer who played for Barnet, Wimbledon and Peterborough United as a striker.-Playing career:...
- Danny CollinsDanny CollinsDaniel Lewis "Danny" Collins is a Welsh footballer currently playing for Ipswich Town on loan from Stoke City. Collins also plays for the Wales national football team as a defender....
- Paul FurlongPaul FurlongPaul Furlong is an English professional footballer, currently playing for St Albans City in a player/coach role.-Career:...
- Jerry GillJerry GillJeremy Morley "Jerry" Gill is an English former professional footballer. He is currently the youth team coach for Bristol Rovers, Despite his late entry into the professional game – he made his debut in the Football League at the age of 27 – and a career-threatening injury sustained five years...
- David StockdaleDavid StockdaleDavid Adam Stockdale is an English footballer who plays for Ipswich Town as a goalkeeper, on loan from Fulham.Stockdale started his career with the Huddersfield Town youth system before joining York City's youth system in 2000, where he became a trainee in 2002. He made his first team debut on the...
- Mark CarterMark CarterFor the former All Black see Mark Carter Mark Colin Carter is an English former footballer....
- Steve GuppySteve GuppyStephen Andrew "Steve" Guppy is a retired English international football winger, who now works as assistant coach at Colorado Rapids....
- Karl HawleyKarl HawleyKarl Leon Hawley is an English professional footballer who plays for Notts County as a striker. Hawley has represented England C.-Career:...
- Barry HaylesBarry HaylesBarrington Edward "Barry" Hayles is a footballer who plays for Conference South club Truro City as a striker, having previously played for Stevenage Borough, Bristol Rovers, Fulham, Sheffield United, Millwall, Plymouth Argyle, Leicester City and Cheltenham Town...
- Andy HessenthalerAndy HessenthalerAndrew "Andy" Hessenthaler is an English football manager and former player, currently in his second spell as manager of Gillingham. Hessenthaler began his career in non-league football and did not turn professional until he joined Watford at the age of 26...
- Terry HibbittTerry HibbittTerence Arthur "Terry" Hibbitt was an English football player, who was on the books at Leeds United, Newcastle United and Birmingham City during his career. His position was midfielder...
- David HowellDavid Howell (footballer)David Howell is a former English football player, who played as a central defender. He is currently the manager of St Albans City.-Playing career:...
- Lee HughesLee HughesLee Hughes is an English Footballer who plays for Notts County as a striker.-Non-League and West Bromwich Albion:On leaving Bristnall Hall High School, Oldbury in 1992 Hughes started playing semi-professionally in non-League football with Kidderminster Harriers in the Football Conference, as well...
- Steve Jones
- David PerkinsDavid Perkins (footballer)David Philip Perkins is an English footballer, who currently plays for Barnsley.-Career:Perkins started his career with Morecambe, for whom he played 170 league games.-Rochdale:...
- D.J. Campbell
- Michael KightlyMichael KightlyMichael John Kightly is an English footballer who plays as a winger. He is on loan at Championship side Watford from Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers....
- Craig Mackail-SmithCraig Mackail-SmithCraig Anthony Robert Mackail-Smith is a footballer who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion as a striker. He has also played for England C and at full international level for Scotland...
- Aaron McLeanAaron McLeanAaron McLean is an English footballer who plays for Hull City as a striker.-Early career:Born in Hammersmith, London, McLean attended Robert Clack School in Dagenham. He has played for Leyton Orient and Aldershot Town....
- Steve MorisonSteve MorisonSteven William "Steve" Morison is a Welsh international footballer who plays for Norwich City as a striker.Morison started his career at Northampton Town at the age of 16, progressing through the club's centre of excellence...
- Dean MoxeyDean MoxeyDean William Moxey is an English professional footballer who plays for Championship side Crystal Palace. He is a left-sided player, comfortable at either left back or on the left side of midfield. He has been capped by England at semi-professional level.-Exeter City:Moxey began his career as a...
- Trevor PeakeTrevor PeakeTrevor Peake is a retired English footballer. He was a member of Coventry City's FA Cup winning team in 1987 and is current assistant academy director of Leicester City.-Coaching career:...
- Sam RickettsSam RickettsSamuel Derek "Sam" Ricketts is a Welsh international footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers. His favoured position is full-back...
- Gary Roberts
- Alan SmithAlan M. SmithAlan Martin Smith is an English former football striker. He played for Leicester City and Arsenal at professional level, and won thirteen caps for England.-Leicester City:...
- Mark StimsonMark StimsonMark Nicholas Stimson is an English former footballer and current manager of Kettering Town. He signed his first professional contract with Tottenham Hotspur in 1985, but was unable to gain a regular place in the team. In 1989, he moved on to Newcastle United, where he made over 80 appearances in...
- See also :Category:England semi-pro international footballers
Honours
- Four Nations Tournament: Winners (1979, 1981, 1983, 2003, 2005, 2007)
- European Challenge Trophy: Winners (2005/06)