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Season 1946-47

x

International Selection Committee

Friendly matches
110 25 January 1947 - England 2 Wales 2 [2-1]
Champion Hill, Dulwich
(12,000)
Joseph, Edelston
Reed, J.Jones
HD
England: B.Streten, G.Burchell ͨ, E.Bunker, L.Topp, J.Paviour, E.Fright, C.Martin, M.Edelston, C.Vaughan, G.Bunce, L.Joseph.

On a snow-covered pitch, England surrendered a two-goal lead in their first match for eight years. George Burchell and Maurice Edelston had played in the last match

111 8 February 1947 - England 3 Ireland 1 [2-0]
Haig Avenue, Southport
(3,200)
Tanner (3)
Bunting
HW
England: B.Streten, G.Burchell ͨ, E.Bunker, L.Topp, J.Paviour, E.Fright, C.Martin, H.Parr, J.Tanner, G.Bunce, L.Joseph.
112 29 March 1947 - Wales 1 England 4 [1-2]
Rexville, Newport
(-)
J.Jones
Tanner, Joseph (2), Edelston
AW
England: B.Streten, G.Burchell ͨ, E.Bunker, L.Topp, J.Paviour, E.Lee, C.Martin, M.Edelston, J.Tanner, G.Bunce, L.Joseph.

With the Scottish Amateur FA unable to provide opposition, due to an ongoing disagreement with the Scottish Football Association over responsibility for the amateur internationals, England played a second fixture against Wales. Jack Jones had an opportunity to bring the Welsh level in the second half, but sent his penalty wide of the goal.

Friendly match tour
- 10 May 1947 - Netherlands 1 England 2 [nk]
Goffertstadion, Nijmegen (-)
NK
Martin, Phipps
AW
England: B.Streten, G.Burchell ͨ, E.Childs, L.Topp, J.Paviour, E.Lee, C.Martin, R.Phipps, M.Edelston, G.Bunce, L.West.

On the day that the four home nations' return to FIFA was celebrated with a game between the United Kingdom and the Rest of Europe in Glasgow, England embarked on their first post-war tour, the first two matches of which were deemed unofficial, against two nations that did not have amateur teams, as all of their players were amateur.

- 13 May 1947 - Luxembourg 4 England 3 [2-2]
Stade Municipal, Stad Lëtzebuerg
(3,500)
Letsch, Libar (2), Kettel
Phipps (2), Stannard
AL
England: B.Streten, E.Childs, L.Farrar, T.Martin, J.Paviour ͨ, E.Fright, C.Martin, H.Stannard, R.Phipps, unknown, L.West.
This was a charity match in honour of the Grand Duchess Charlotte.
113 17 May 1947 - France 1 England 4 [0-1]
Stade Henri-Jooris, Lille
(3,000)
NK
Bunce, Phipps (2), Edelston
AW
England: B.Streten, G.Burchell ͨ, E.Childs, L.Topp, J.Paviour, E.Lee, C.Martin, R.Phipps, M.Edelston, G.Bunce, L.West.

The first of, what became, an annual fixture with their neighbours from across the channel, saw England record a convincing victory to end their first post-war season.


Season 1947-48
International Trial Match
- 10 January 1948 - England 4 The Rest 4 [2-0]
The Pilot Field, Hastings
(5,500)
Phipps (3), Carney
McIlvenny, Rawlings (2), Stannard
HD
England: W.Storey, C.Neale, E.Childs, J.Hardisty, J.Paviour ͨ, E.Fright, R.Stroud, A.Hopper, R.Phipps, L.Carney, L.Joseph.

The annual trial match reverted to its pre-war format. Only McIlvenny and Rawlings played their way into the side for the trip to Bangor, two weeks later. Carney and Storey never won caps, nor did Harry Stannard, who had also scored on tour in Luxembourg, the previous year.

Friendly matches
114 24 January 1948 - Wales 2 England 7 [1-3]
The Stadium, Bangor
(-)
Ellis, Hogg
McIlvenny (2), Rawlings (2), Hopper, Stroud, Fright
AW
England: J.Wilson, C.Neale, E.Childs, J.Hardisty, J.Paviour ͨ, E.Fright, R.Stroud, A.Hopper, H.McIlvenny, J.Rawlings, L.Joseph.

The Welsh lost a defender, Taylor, early in the second half, to injury, but the game was already won by that stage.

115 7 February 1948 - Ireland 0 England 5 [0-3]
Cliftonville Gardens, Belfast (-)
Rawlings (2), McIlvenny (3) AW
England: J.Wilson, C.Neale, E.Childs, J.Hardisty, J.Paviour ͨ, E.Fright, J.Tanner, A.Hopper, H.McIlvenny, J.Rawlings, L.Joseph.
 

Three weeks later, the following side played in an Olympic trial match for Great Britain against Queen's Park at Fratton Park, Portsmouth: Carr, Neale, Bell, Edwards, Lee ͨ, Fright, Donovan (Wales), Hopper, McIlvenny, Rawlings, Amor. Bill Amor scored a hat-trick and Harry McIlvenny scored the last goal in a 4-0 win.

116 6 March 1948 - England 3 Wales 4 [2-1]
Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury
(-)
McIlvenny (2), Rawlings
Reynolds (2), Donovan (2)
HL
England: J.Wilson, C.Neale, R.Bell, J.Hardisty, D.Stoker, E.Fright ͨ, N.Smith, A.Hopper, H.McIlvenny, J.Rawlings, W.Amor.

Just six weeks after being thrashed by England at Bangor, Wales made eight changes and recorded their first victory against them since 1921.

Amateur Triangular Tournament
117 26 March 1948 - England 2 Luxembourg 1 [0-1]
Lynn Road, Ilford
(16,000)
Rawlings, Hardisty (pen)
Schammel
HW
England: J.Wilson, C.Neale, E.Childs, J.Hardisty, J.Paviour ͨ, E.Fright, R.Stroud, A.Hopper, H.McIlvenny, J.Rawlings, L.Joseph.

England began this Easter tournament with victory on Good Friday. The English newspapers credited Luxembourg's goal to Kettel. On the following day, kicking off at 11 a.m., the Netherlands beat Luxembourg, 1-0 at Dulwich to set up the decider for Easter Monday.

118 29 March 1948 - England 2 Netherlands 5 [0-3]
Champion Hill, Dulwich
(-)
Noble (pen), McIlvenny
van der Tuyn (2), Schaap, Engelsman (2)
HL
England: J.Wilson, G.Wheeler, E.Childs, J.Hardisty, J.Paviour ͨ, E.Fright, A.Hopper, A.Noble, H.McIlvenny, J.Rawlings, L.Joseph.

The Dutch won the tournament with ease, notching up a five-goal lead before England made the score more respectable with two late consolation goals.

Friendly match
119 3 April 1948 - England 0 France 2 [0-2]
Lynn Road, Ilford (12,000)
Strappe, Lanfranchi HL
England: R.Carr, C.Neale, E.Childs, J.Hardisty, J.Paviour ͨ, E.Fright, J.Major, R.Phipps, H.McIlvenny, J.Rawlings, L.Joseph.

Five days after losing to the Dutch, England suffered a third home defeat of the season and it was feared that Great Britain would not be able to mount a serious challenge in the upcoming London Olympic Games.

Fright, Hardisty, Joseph, Lee, Neale and the uncapped George Brown were all selected to play for Great Britain against the Netherlands in Amsterdam on 20th June. Bob Hardisty was captain and Leon Joseph scored an equaliser for Britain, but they lost, 2-1 and Brown and Joseph did not make the Olympic squad.
Season 1948-49
Prior to the Olympic tournament, the Great Britain squad played two games in Europe. The first, on 10th July, was a 3-2 defeat against the Swiss club side, FC Basel. Fright, Hardisty ͨ, Lee, McIlvenny, Rawlings and the uncapped Peter Kippax were the English players in the side. Harry McIlvenny scored Britain's second goal. Fifteen days later, Britain travelled to Nantes and defeated France, 3-2. Fright, Hardisty ͨ, Hopper, Kippax, Lee, McIlvenny and Neale made up the English contingent, with Tommy Hopper opening the scoring and McIlvenny putting the visitors into a three-goal lead at the interval with a penalty.

x

Ten English amateurs were selected to represent Great Britain at the Games of the XIV Olympiad in London and played the following fixtures:
XIV Olympiad Games in London
- first round
31 July 1948 -
Great Britain 4 Netherlands 3 [1-1]ᴭᵀ³⁻³
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury (21,000)
Hardisty, McBain, Kelleher, McIlvenny
Appel (2), Wilkes
HW
GB: Simpson, C.Neale, Manning, McBain, E.Lee, E.Fright, A.Hopper, J.Hardisty ͨ, H.McIlvenny, Kelleher, F.Kippax.

A brave performance by the host nation, after the Dutch had beaten both England and Great Britain in the past few months. Tommy Hopper ruled himself out of the rest of the tournament after playing for most of the game with a fractured cheekbone before collapsing following Harry McIlvenny's extra-time winner.

- quarter-final
5 August 1948 - Great Britain 1 France 0 [1-0]
Craven Cottage, Fulham
(25,000)
Hardisty HW
GB: McAlinden, C.Neale, McColl, E.Lee, E.Fright, Donovan, J.Hardisty ͨ, H.McIlvenny, Kelleher, F.Kippax. 

Like the Dutch, France had outplayed England, four months earlier, but Bob Hardisty's header broke their resistance to complete the second British victory against the French in twelve days.

- semi-final
11 August 1948 - Great Britain 1 Yugoslavia 3 [1-2]
Empire Stadium, Wembley
(40,000)
Donovan
Bobek,
Wölfl, Mitić
HL
GB: McAlinden, C.Neale, McColl, McBain, E.Lee, E.Fright, Donovan, J.Hardisty ͨ, H.McIlvenny, Kelleher, F.Kippax.

The state-backed Yugoslavs brought the dream of the British amateurs to an end with slick passing moves and superior skills.

- third-place play-off match
13 August 1948 - Great Britain 3 Denmark 5 [2-3]
Empire Stadium, Wembley
(5,000)
Aitken, McIlvenny, Amor (pen)
Præst (2), Hansen (2), Sørensen
HL
GB: Simpson, C.Neale, Carmichael, J.Hardisty ͨ, E.Lee, E.Fright, Boyd, Aitken, H.McIlvenny, J.Rawlings, W.Amor. 

Britain missed out on the medals as really wet conditions resulted in several goalkeeping errors and eight goals.

Sweden won the gold medals. The remainder of the squad was: Smith, Letham and R.Phipps.

International Trial Match
- 18 December 1948 - England 5 The Rest 2 [1-1]
The Pilot Field, Hastings
(-)
McIlvenny (3), Barker, Walton
Potts, Gilholme
HW
England: P.Richardson, C.Neale ͨ, C.Barker, L.Topp, E.Downes, E.Fright, A.Holden, J.Walton, H.McIlvenny, J.Rawlings, George Robb.

None of The Rest players did enough to earn a place in the England team for the following month's game with Wales and only five of the England team did.

Friendly matches
120 22 January 1949 - England 4 Wales 1 [1-0]
County Ground, Swindon
(-)
Lewis (2), Rawlings, Joseph
James
HW
England: R.Rowe, C.Neale, A.Smith, J.Hardisty ͨ, J.Bridges, E.Fright, J.Lewis, J.Walton, H.McIlvenny, J.Rawlings, L.Joseph.
121 5 February 1949 - England 0 Ireland 1 [0-0]
Carrow Road, Norwich
(24,000)
Kelleher HL
England: R.Rowe, R.Gadsden, A.Smith, J.Hardisty ͨ, J.Bridges, E.Fright, J.Lewis, J.Walton, G.Brown, J.Rawlings, H.Potts.

Ireland's first victory in England.

122 12 March 1949 - Wales 1 England 3 [0-3]
Stebonheath Park, Llanelli
(5,272)
Reynolds
Lewis, Teasdale, Walton
AW
England: R.Rowe, C.Neale ͨ, L.Rowland, G.Shuttleworth, C.Fuller, E.Fright, J.Lewis, J.Walton, H.Teasdale, J.Rawlings, L.Joseph.

Hughes, the Welsh goalkeeper, was carried off after an hour, but the ten men, including emergency 'keeper, still managed to prevent further goals, before netting a consolation.

123 16 April 1949 - Scotland 3 England 2 [0-1]
Hampden Park, Glasgow
(20,000)
Blyth (3)
Rawlings, Lewis
AL
England: D.Jarvis, C.Neale, E.Lee, J.Hardisty ͨ, C.Fuller, J.Kavanagh, J.Lewis, A.Hopper, H.Teasdale, J.Rawlings, L.Joseph.

Following a ten-year break, Scotland returned to face England in a lively encounter. Eddie Blyth scored a hat-trick, but also had a first-half penalty saved by Doug Jarvis, who went off injured early in the second half. Tommy Hopper went in goal and performed admirably until Jarvis returned, with England still holding the lead.

Ralph Carr, Ron Gadsden, Jimmy Potts and the uncapped Denis Saunders were selected for the Football Association's two-match visit to Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands.

124 22 May 1949 - France 1 England 2 [1-nk]
Stade Lesdiguières, Grenoble
(-)
Moreel
Rawlings, Robb
AW
England: D.Jarvis, C.Neale, A.Smith, L.Topp, C.Fuller, E.Fright, A.Hopper, J.Hardisty (c), H.Teasdale, J.Rawlings, George Robb.
- 29 May 1949 - Switzerland 1 England 1 [1-0]
Stadion Allmend, Luzern
(10,000)
Neale OG
Noble
AD

England: D.Jarvis, C.Neale ͨ, L.Rowland, L.Topp, C.Fuller, J.Kavanagh, L.Carney, J.Walton, A.Noble, J.Rawlings, George Robb.

Switzerland did not have an amateur national side at this time, so this game was classed as unofficial for both associations.

- 2 June 1949 - Italy 3 England 1 [1-0]
Stadio Pierluigi Penzo, Venezia
(10,000)
Castelli, Mari (pen), Muccinelli
Robb
AL

England: D.Jarvis, C.Neale ͨ, A.Smith, L.Topp, C.Fuller, E.Fright, A.Hopper, A.Noble, H.Teasdale, J.Rawlings, George Robb.

With Italian football reeling from the previous month's air crash that had decimated Torino and the national team, they fielded an unofficial 'student' team (though all had played in Serie A), including full international, Giampiero Boniperti, who went on to captain Italy at the 1954 World Cup.


Season 1949-50
International Trial Match
- 19 December 1949 - England 1 The Rest 3 [0-1]
Portman Road, Ipswich
(5,079)
McIlvenny
Noble, Lunn, Holmes
HL
England: D.Jarvis, C.Neale ͨ, A.Smith, P.Aston, D.Saunders, E.Fright, J.Lewis, J.Walton, H.McIlvenny, J.Rawlings, L.Joseph.

This was the last of England's trial matches against The Rest, four of whom (Holmes, Rowland, Shepherd and Wallis) were capped on the following month's trip to Bangor.

Friendly matches
125 21 January 1950 - Wales 0 England 1 [0-0]
The Stadium, Bangor
(7,575)
Slater AW
England: D.Jarvis, L.Wallis, L.Rowland, P.Aston, C.Fuller ͨ, W.Shepherd, J.Lewis, J.Walton, W.Holmes, Bill Slater, L.Joseph.

Walter Shepherd made an impressive debut on a treacherous pitch, and wearing spectacles!

126 4 February 1950 - Ireland 1 England 3 [1-2]
Windsor Park, Belfast
(15,000)
O'Flanagan
Slater (2 (1 pen)), Holmes
AW
England: D.Jarvis, L.Wallis, L.C.Rowland, P.Aston, C.Fuller ͨ, W.Shepherd, J.Walton, W.Holmes, Bill Slater, L.Joseph, H.Potts.

Doug Jarvis saved a penalty from Terry McCavana that would have brought the Irish level for the second time, but Bill Slater's spot-kick sealed the win.

127 4 March 1950 - England 0 Scotland 0 [0-0]
Boothferry Park, Hull
(20,000)
  HD
England: D.Jarvis, L.Wallis, L.Rowland, P.Aston, C.Fuller ͨ, D.Mills, W.Holmes, H.Potts, A.Noble, George Robb, J.Rawlings.

The clean sheet was enough to give England the unofficial title of British Champions. Even if Wales had played Ireland, no country could have bettered England's five points.

128 8 April 1950 - England 0 France 0 [0-0]
The Dell, Southampton
(14,000)
  HD
England: D.Jarvis, L.Wallis, L.Rowland, P.Aston, C.Fuller ͨ, L.Topp, J.Walton, Bill Slater, H.Potts, A.Noble, F.Kippax.

Despite Charlie Fuller being off the field for twenty minutes in the first half receiving treatment for a head injury, another strong defensive performance saw England secure a third clean sheet in four games, with only one international goal conceded during the season.

Friendly match Tour
- 14 May 1950 - Københavns BU 4 England 1 [2-1]
Københavns Idrætspark, København (17,000)
Hansen (2), Pilmark (pen), Frandsen
Koppen OG
AL
England: E.Bennett, S.Howe, L.Rowland, L.Topp, C.Fuller ͨ, E.Fright, A.Pawson, J.Walton, W.Holmes, E.Taylor, S.Rutherford.

England's end-of-season tour was fairly low key and consisted of five games in Scandinavia, the first four of which were against regional selections.

- 18 May 1950 - Fyns BU 2 England 2 [0-0]
Odense Stadion, Funen (6,000)
Hansen, Berg
Noble, Walton
AD
England: E.Bennett, P.Aston, L.Rowland, L.Topp, C.Fuller ͨ, E.Fright, A.Pawson, A.Noble, W.Holmes, K.Butler, S.Rutherford.

Alf Noble missed a penalty with eight minutes remaining of this second game, played on the island of Funen.

- 21 May 1950 - Jylland BU 1 England 2 [0-2]
Aarhus Idrætspark, Jutland (7,000)
Hansen
Holmes, Walton
AW

England: E.Bennett, P.Aston, L.Rowland, L.Topp, C.Fuller ͨ, E.Fright, A.Pawson, A.Noble, W.Holmes, J.Walton, S.Rutherford.

- 23 May 1950 - Göteburgs FF 0 England 1 [0-1]
Nya Ullevi Stadion, Göteborg (4,521)
Walton AW

England: E.Bennett, J.Kavanagh, L.Rowland, L.Topp, C.Fuller ͨ, E.Fright, A.Pawson, A.Noble, W.Holmes, J.Walton, S.Rutherford.

- 26 May 1950 - IF Elfsborg 1 England 3 [0-2]
Ryavallen, Borås (-)
NK
Holmes (2), Pawson
AW

England: E.Bennett, J.Kavanagh, L.Rowland, L.Topp, C.Fuller ͨ, E.Fright, A.Pawson, A.Noble, W.Holmes, J.Walton, S.Rutherford.

England finished the tour against a Swedish club side.


Season 1950-51
Trial matches
- 25 November 1950 -
Stockport County FC 6 England 3
[4-0]
Edgeley Park, Stockport (-)
Dick (4 (1 pen)), Herd (2)
Stroud
(2), Mortimore
AL
England: E.Bennett, E.Beardsley, L.Rowland, L.Topp, D.Adams, E.Fright, R.Stroud, J.Walton, C.Mortimore, J.Rawlings, H.Potts.

The Football Association now tried a new approach to their amateur trials, by facing two Third Division teams, one from the North section and one from the South. Alec Herd (who was now 39) had played against England for Scotland in a wartime international in 1942.

- 9 December 1950 -
Northampton Town FC 4 England 1
[3-0]
County Ground, Northampton (-)
Dixon (2), Murphy, McCulloch
Mortimore
AL
England: D.Jarvis, E.Beardsley, L.Farrar, L.Topp, C.Fuller ͨ, E.Fright, J.Lewis, J.Gregory, C.Mortimore, Bill Slater, H.Potts.

Another resounding defeat, though useful experience against seasoned professionals.

Friendly matches
129 6 January 1951 - Republic of Ireland 0 England 1 [0-0]
Dalymount Park, Dublin
(-)
Mortimore AW
England: D.Jarvis, E.Beardsley (A.Noble), L.Farrar, L.Topp, C.Fuller ͨ, E.Fright, J.Lewis, J.Walton, C.Mortimore, Bill Slater, H.Potts.

England's first trip to Dublin since 1908, when they had played a united Ireland. Eric Beardsley broke his ankle after only four minutes of his debut and it was another four years before he got another chance to play for England. Alf Noble became England's first ever substitute, as they reorganised the side and kept their fourth clean sheet in five games.

130 20 January 1951 - England 4 Wales 1 [1-1]
Filbert Street, Leicester
(13,000)
Slater (2), Mortimore (2)
Huntley
HW
England: D.Jarvis, R.Cowan, L.Farrar, L.Topp, C.Fuller ͨ, E.Fright, H.Potts, J.Walton, C.Mortimore, Bill Slater, George Robb.
131 3 February 1951 - England 6 Ireland 3 [4-0]
Highfield Road, Coventry
(-)
Lewis (4), Potts (2)
McGarry (2 (1 pen)), Cunningham
HW
England: D.Jarvis, D.Adams, L.Farrar, L.Topp, C.Fuller ͨ, E.Fright, H.Potts, J.Walton, J.Lewis, A.Noble, George Robb.

In a game strangely reminiscent of the famous 1925 encounter at Maidstone, the men from Northern Ireland shook England by scoring three goals in the first nine minutes of the second half.

132 7 April 1951 - Scotland 2 England 3 [1-1]
Hampden Park, Glasgow
(10,500)
Grierson, Bruce
Lewis
(3)
AW
England: B.Brown, C.Neale, L.Farrar, L.Topp, C.Fuller ͨ, J.Hardisty, R.Stroud, J.Walton, J.Lewis, Bill Slater, H.Potts.

Jim Lewis scored seven goals in two games to secure the 'Triple Crown' for England.

Festival of Britain
133 10 May 1951 - England 3 Finland 2 [2-1]
County Ground, Swindon (14,499)
Martin OG, Slater, Lewis (pen)
Vaihela, Lahti
HW
England: D.Jarvis, R.Cowan, L.Farrar, J.Hardisty ͨ, D.Adams, D.Saunders, A.Pawson, J.Walton, J.Lewis, Bill Slater, A.Noble.
Denis Saunders won his only cap for England and is not to be confused with Derek Saunders, who made the first of his six appearances, a year later.
134 15 May 1951 - England 2 Norway 1 [2-0]
Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough (12,000)
Noble, Robb
Sveinsson
HW
England: D.Jarvis, D.Adams, L.Farrar, C.Fuller ͨ, J.Hardisty, Bill Slater, A.Pawson, J.Walton, J.Lewis, A.Noble, George Robb.

This match is classed as a full international by Norway.

Friendly matches
135 20 May 1951 - France 3 England 3 [3-0]
Stade Maurice-Postaire, Cherbourg
(7,000)
Barreau, Beaurance, Lefebvre
Slater, Lewis, Noble
AD
England: D.Jarvis, R.Cowan, J.Kavanagh, C.Fuller ͨ, E.Fright, Bill Slater, A.Pawson, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, A.Noble, George Robb.

A terrific second-half comeback enabled England to complete two international seasons without defeat. Some reports state that Robb scored instead of Noble.


Season 1951-52
136 2 February 1952 - Ireland 1 England 3 [0-2]
Shamrock Park, Portadown
(8,125)
McGarry (pen)
Lewis (2), Holmes
AW
England: B.Brown, R.Cowan, L.Rowland, L.Topp, D.Adams, Bill Slater ͨ, A.Pawson, J.Lewis, W.Holmes, J.Walton, George Robb.

On a snowy pitch, Maurice Masters hit the post with a second-half penalty for Ireland, before Kevin McGarry showed him how to do it.

137 16 February 1952 - Wales 3 England 4 [2-3]
The Stadium, Bangor
(-)
Nelson, Brown (pen), Griffiths
Lewis
(2), Noble (2)
AW
England: B.Brown, S.Charlton, L.Stratton, L.Topp, D.Adams, Bill Slater, C.Mortimore, A.Noble, J.Lewis ͨ, J.Walton, George Robb.

For the second match in succession, England conceded two penalty-kicks, and again, only the second of them was scored. Welsh captain, Gwyn Morgan's kick was saved by Ben Brown, with England 3-1 ahead. On a muddy surface, Wales fought back to level for the second time, before Alf Noble's scrappy winner, three minutes from time.

138 8 March 1952 - England 8 Republic of Ireland 3 [4-2]
Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury (9,500)
Robb, Noble (4), Fullam OG, Lewis (2)
Hennessy, J.Fitzgerald, D.Fitzgerald

HW
England: B.Brown, S.Charlton, L.Stratton, L.Topp, C.Fuller, Bill Slater, C.Mortimore, A.Noble, J.Lewis ͨ, J.Dutchman, George Robb.

A goal feast as England stretched their unbeaten run to fifteen matches.

139 15 March 1952 - England 1 Scotland 2 [0-1]
Empire Stadium, Wembley
(50,000)
Noble
Murray, Grierson
HL
England: B.Brown, S.Charlton, L.Stratton, L.Topp, C.Fuller, Bill Slater, C.Mortimore, A.Noble, J.Lewis ͨ, J.Walton, George Robb.

The first amateur international to be played at the national stadium saw Scotland deservedly end England's three-year unbeaten record as they won the 'Triple Crown' for the first time since 1937.

140 5 April 1952 - England 3 France 0 [1-0]
Carrow Road, Norwich
(13,822)
Noble, Lewis (2 (1 pen)) HW
England: E.Bennett, S.Charlton, L.Stratton, L.Topp, C.Fuller, D.Saunders, A.Pawson, A.Noble, J.Lewis ͨ , Bill Slater, George Robb.
Bennett, Fuller, Lewis, Robb, Slater, Stratton, Topp and the uncapped Ken Facey were selected by Walter Winterbottom to play for Great Britain in an Olympic trial match against England B at Highbury, London on 30th April. The trialists lost 3-0. A two-match tour of West Germany followed, with Britain losing both games to the German Olympic team; 2-1 in Düsseldorf on 14th May (Bill Slater scoring Britain's goal) and 2-0 in Nuremburg, four days later. In Düsseldorf the side was: Bennett, Cowan, Stewart (Scotland), Topp, Fuller ͨ, Saunders, Lewis, Noble, Holmes, Slater, Murray (Scotland), and in Nuremburg: Bennett, Cowan, Yenson, Hastie (Scotland), Fuller ͨ, Saunders, Murray (Scotland), Walton, Lewis, Slater, Robb. Ken Yenson had yet to play for England.
   
Season 1952-53

x

Fifteen English amateurs were selected to represent Great Britain at the Games of the XV Olympiad and played the following fixture:
XV Olympiad Games in Helsinki
- preliminary round
16 July 1952 -
Great Britain 3 Luxembourg 5 [1-0]ᴭᵀ¹⁻¹
Lahden kisapuisto, Lahti (3,656)
Robb, Slater, Lewis
Roller (3), Letsch, Gales
NL
GB: E.Bennett, Stewart, L.Stratton, L.Topp, C.Fuller (c), D.Saunders, J.Hardisty, A.Noble, J.Lewis, Bill Slater, George Robb.

Britain were overwhelmed by three quick goals at the beginning of extra time and the tournament was over for them before the opening ceremony. Hungary won the gold medals. The remainder of the squad was: B.Brown, S.Charlton, K.Yenson, Hastie, Robling, McGarry, W.Holmes, Grierson and A.Pawson.

On 25th July, Great Britain lost 4-2 to Greece in Hémeenlinna. Brown, Charlton, Noble, Pawson, Robb, Slater and Yenson all played. Ken Yenson scored Britain's equaliser as they came back from a two-goal deficit, but two late goals defeated them. They next beat a leading Finnish club side, Kuopion Palloseura, 6-0, with Slater scoring twice, and Pawson and Robb also getting on the scoresheet, and then travelled over to Oslo to face Norway on 29th July. Britain again fought back from being two down, with only three minutes left, but this time they earned a draw when Alf Noble scored twice. The tour ended with a return trip to Finland on 1st August and a 4-3 victory against a select team from Vaasa. Holmes scored twice, with Robb and Slater getting the other goals. Brown, Charlton, Noble, Pawson and Yenson were also in the side.
Practice match
- 10 November 1952 - Arsenal FC 3 England 1 [2-1]
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
(-)
Milton, Vallance, Holton
Lewis
AL
England: E.Bennett, F.Alexander, L.Stratton, L.Topp, K.Yenson, D.Saunders ͨ, V.Groves, A.Noble, J.Lewis, J.Walton, George Robb (Green).

This was a practice match in preparation for the game with the Netherlands, five days later. A forty-year-old Leslie Compton played for Arsenal.

Friendly matches
141 15 November 1952 - England 2 Netherlands 2 [1-2]
Boothferry Park, Hull
(11,000)
Noble, Lewis (pen)
van Roessel, van der Kuil
HD
England: E.Bennett, F.Alexander, L.Stratton, L.Topp, K.Yenson (D.Adams), D.Saunders ͨ, R.Stroud, A.Noble, J.Lewis, J.Walton, V.Groves.

Jim Lewis also missed a penalty in the thirteenth minute, shooting wide just before England's first equaliser against the full international Dutch team.

142 31 January 1953 - England 4 Ireland 1 [1-1]
Sincil Bank, Lincoln (9,642)
Stroud (2), Bromilow, Noble
Lunn
HW
England: E.Bennett, F.Alexander, L.Farrer, L.Topp, D.Adams, Bill Slater ͨ, V.Groves, A.Noble, R.Stroud, G.Bromilow, George Robb.

A match played in dreadful conditions with a gale-force wind throughout and snow in the second half.

143 14 February 1953 - England 3 Wales 3 [2-2]
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
(8,338)
Noble, Stroud, Lewis
Sharratt OG, W.Griffiths, Davies
HD
England: H.Sharratt, D.Young, L.Farrer, L.Topp, D.Saunders ͨ, Bill Slater, R.Stroud, A.Noble, J.Lewis, J.Walton, George Robb.
144 21 March 1953 - Scotland 0 England 1 [0-1]
Hampden Park, Glasgow
(10,000)
Lewis AW
England: H.Sharratt, D.Young, L.Farrer, L.Topp, D.Adams, D.Saunders ͨ, R.Stroud, A.Noble, J.Lewis. Bill Slater, George Robb.

England, three minutes before the end of a first half shrouded in fog, scored the goal that won them the last of the unofficial incomplete British Championships.

145 3 May 1953 - France 0 England 1 [0-1]
Stade de la Libération, Boulogne-sur-Mer (-)
Noble AW
England: E.Bennett, D.Young, R.Lunn, L.Topp, D.Adams, D.Saunders ͨ, G.McKinna, R.Stroud, A.Noble, J.Lewis, George Robb.
146 19 May 1953 - Norway 1 England 1 [1-1]
Ullevål Stadion, Oslo
(20,000)
Jevne
Saunders
AD
England: E.Bennett, D.Young, R.Lunn, L.Topp, D.Adams, D.Saunders ͨ, G.McKinna, A.Pawson, A.Noble, J.Lewis, George Robb.
England played two more games in Norway against district select teams, beating Bergen 6-1 and Stavanger 2-0.
  

Season 1953-54
British Amateur Championship
147 12 September 1953 - Ireland 2 England 1 [1-0]
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
(6,000)
McDowell, Coyle
Lewis
AL
England: E.Bennett, F.Alexander, L.Farrer, L.Topp, D.Adams, Bill Slater ͨ, A.Pawson, A.Noble, J.Lewis, R.Lunn, G.Ward.

Fay Coyle's winner, two minutes from time, gave England their first defeat on Irish soil since 1937 and gave Ireland the best possible start to the first ever official British Championship, with all six fixtures scheduled and the teams now playing for a trophy. Sixteen-year-old Gerry Ward won his one and only cap at outside left.

Friendly matches
148 19 September 1953 - England 0 South Africa 4 [0-2]
Selhurst Park
, Croydon (12,629)
Warren (2), Gibson, Claassens HL
England: E.Bennett, F.Alexander, G.McKinna, Bill Slater ͨ, D.Adams, D.Cutbush, A.Pawson, J.Walton, J.Lewis, J.Laybourne, M.Spector.

England dominated the first half, but they were outsmarted by the tourists and were well beaten in the end.

- 10 October 1953 -
England 2 Trinidad and Tobago 2 [2-1]
Plough Lane, Wimbledon (-)
Lunn, Taylor
Nunes, Seymour
HD
England: E.Bennett, F.Alexander, A.Childs, L.Topp, D.Adams ͨ, D.Cutbush, R.Stroud, G.Bromilow, D.Taylor, R.Lunn, M.Spector.

England were held by the visiting tourists from the crown colony, after losing Bert Childs to a dislocated elbow after 39 minutes. Laurie Topp shot wide from a late penalty, a missed opportunity to give victory to the ten men.

Trial match
- 10 November 1953 -
Tottenham Hotspur FC 1 England 1 [0-0]
White Hart Lane, Tottenham (9,643)
McClellan
Lewis (pen)
AD
England: E.Bennett, F.Alexander, G.McKinna, L.Topp, D.Adams, Bill Slater ͨ, J.Lewis, J.Walton, A.King, D.Cutbush, R.Sutcliffe.

Following the previous year's fixture at Arsenal, England now earned a creditable draw at Tottenham, four days before facing France.

149 14 November 1953 - England 4 France 2 [3-2]
Kenilworth Road, Luton
(-)
King, Sutcliffe, Lewis (2 (1 pen))
Mercier, Cheyssac
HW
England: E.Bennett, F.Alexander, G.McKinna, L.Topp, D.Adams, Bill Slater ͨ, J.Lewis, J.Walton, A.King, D.Cutbush, R.Sutcliffe.
- 1 January 1954 -
Northern Nomads FC
3 England 1 [2-0]
Moss Rose, Macclesfield (-)
Moncrieff (2), Bromilow
Mather
NL

George Bromilow clinched victory for the club without a home ground or a league to play in and gave the selectors a timely reminder of his ambition to add to his solitary cap from the previous year.

150 7 March 1954 - Netherlands 1 England 0 [0-0]
Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam
(58,000)
Bennaars AL
England: B.Brown, T.McGhee, L.Farrer, L.Topp, D.Adams ͨ, J.Taylor, G.Bromilow, V.Groves, J.Lewis, S.O'Connell, D.Flanagan.

The only goal came two minutes from the end when Ben Brown's fumble gave the Dutch a simple tap-in in, what was, a full international for the Netherlands.

Trial matches
- 15 March 1954 - Watford FC 2 England 1 [1-1]
Vicarage Road, Watford (7,744)
Kelly, Bowie
Lewis
AL
England: B.Brown, T.McGhee, E.Bateman, L.Topp, D.Adams ͨ, J.Taylor, R.Heckman, J.Lewis, R.Oliver, S.O'Connell, D.Flanagan (J.McMillan).

Mike Pinner was in goal for Watford from the Third Division South so that the selectors could assess him. He went on to win 52 caps. Watford's Ernie Bateman swapped sides as a late replacement for Tommy Farrer in the England team.

- 22 March 1954 -
Headington United FC 3 England 0
[2-0]
Manor Ground, Oxford (9,000)
Toulouse (2), Crombie AL
England: B.Brown, T.McGhee, L.Farrer (C.Parker), L.Topp ͨ, C.Cresswell, D.Saunders, J.Lewis, V.Groves, R.Oliver, S.O'Connell, M.Spector (R.Watson).
England were well beaten by the Southern League Champions, who had played in the fourth round of the FA Cup in the previous month, and became Oxford United, six years later. Vic Groves was carried off with an ankle injury. Don Walton guested for Headington and won himself a place in the England team to play Scotland, five days later. Mike Pinner was again the guest goalkeeper against an England team, whilst Parker was a Headington reserve.
British Amateur Championship
151 27 March 1954 - England 1 Scotland 4 [1-0]
Empire Stadium, Wembley
(27,000)
Lewis
McQuarrie (2), Omand (2 (1 pen))
HL
England: B.Brown, T.McGhee, L.Hunt, L.Topp, D.Adams ͨ, J.Taylor, J.Lewis, R.Heckman, R.Oliver, S.O'Connell, D.Walton.

England's attempts to turn the previous year's unofficial title into a share of the official one ended with a humiliating second-half thrashing at the national stadium, as Scotland (all but three of whom were Queen's Park players) recorded their biggest win against England since their first meeting, in 1926 which was also on English soil.

152 24 April 1954 - Wales 0 England 2 [0-0]
Rexville, Newport
(2,000)
Heckman, Harrison AW
England: M.Pinner, T.McGhee, L.Hunt, L.Topp, D.Adams ͨ, D.Cutbush, J.Lewis, R.Heckman, K.Harrison, J.Dutchman, D.Walton.
England avoided the wooden spoon and finished third with two points in the 1953-54 British Amateur Championship. (Northern) Ireland were champions with five points, after holding Scotland to a goalless draw at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, two weeks earlier. The scorer of England's second goal, Ken Harrison, had scored the goal that won the FA Amateur Cup for Crook Town, just two days earlier, but he did not win another England cap.

Season 1954-55
Trial Matches
- 6 September 1954 -
Tonbridge FC
1 England 3 [1-1]
Angel Ground, Tonbridge
(-)
Bennett (pen)
Oliver, Rutherford, Heckman
AW
England: M.Pinner, J.Harlow, A.Childs, R.Davison, D.Adams ͨ, D.Cutbush (H.Dodkins), J.Nottage (D.Page), V.Groves, R.Oliver, R.Heckman, S.Rutherford.
- 13 September 1954 -
Guildford City
FC 1 England 3 [1-1]
Joseph's Road, Guildford
(-)
Stewart
Lewin (3)
AW
England: M.Pinner, L.Hunt, J.Harlow (A.Childs), R.Davison, D.Adams ͨ, L.Topp, S.Rutherford, D.Lewin, R.Oliver (D.Studley), R.Heckman, A.Pawson.
England visited two Southern League teams to help the selectors decide on the side that would kick-off the season against the new British Champions. Ex-Arsenal and Scotland international, Archie Macaulay was in the Guildford side, aged 39. He had twice played against the full England team.
British Amateur Championship
153 18 September 1954 -
England 5
Northern Ireland 0 [3-0]
Selhurst Park, Croydon
(-)
Lewin, Studley (2), Heckman, Groves HW
England: M.Pinner, A.Childs, L.Hunt, L.Topp ͨ, R.Davison, H.Dodkins, V.Groves, R.Heckman, D.Studley, D.Lewin, S.Rutherford.

An experimental England team took their chances to bring the defending champions back down to earth.

Isthmian League Golden Jubilee Match
- 2 October 1954 -
Isthmian League 4
England 4 [1-3]
Brooklands Sports Ground, Romford
(-)
Mortimore (2 (1 pen)), Lucas, Julian
Groves (3), Lewin
ND
England: M.Pinner, A.Childs, L.Hunt, L.Topp ͨ, R.Davison, H.Dodkins, V.Groves, R.Heckman, D.Studley, D.Lewin, S.Rutherford.

A thrilling match to celebrate the Isthmian League's fiftieth anniversary. The league's 40-year-old goalkeeper, Stan Gerula saved a penalty from Bobby Davison when England were 2-1 up. Four ex-England internationals (Cowan, Farrer, Joseph and Mortimore) played for the league, as did Stan Prince, who went on to play in the next Olympics, whilst Charlie Mortimore won an England recall in 1957.

Friendly match
- 16 October 1954 -
South Western League 3 England 7 [1-3]
Home Park, Plymouth
(-)
Swiggs, Thomas, Rickard
Thompson, Studley (3), Sille, Nottage, Lewin
NW
England: M.Pinner, W.Fisher, L.Hunt, W.Jeffs, S.Prince, G.Lucas, J.Nottage, K.Thompson, D.Studley, D.Lewin, L.Sille.
Trial Matches
- 29 March 1955 - Brentford FC 2 England 1 [1-1]
Griffin Park, Brentford
(-)
Studley (2)
Heckman
AL
England: M.Pinner, J.Harlow, L.Hunt, L.Topp ͨ, C.Cresswell, D.Cutbush, J.Major, R.Heckman, D.Studley, D.Lewin, D.Flanagan.

Third Division South club, Brentford gave England a tough test. Studley scoring suggests that he possibly switched sides from the published line-up.

- 4 April 1955 -
West Ham United FC 1 England 0
[nk]
Boleyn Ground, Upton Park
(4,000)
Moore AL
England (according to the match programme): M.Pinner, J.Harlow, L.Hunt, L.Topp ͨ, D.Adams, D.Cutbush, J.Major, R.Heckman, D.Studley, D.Lewin, D.Flanagan.

Second Division opposition for England, five days before the trip to Glasgow.

British Amateur Championship
154 9 April 1955 - Scotland 3 England 3 [1-2]
Hampden Park, Glasgow
(6,000)
Rea, Ward, Cresswell OG
Flanagan (2), Darey
AD
England: M.Pinner, J.Harlow, L.Hunt, L.Topp ͨ, C.Cresswell, D.Cutbush, J.Major, R.Heckman, J.Darey, D.Lewin, D.Flanagan.

The six goals detracted from what was a game of poor quality, but it left England needing a win at home to Wales to lift the trophy.

155 23 April 1955 - England 3 Wales 1 [3-0]
Dean Court, Bournemouth
(9,000)
Major, Darey, Flanagan
E.Williams
HW
England: M.Pinner, J.Harlow, L.Hunt, L.Topp ͨ, C.Cresswell, D.Cutbush, J.Major, R.Heckman, J.Darey, D.Lewin, D.Flanagan.
Mike Pinner saved a penalty from Peter Rees with fifteen minutes remaining and the scoring complete. England won the 1954-55 British Amateur Championship with five points. Northern Ireland were runners-up with four points.
Friendly match
156 8 May 1955 - France 1 England 1 [0-0]
Stade de l'Armoricaine, Brest
(-)
Gianaschi
Lewis
AD
England: M.Pinner, E.Beardsley, D.Adams ͨ, J.Hardisty, C.Cresswell, H.Dodkins, A.Jeffrey, J.Lewis, J.Darey, S.O'Connell, H.Goodwin.
Vic Groves (who had now turned professional), Ron Heckman and Harry Sharratt were selected for the Football Association's tour of Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Season 1955-56
Olympic Trial
- 13 September 1955 - Arsenal FC 2 England 1 [1-0]
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
(4,420)
Flanagan, Roper
Neil
AL

England: M.Pinner, E.Beardsley, L.Farrer, J.Hardisty ͨ, C.Cresswell, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, A.Jeffrey, J.Darey, S.O'Connell, P.Neil.

Four days before beginning their defence of the British Championship, England gave a creditable performance against a strong Arsenal team. The programme stated that half-time substitutions would be made and that E.Cross, D.Lewin, S.Prince and D.Studley would be joining the action.
British Amateur Championship
157 17 September 1955 -
Northern Ireland 1 England 4
[0-0]
Cliftonville Gardens, Belfast
(8,000)
Lawther
Lewis (pen), Neil (2), Jeffrey
AW
England: M.Pinner, E.Beardsley, L.Farrer, J.Hardisty ͨ, C.Cresswell, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, A.Jeffrey, J.Darey, S.O'Connell, P.Neil.

England were virtually up against the local club side, with seven Cliftonville players in the home line-up, and it was ten minutes into the second half when the penalty finally gave England the opportunity to break them down.

Olympic Trials
- 26 September 1955 -
West Ham United FC 6 England 1
[2-1]
Boleyn Ground, Upton Park
(9,000)
Tucker (3), Lawrence, Hooper, Dick
O'Connell
AL
England: M.Pinner, E.Beardsley, L.Farrer, J.Hardisty ͨ, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, J.Darey, D.Lewin, J.Lewis (J.Fletcher), S.O'Connell, P.Neil.

Seamus O'Connell gave England the lead in the first of three games against Football League opposition, in preparation for the upcoming qualifier in Bulgaria. Brentford were originally planned to fulfil this fixture, but had to pull out due to a rearranged Third Division South game. The Second Division side eventually overwhelmed the Olympic hopefuls.

- 10 October 1955 -
Queen's Park Rangers FC 2 England 1
[0-0]
Loftus Road, Shepherd's Bush
(-)
Clark, Shepherd
Littlejohn
AL
England: H.Sharratt (S.Homan), E.Beardsley, L.Farrer (E.Cross), J.Hardisty ͨ, S.Prince (D.Stoker), H.Dodkins, R.Littlejohn, A.Jeffrey, A.Biggs (J.Fletcher), S.O'Connell, P.Neil.
- 17 October 1955 -
Luton Town FC 2 England 1
[0-0]
Kenilworth Road, Luton
(9,000)
McEwan, Adam
Lewis
AL
England: M.Pinner, E.Beardsley, L.Farrer, J.Hardisty ͨ, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, R.Littlejohn, A.Jeffrey, J.Lewis, S.O'Connell, P.Neil.

Five days before the trip to Sofia, the same team held a First Division side on their own ground until the last ten minutes.

x

The England team represented Great Britain in qualification for the XVI Olympiad in Melbourne and played the following fixture:
Olympic Qualification Match
  first leg
22 October 1955 - Bulgaria 2 Great Britain 0 [1-0]
Stadion Vasil Levski, Sofia (45,000)
Stefanov, Yanev AL
GB: M.Pinner, E.Beardsley, L.Farrer, J.Hardisty ͨ, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, R.Littlejohn, A.Jeffrey, J.Lewis, S.O'Connell, P.Neil.

A damage-limitation exercise, as a stout defensive display kept the state-supported home team down to two goals and gave the British team something to aim for in the second leg, seven months later.

 
Birmingham and District Works Amateur Football Association Golden Jubilee Match
- 26 October 1955 -
Birmingham & District Works 1 England 2 [nk]
Wednesbury Oak Road, Tipton
(-)
NK AW

Over 250 factories made up this thriving league as it celebrated its fiftieth anniversary.

Trial Match
- 7 November 1955 -
Crystal Palace FC 3 England 0
[0-0]
Selhurst Park, Croydon
(-)
Belcher, Cooper (2) AL
England: M.Pinner, E.Beardsley, L.Farrer, J.Hardisty ͨ, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, R.Littlejohn, A.Jeffrey, J.Abthorpe, D.Lewin, P.Neil.
Once again, England faced Football League opposition, five days before an international.
Friendly match
158 12 November 1955 - England 2 West Germany 3 [2-1]
White Hart Lane, Tottenham
(11,600)
Lewin, Biggs
Zeitler, Grandt, Zimmermann
HL
England: M.Pinner, E.Beardsley, L.Farrer, J.Hardisty ͨ, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, R.Littlejohn, A.Jeffrey, A.Biggs, D.Lewin, P.Neil.

England were two goals up in the first half, but the Germans came back to deservedly win the first meeting between the countries.

British Amateur Championship
159 11 February 1956 - Wales 2 England 1 [1-1]
Vetch Field, Swansea
(-)
Davies, Rees
Biggs
AL
England: H.Sharratt, D.Adams, L.Farrer ͨ, T.Robinson, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, F.McKenna, J.Coates, A.Biggs, J.Fletcher, C.Twissell.

Despite taking the lead, England's first defeat in Wales struck a blow to their hopes of retaining the British Championship.

Trial match
- 19 March 1956 -
Queen's Park Rangers FC 2 England
4 [nk]
Loftus Road, Shepherd's Bush
(-)
Cameron, Clark
Oliver, Bromilow (2), Twissell
AW
England: M.Pinner, F.Alexander, L.Farrer ͨ, J.Hardisty (T.Robinson), S.Prince (D.Stoker), H.Dodkins, D.Miller, J.Coates (L.Champelovier), R.Oliver, G.Bromilow, C.Twissell.

A second visit of the season to the Third Division South club this time brought them a convincing victory and put them in good form for the big Wembley clash, five days later.

British Amateur Championship
160 24 March 1956 - England 4 Scotland 2 [2-1]
Empire Stadium, Wembley (10,000)
McKenna (2), Bromilow, Oliver
Devine, Reid
HW
England: M.Pinner, F.Alexander, L.Farrer ͨ, T.Robinson, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, F.McKenna, J.Coates, R.Oliver, G.Bromilow, C.Twissell.
The Scots struck first, but England finally won at Wembley for the first time and jointly won the 1955-56 British Amateur Championship with Northern Ireland, with four points each. With a better goal average, England claimed a second year as champions.
Trial match
- 10 April 1956 - Brentford FC 4 England 0 [0-0]
Griffin Park, Brentford
(-)
Bristow (2), Newcombe, Peplow AL
England (according to the match programme): M.Pinner, D.Adams, L.Farrer ͨ, D.Stoker, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, C.Twissell, J.Wallis, A.Biggs, G.Bromilow, P.Bates.

Yet another trip to a Football League ground in London, but a humbling experience against the Third Division South team.

Friendly match
161 21 April 1956 - England 3 France 1 [0-1]
Champion Hill, Dulwich
(15,000)
Laybourne (3)
Mouchel
HW
England: M.Pinner, F.Alexander, L.Farrer ͨ, L.Topp, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, F.McKenna, M.Stewart, J.Laybourne, G.Bromilow, C.Twissell.

England fought back well to win the game, despite losing Henry Dodkins to a cut head, just after the equaliser.

x

The England team represented Great Britain in qualification for the XVI Olympiad in Melbourne and played the following fixture:
Olympic Qualification Match
- second leg
12 May 1956 - Great Britain 3 Bulgaria 3 [1-2]
3-5 on aggregate

Empire Stadium, Wembley
(28,000)
Hardisty (2), Lewis (pen)
Milanov Stoyanov, Prince OG, Dimitrov Nikolov
HD
GB: M.Pinner, F.Alexander, L.Farrer ͨ, L.Topp, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, J.Hardisty, J.Laybourne, G.Bromilow, C.Twissell.
The Olympic squad had played a practice match against West Ham United FC, three days earlier, at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, Forest Gate, London, the home of Clapton FC. West Ham were asked to play in a 'continental style' to prepare the team for the visit of Bulgaria. It was a valuable exercise as they put on a brave performance in the Olympic qualifier at the end of an exhausting season of thirteen fixtures, but the skills of their opponents were just too much in the end. However, just three weeks later, Britain would be back in the competition, due to a spate of withdrawals and they were suddenly planning their trip to Australia, after all.

Season 1956-57
Friendly matches
162 7 August 1956 - Iceland 2 England 3 [1-1]
Melavöllurinn, Reykjavík
(7,500)
Þórðarson, Jónsson
Bates, Laybourne, Lewis
AW
England: M.Pinner, T.Robinson, D.Marshall, H.Dodkins ͨ, D.Stoker, L.Topp, C.Twissell, P.Bates, J.Laybourne, D.Lewin, J.Lewis.

This was classed as a full international for Iceland and they led after ten minutes of the second half, before England fought back to win. Some sources claim that Charlie Twissell scored England's first goal.

- 9 August 1956 -
Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur 0
England 3
[0-1]
Melavöllurinn, Reykjavík
(-)
Lewin, Bromilow, Laybourne AW

KR were the defending champions in the Úrvalsdeild.

- 14 August 1956 -
Íþróttabandalag Akraness 0 England 3 [0-2]
Melavöllurinn, Reykjavík
(5,000)
Lewis, Fryer (2) AW

England ended their Icelandic visit by beating ÍA, the previous year's runners-up in the Úrvalsdeild.

x

The England team played the following fixture as Great Britain in preparation for the upcoming Olympiad:
Pre-Olympic Friendly match
- 2 September 1956 -
København
5 Great Britain 1 [4-0]
Idrætspark, København (11,500)
Jacobsen (3), Nielsen, Lundberg
Lewin
AL
GB: H.Sharratt, D.Marshall, T.Robinson, L.Topp, S.Prince, H.Dodkins ͨ, J.Lewis, D.Lewin, J.Laybourne, R.Fryer, C.Twissell.

The home team was selected from all of the players at Copenhagen clubs. A similar side had represented the Danish capital in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in the previous season.

British Amateur Championship
163 15 September 1956 -
England 5 Northern Ireland 2
[2-0]
Hayes Lane, Bromley
(-)
Lewis, Dodkins, Coates (2), Laybourne
Hasty, McGarry
HW
England: H.Sharratt, D.Marshall, L.Farrer ͨ, L.Topp, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, J.Coates, J.Laybourne, G.Bromilow, C.Twissell.
 

x

The England team played the following fixtures as Great Britain in preparation for the upcoming Olympiad:
Pre-Olympic Friendly matches
- 26 September 1956 -
Great Britain 1 Uganda 2
[1-0]
Lynn Road, Ilford (-)
Lewis
P
arma,
Seruwagi
HL
GB: M.Pinner, D.Adams, L.Farrer ͨ, L.Topp, D.Stoker, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, J.Hardisty, J.Laybourne, P.Walsh, C.Twissell.

The barefooted African tourists caused a huge shock by defeating the England amateur team on their own patch. England took the lead in the first minute, but they were afraid to tackle their opponents on a dry pitch, ideally suited to the Ugandans, who would be affiliated to FIFA, three years later.

- 8 October 1956 -
Luton Town FC 2 Great Britain 3 [0-0]
Kenilworth Road, Luton
(-)
Gregory (2)
Laybourne (3)
AW
GB: M.Pinner, D.Adams, L.Farrer ͨ, T.Robinson, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, J.Hardisty, J.Laybourne, G.Bromilow, C.Twissell.

A much better performance from the England team, who recovered from two goals down, away to a strong First Division side, to score a late winner.

- 13 October 1956 -
Isthmian & Athenian Leagues 1
Great Britain 3
 
[0-2]
Plough Lane, Wimbledon (-)
Trott
Coates, Bromilow (2)
NW
GB: M.Pinner, D.Adams, L.Farrer ͨ, L.Topp, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, J.Hardisty, G.Bromilow, J.Coates, C.Twissell.

Five of the leagues' side would go on to play for England, with two having previously been capped.

- 22 October 1956 -
Newcastle United FC 5 Great Britain 0 [3-0]
St. James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
(8,860)
Curry (5) AL
GB: H.Sharratt, D.Adams, T.Robinson, L.Topp (J.Coates), D.Stoker, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, J.Hardisty ͨ, J.Laybourne, D.Lewin (G.Bromilow), C.Twissell.

The England defence was ripped apart by the accuracy of Bill Curry, who later played for the England Under-23 side. Also in the Newcastle side were George Eastham, who went on to win full international honours for England, and Scottish goalkeeper Ronnie Simpson, who had played in the 1948 Olympics for GB.

- 27 October 1956 -
Combined Universities 1 Great Britain 4
[1-4]
Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames (-)
Davies
Lewis (2), Hardisty, Dodkins
NW
GB: M.Pinner, D.Adams, L.Farrer ͨ, L.Topp, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, J.Hardisty, G.Bromilow, J.Coates, D.Lewin.
- 5 November 1956 -
Arsenal FC 3 Great Britain 2
[2-2]
Arsenal Stadium, Highbury
(4,154)
Tapscott (2), Holton
Lewis, Wills OG
AL
GB: M.Pinner, T.Robinson, L.Farrer ͨ (D.Stoker), L.Topp, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, J.Hardisty, J.Laybourne, G.Bromilow, C.Twissell.

An encouraging display from the Olympic side, who took a two-goal lead in their last game before departing for Melbourne.

- 19 November 1956 -
Australia 1 Great Britain 3
[0-2]
Campbell Reserve, City of Coburg (-)
Beattie
Hardisty, Lewis, Lewin
AW
GB: H.Sharratt, D.Adams (D.Stoker), L.Farrer (T.Robinson), L.Topp, S.Prince, H.Dodkins (J.Coates), J.Lewis, J.Hardisty ͨ, J.Laybourne, D.Lewin, C.Twissell.

To keep expenses down, the FA only took sixteen players to Melbourne for the Olympics, but having already lost one of their two goalkeepers (Mike Pinner) to a cut hand, Dexter Adams was carried off with a torn cartilage in his left knee only ten minutes into this warm-up fixture and was flown home. Australia were able to make nine substitutions, but Britain were left with virtually no options but to field their remaining fit players.

 

x

The England team represented Great Britain at the Games of the XVI Olympiad in Melbourne and played the following fixtures:
XVI Olympiad Games in Melbourne
- first round
26 November 1956 -
Great Britain 9 Thailand 0
[4-0]
Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
(3,693)
Twissell (2), Lewis (pen), Laybourne (3),
Bromilow (2)
, Topp
NW
GB: H.Sharratt, D.Stoker, L.Farrer, L.Topp, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, J.Hardisty ͨ, J.Laybourne, G.Bromilow, C.Twissell.

Bob Hardisty picked up a groin strain and took no further part in the tournament.

- quarter-final
30 November 1956 -
Great Britain 1 Bulgaria 6
[1-3]
Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
(6,748)
Lewis
Dimitrov Nikolov, Kolev (2), Milanov Stoyanov (3)
NL
GB: H.Sharratt, D.Stoker, L.Farrer ͨ, L.Topp, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, D.Lewin, J.Laybourne, G.Bromilow, C.Twissell.
Bulgaria knocked the England team out of the competition for the second time. USSR won the gold medals. The remainder of the squad was: M.Pinner, D.Adams, T.Robinson and J.Coates.

x

The England team played the following fixtures as Great Britain on a brief tour of south-east Asia on the way back from Melbourne:
Post-Olympic Friendly matches
- 10 December 1956 -
Singapore
0 Great Britain 4 [0-2]
Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang (6,500)
Hardisty, Lewis (2), Lewin AW
GB: M.Pinner, T.Robinson, L.Farrer, L.Topp, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, J.Hardisty ͨ, J.Laybourne, D.Lewin, C.Twissell.

Mike Pinner, having recovered from his hand injury, became the sixteenth and last member of the squad to make an appearance.

- 13 December 1956 - Malaya 2 Great Britain 6 [2-5]
Princes Road Stadium
, Kuala Lumpur (9,000)
Wai Kin, Siang Hock
Coates (3), Hardisty (2), Bromilow
AW

GB: M.Pinner, D.Stokes, T.Robinson, L.Topp, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, J.Lewis, J.Hardisty ͨ, J.Laybourne, J.Coates, G.Bromilow.

- 16 December 1956 - Burma 0 Great Britain 2 [0-1]
Bogyoke Aung San Stadium, Rangoon (20,000)
Bromilow, Coates AW

It took three days for the squad to get home. A staggering eight stops took them to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, because London was fog-bound and they then had to catch an overnight train to Euston, finally arriving on the morning of 20th December.

British Amateur Championship
164 16 February 1957 - England 5 Wales 0 [0-0]
London Road, Peterborough
(11,500)
Thompson (2), Champelovier (3) HW
England: M.Pinner, T.Robinson, L.Farrer ͨ, J.Mortimore, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, L.Worley, L.Champelovier, P.Thompson, J.Fletcher, G.Hamm.

England's second five-goal salvo of the championship was enough to secure them their third successive title, three weeks later, when Wales drew with Scotland at Newtown.

165 30 March 1957 - Scotland 0 England 0 [0-0]
Hampden Park, Glasgow
(12,000)
  AD
England: M.Pinner, T.Robinson, L.Farrer ͨ, J.Mortimore, S.Prince, H.Dodkins, L.Worley, L.Champelovier, P.Thompson, J.Fletcher, G.Hamm.
Scotland's Willie Omand went off injured after eighteen minutes leaving them with ten men for the rest of the game. Mike Pinner saved Andy McEwan's penalty on the hour mark. England won the 1956-57 British Amateur Championship with five points. Wales were runners-up with three points.
Friendly Tour
166 12 May 1957 - France 3 England 1 [2-0]
Stade de Bourtzwiller, Mulhouse
(20,000)
Peyroche, Mouchel (2 (1 pen))
C.Mortimore
AL
England: M.Pinner, J.Harlow, L.Farrer ͨ, J.Mortimore, C.Cresswell, H.Dodkins, C.Mortimore, L.Champelovier, P.Thompson, J.Fletcher, G.Hamm.
- 16 May 1957 - Switzerland B 2 England 3 [2-1]
Parc des sports de la Charrière, La Chaux-de-Fonds (5,000)
Robbiani (2)
C.Mortimore (2), Thursby
AW

England: S.Homan, T.Robinson, E.Cross, R.Thursby, C.Cresswell, H.Dodkins ͨ, Warren Bradley, J.Mortimore, C.Mortimore, G.Hamm, R.Stratton (P.Thompson).

167 19 May 1957 - West Germany 1 England 1 [nk-1]
Stegermatt, Offenburg
(-)
Habig
Stratton
AD
England: M.Pinner, T.Robinson, E.Cross, R.Thursby, C.Cresswell, H.Dodkins ͨ, Warren Bradley, J.Mortimore, C.Mortimore, P.Thompson, R.Stratton.

Season 1957-58
Friendly match
168 15 September 1957 - Finland 4 England 3 [2-2]
Olympiastadion, Helsinki
(7,975)
Rajala, Lehtovirta (2), Sundelin
Lewis (2), Russell
AL
England: M.Pinner, T.Robinson, E.Cross, R.Thursby, C.Cresswell, H.Dodkins ͨ, Warren Bradley, W.Russell, C.Mortimore, G.Hamm, J.Lewis.

England were two goals up after only fourteen minutes, but they were eventually beaten by the firepower of Finland's full international team. The newspapers reported that debutant, Billy Russell had scored twice.

British Amateur Championship
169 28 September 1957 -
Northern Ireland 0 England 3
[0-2]
The Oval, Belfast
(-)
Hamm, Mortimore, Lewis AW
England: M.Pinner, T.Robinson, J.Dougall, R.Thursby, C.Cresswell, H.Dodkins ͨ, Warren Bradley, W.Russell, C.Mortimore, G.Hamm, J.Lewis.
Friendly match
170 12 October 1957 - England 2 West Germany 3 [2-0]
Lynn Road, Ilford
(-)
Hamm, Bradley
Herrmann, Wohlgemuth, Matischak
HL
England: M.Pinner, D.Adams, T.Robinson, R.Thursby, C.Cresswell, H.Dodkins ͨ, Warren Bradley, W.Russell, C.Mortimore, G.Hamm, J.Lewis.

A very young German team repeated the feat of the last visit, two years earlier, by coming back from two goals behind to win. Making his only amateur international appearance, at left back, was Karl-Heinz Schnellinger, who played in the 1966 World Cup Final, at Wembley.

British Amateur Championship
171 9 November 1957 - Wales 2 England 5 [2-3]
Farrar Road, Bangor
(-)
Davies, Roberts
Lewis, Hamm, Russell (2), Mortimore
AW
England: M.Pinner, J.Dougall, T.Robinson, R.Thursby, C.Cresswell, H.Dodkins ͨ, Warren Bradley, W.Russell, C.Mortimore, G.Hamm, J.Lewis.
Trial matches
- 17 March 1958 -
Crystal Palace FC 1 England 0 [0-0]
Selhurst Park, Croydon
(3,407)
Harrison AL
England: M.Pinner, J.Dougall, J.Valentine, M.Greenwood (R.Vowels), S.Prince, H.Dodkins ͨ, Warren Bradley, W.Robinson, D.Baker, P.Wilson, A.Peel.

The first of two trial matches to help the selectors choose their line-up for the game with Scotland. Mike Greenwood lasted only eight minutes against the Third Division South team before leaving the field with a cut mouth. His time would come, however.

- 24 March 1958 -
Tottenham Hotspur FC 2 England 3
[1-1]
White Hart Lane, Tottenham (-)
Robb, Clayton
Mortimore, Robinson, Hamm
AW
England: M.Pinner, J.Dougall, J.Valentine, R.Thursby, S.Prince (R.Vowels), H.Dodkins ͨ, Warren Bradley, W.Robinson, C.Mortimore, G.Hamm, A.Peel (R.Littlejohn).
A terrific win for the England team against the club that finished third in the First Division. Ex-England international, George Robb, who had also played for the amateur team at international level, scored Tottenham's first goal.
British Amateur Championship
172 29 March 1958 - England 2 Scotland 3 [2-2]
Empire Stadium, Wembley
(5,825)
Hamm, Bradley
Orr (3)
HL
England: M.Pinner, D.Clarke, J.Valentine, R.Thursby, S.Prince, H.Dodkins ͨ, Warren Bradley, W.Robinson, C.Mortimore, G.Hamm, R.Littlejohn.
England jointly won the 1957-58 British Amateur Championship with Scotland and Northern Ireland, with four points each. A point would have given England the title outright, but Doug Orr's hat-trick created a three-way tie for the first time, though England had the best goal average and it was their fourth successive championship. The poor attendance brought to an end the use of Wembley for this fixture.
Friendly match
173 26 April 1958 - England 1 France 1 [1-1]
Elland Road, Leeds (5,907)
Bradley
Cristobal (pen)
HD
England: M.Pinner, J.Dougall, J.Valentine, R.Vowels, S.Prince, H.Dodkins ͨ, Warren Bradley, D.Bumpstead, C.Mortimore, G.Hamm, A.Peel.

Henry Dodkins, Jack Dougall, Geoff Hamm, Ron Heckman, Roy Littlejohn, Charlie Mortimore, Pat Neil, Mike Pinner, Billy Robinson and Derek Saunders (who had turned professional, five years earlier) were selected for the Football Association's tour of Nigeria and Ghana.


Season 1958-59
British Amateur Championship
174 27 September 1958 -
England 6 Northern Ireland 2 [1-2]
Dean Court, Bournemouth
(6,749)
Stratton, Mortimore, Hamm, Edwards (3)
Shiels, Trainor
HW
England: M.Pinner, J.Dougall, J.Valentine, D.Evans, A.D'Arcy, H.Dodkins ͨ, Warren Bradley, G.Hamm, C.Mortimore, D.Edwards, R.Stratton.

Despite going two goals behind, England recovered to reach 23 goals in their last five fixtures against the Irish.

Friendly matches
175 11 October 1958 - England 3 Finland 2 [0-0]
Champion Hill, Dulwich
(7,500)
Hamm, Bradley, Bates
Ekman, Kumpulampi
HW
England: M.Pinner, J.Dougall, J.Valentine, M.Greenwood, A.D'Arcy, H.Dodkins ͨ, Warren Bradley, G.Hamm, P.Bates, D.Edwards, P.Wilson.

After clawing back England's two-goal lead with six minutes remaining, Finland's full international team then lost it in the last minute, thanks to Paul Bates' winner.

176 25 October 1958 - England 2 South Africa 2 [0-0]
Loakes Park, High Wycombe (8,000)
Mortimore (2)
Salton, Warren
HD
England: M.Pinner, J.Dougall, J.Valentine, M.Greenwood, A.D'Arcy, H.Dodkins ͨ, Warren Bradley, G.Hamm, C.Mortimore, P.Hammond, P.Wilson.
British Amateur Championship
177 8 November 1958 - England 0 Wales 0 [0-0]
Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury
(6,000)
  HD
England: M.Pinner, T.Stacey, D.Wright, M.Greenwood, A.D'Arcy, H.Dodkins ͨ, Warren Bradley, D.D'Arcy, C.Mortimore, G.Hamm, P.Wilson.
178 14 March 1959 - Scotland 1 England 1 [1-0]
Palmerston Park, Dumfries
(2,000)
McKechnie
Tracey
AD
England: M.Pinner, T.Stacey, J.Harding, R.Thursby, A.D'Arcy, H.Dodkins ͨ, L.Worley, M.Tracey, J.Lewis, G.Hamm, P.Neil.
England jointly won the 1958-59 British Amateur Championship with Scotland, with four points each. It was a fifth successive title for England and the second in a row for Scotland. England, once again, had the better goal average.
Friendly matches
179 5 April 1959 - France 1 England 0 [1-0]
Stade du Grand Basque, Bayonne
(-)
Giamarchi AL
England: M.Pinner, T.Stacey, J.Harding, R.Thursby, A.D'Arcy, H.Dodkins ͨ, C.Mortimore, J.Ward, J.Lewis, G.Hamm, J.McMillan.
180 20 May 1959 - Netherlands 1 England 3 [0-0]
Zuiderparkstadion, Den Haag
(4,500)
de Kreek
Hamm, Brown, Lewis
(pen)
AW
England: M.Pinner, T.Stacey, D.Gardener, R.Sleap, A.D'Arcy, M.Walby, J.Lewis ͨ, M.Tracey, R.Brown, G.Hamm, P.Neil.
Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Football Golden Jubilee Match
181 24 May 1959 - Luxembourg 3 England 1 [2-0]
Stade Municipal, Stad Lëtzebuerg
(3,500)
Letsch (2), Cirelli
Brown
AL
England: Tony Waiters, T.Stacey, C.Barker, R.Sleap, A.D'Arcy, A.Whittall, J.Lewis ͨ, R.Trimby, R.Brown, G.Hamm, P.Neil.
Friendly match
182 27 May 1959 - West Germany 2 England 0 [2-0]
Leimbachstadion, Siegen
(25,000)
Stein (2) AL
  England: M.Pinner, T.Stacey, D.Gardener, R.Sleap, A.D'Arcy, M.Walby, J.Lewis ͨ, M.Tracey, R.Brown, G.Hamm, P.Neil.
 

Just twelve months later, Erwin Stein scored twice for Eintracht Frankfurt against the great Real Madrid side in the European Cup Final at Hampden Park, Glasgow.

British Amateur Championship
183 26 September 1959 -
Northern Ireland 1 England 1 [0-1]
Cliftonville Gardens, Belfast
(-)
Gillespie
Harding
AD
England: M.Pinner, D.Gardener, T.Thompson, R.Sleap, A.D'Arcy ͨ, D.Wright, L.Worley, R.Trimby, R.Brown, A.Harding, P.Neil.
Brown, D'Arcy, Gardener, Pinner and Ward were selected (with Sleap as reserve) for Great Britain's first Olympic trial match against the touring British Caribbean team at Portman Road, Ipswich on 10th October. Alf D'Arcy was made captain and Britain won 7-2, with Bobby Brown scoring the first two goals and Richie Ward getting the seventh. Nine days later, Sleap joined the side that lost 5-0 at Burnley in a second Olympic trial.
British Amateur Championship
184 7 November 1959 - Wales 0 England 2 [0-0]
Farrar Road, Bangor
(3,722)
Lewis, Neil AW
England: M.Pinner, D.Gardener, T.Thompson, R.Sleap, A.D'Arcy ͨ, M.Greenwood, J.Lewis, J.Ward, R.Brown, R.Trimby, P.Neil.
Brown, D'Arcy ͨ, Gardener, Neil (as a late replacement for Lewis, who broke his leg, two days before the game), Pinner, Sleap and Ward were selected for Great Britain's Olympic trial match at Chelsea, five days before their first qualifier. Greenwood, Thompson, and two uncapped players (John Ashworth and goalkeeper, Malcolm Shaw) were selected as reserves. It was played on 16th November and Chelsea won 4-1. Greenwood and Thompson came on as substitutes for the second half and Pat Neil scored Britain's late consolation goal.

x

Eight English amateurs were selected to represent Great Britain in qualification for the XVII Olympiad and played the following fixture:
Olympic Qualification Match
- group five
21 November 1959 -
Great Britain 3 Republic of Ireland 2 [2-0]
Goldstone Ground, Hove
(7,800)
Hasty (3)
A
herne, Rice
HW

GB: M.Pinner, D.Gardener, T.Thompson, R.Sleap, A.D'Arcy ͨ, M.Greenwood, R.Brown, J.Ward, Hasty, Roberts, Devine.

Hasty gave Britain the lead with the first of his hat-trick, before their opponents had even touched the ball, but they had to rely on a late winner, after the Republic had pulled back from a two-goal deficit. Pat Neil was an unused reserve.

Great Britain played three more Olympic trials in the new year. Bobby Brown, Greenwood ͨ, John Harding, Neil and Thompson, plus the uncapped Laurie Brown, Ron Fogg and Bobby Kellard, all started the 4-0 defeat at Arsenal on 25th January. Sleap came on for the injured Harding after half an hour and another debutant, Hugh Lindsay, was a half-time substitute. Two weeks later, on 8th February, they lost 5-2 at West Ham. Bobby Brown, Laurie Brown, Greenwood ͨ, Hamm, Thompson, Ward and the uncapped pair of Arnold Coates and goalkeeper, Brian Wakefield, all started the game. Bobby Brown scored both of the trialists' goals, including the opener, before going off injured, to be replaced by Neil. A further two weeks took the Olympic hopefuls to Northampton on 22nd February, where they were two goals up after fifteen minutes at the British Timken Sports Ground, before being pegged back in the second half to a 2-2 draw. Ward, a Northampton player, and Tony Harding scored the goals and Britain lined up as; Pinner, Thompson, Gardener, Greenwood ͨ, L.Brown, Venables, Coates, Ward, A.Harding, Barr (Northern Ireland), Lewis. A 16-year-old Terry Venables made an impressive start to his amateur international career.
Friendly match
185 5 March 1960 - England 1 West Germany 1 [0-1]
Champion Hill, Dulwich
(9,000)
R.Brown
Walenciak

HD
England: M.Pinner, D.Gardener, T.Thompson, M.Greenwood ͨ, L.Brown, Terry Venables, A.Coates, J.Ward, R.Brown, A.Harding, J.Lewis.

England's equaliser came just two minutes from the end. At the age of 17, Terry Venables won his only amateur international cap, but went on to become the only man to win schoolboy, youth, amateur, under-23 and full international honours for England, before completing the set by coaching the full international side to the Euro '96 semi-finals, when another 1-1 draw with a visiting German side proved to be his downfall.

x

Ten English amateurs were selected to represent Great Britain in qualification for the XVII Olympiad and played the following fixture:
Olympic Qualification Match
- group five
13 March 1960 -
Republic of Ireland 1 Great Britain 3 [0-0]
Dalymount Park, Dublin
(19,000)
McGrath
Coates, R.Brown, Harding
AW

GB: M.Pinner, T.Thompson, Holt, R.Sleap, L.Brown, M.Greenwood ͨ, A.Coates, J.Ward, R.Brown, A.Harding, J.Lewis.

Five changes from the meeting, three months earlier, produced an all-English team (but for Scottish full-back, Holt) that ended the challenge of their near-neighbours. Neil and Wakefield were amongst the reserves.

British Amateur Championship
186 26 March 1960 - England 2 Scotland 1 [0-1]
Roots Hall, Southend-on-Sea
(10,800)
Coates, R.Brown
Church
HW
England: M.Pinner, D.Gardener, T.Thompson, R.Sleap, L.Brown, M.Greenwood ͨ, A.Coates, H.Lindsay, R.Brown, L.G.Brown, J.Lewis.
On a busy day of sporting entertainment, this fixture kicked off at 6 p.m. England's victory guaranteed them a sixth successive title and it was won outright when Northern Ireland lost to Scotland, at Hampden, a month later. So England won the 1959-60 British Amateur Championship with five points. Scotland and Northern Ireland were joint runners-up with three points each.

x

Nine English amateurs were selected to represent Great Britain in qualification for the XVII Olympiad and played the following fixtures:
Olympic Qualification Matches
- group five
2 April 1960 - Netherlands 1 Great Britain 5 [0-1]
Oosterenkstadion, Zwolle
(9,000)
Hainje
Lewis (3 (1 pen)), Lindsay, R.Brown
AW

GB: M.Pinner, T.Thompson, Holt, R.Sleap, L.Brown, M.Greenwood ͨ, A.Coates, H.Lindsay, R.Brown, Barr, J.Lewis.

A convincing display from the British side took them through to the Olympic tournament, with a game to spare. Les Brown and Wakefield were amongst the reserves.

13 April 1960 - Great Britain 2 Netherlands 2 [1-0]
White Hart Lane, Tottenham
(3,950)
R.Brown, Lewis
de Kleermaeker, Bouwman
HD

GB: M.Pinner, T.Thompson, Holt, R.Sleap, L.Brown, A.D'Arcy ͨ, A.Coates, H.Lindsay, R.Brown, Barr, J.Lewis.

For the third time that season, the British side let slip a two-goal lead. Les Brown was again an unused reserve. Great Britain won Group Five with seven points. The Republic of Ireland were runners-up with three points.

Britain's Olympians travelled to Italy, three months ahead of the Games, on 14th May, to meet the Italian Olympic team in Brescia. Laurie Brown, Bobby Brown, Coates, Greenwood ͨ, Lindsay, Pinner, Thompson and the uncapped Terry Howard all started the game. Howard scored a British equaliser, but they were eventually overwhelmed by the heat and their younger opponents (who were all under 23 years old), and went down 5-1.
Season 1960-61
The British Olympic squad began the season by beating Third Division, Watford, 2-1 at RAF Uxbridge on 13th August. Laurie Brown (who scored the last-minute winner from a penalty), Les Brown, Bobby Brown, Coates, Greenwood ͨ, Howard, Lindsay, Pinner, Sleap and Wakefield all played at least half of the game.

x

Twelve English amateurs were selected to represent Great Britain at the Games of the XVII Olympiad and played the following fixtures:
XVII Olympiad Games in Rome
- group two
26 August 1960 - Great Britain 3 Brazil 4 [1-1]
Stadio di Ardenza, Livorno
(13,590)
R.Brown (2), Lewis
Gérson, China (2), Wanderley
NL

GB: M.Pinner, T.Thompson, Holt, McKinven, L.Brown ͨ, R.Sleap, J.Lewis, R.Brown, Hasty, H.Lindsay, Devine.

With Britain leading 2-1 after 56 minutes, England full-back, Tommy Thompson was stretchered off with a broken right leg. The under-23 Brazilian side capitalised on their numerical advantage and took the points.

29 August 1960 - Great Britain 2 Italy 2 [1-1]
Stadio Flaminio, Roma
(19,431)
R.Brown, Hasty
Rossano (2)
AD

GB: M.Pinner, Neil, Holt, McKinven, L.Brown ͨ, R.Sleap, J.Lewis, R.Brown, Hasty, H.Lindsay, Devine.

A brave performance from the Brits in front of a vociferous Roman crowd, against another under-23 side, but the draw extinguished their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

1 September 1960 -
Great Britain
3 Formosa
2 [1-0]
Stadio Olimpico Comunale, Grosseto
(779)
R.Brown (2), Hasty
Mok (2)
NW

GB: M.Pinner, M.Greenwood, Holt, McKinven, L.Brown ͨ, Forde, J.Lewis, R.Brown, Hasty, H.Lindsay, T.Howard.

Britain made hard work of beating their Taiwanese opponents on, what was to be, the last ever appearance by a British amateur side at the Olympic Games. Great Britain finished 3rd with three points in Group Two. Italy qualified for the semi-finals with five points. Yugoslavia won the gold medals. The remainder of the squad was: B.Wakefield, L.G.Brown, A.Coates and Barr.


British Amateur Championship
187 24 September 1960 -
England 3 Northern Ireland 2
 
[1-1]
Loakes Park, High Wycombe
(7,000)
L.G.Brown, Lewis (pen), R.Brown
Quail, Pinner OG
HW
England: M.Pinner, D.Gardener, R.Merritt, M.Greenwood, L.Brown ͨ, R.Sleap, J.Lewis, L.G.Brown, R.Brown, H.Lindsay, T.Howard.

A frantic finale, as Northern Ireland led for the second time with eleven minutes left. Three minutes after Lewis had equalised from the spot, he hit the post from a second penalty, before Bobby Brown struck the winner with two minutes remaining.

188 5 November 1960 - England 6 Wales 1 [5-1]
Goldstone Ground, Hove (5,649)
Lewis, Brown, Lindsay (2), Fryer, Howard
Pierce
HW
England: M.Pinner, J.Martin, M.Barker, R.Thursby, R.Law, R.Sleap, J.Lewis ͨ, R.Fryer, R.H.Brown, H.Lindsay, T.Howard.

The Welsh captain, James, was carried off with a broken leg, ten minutes before the interval, and England took full advantage.

Friendly match
189 25 February 1961 -
Republic of Ireland 1 England 1
 
[0-0]
Dalymount Park, Dublin
(-)
McCarthy
B.Martin
AD
England: M.Pinner, J.Martin, M.Barker, R.Thursby, R.Law, R.Sleap, J.Lewis ͨ, B.Martin, R.Brown, H.Lindsay, P.Neil.
British Amateur Championship
190 18 March 1961 - Scotland 2 England 2 [0-1]
Hampden Park, Glasgow
(1,476)
Omand, Cromar (pen)
Brown (2)
AD
England: M.Pinner, J.Martin, M.Barker, R.Thursby, R.Law, R.Sleap, J.Lewis ͨ, B.Martin, R.Brown, H.Lindsay, P.Neil.
England won the 1960-61 British Amateur Championship with five points, their seventh successive title. Scotland and Wales were joint runners-up with three points each. A sparse crowd in a vast stadium saw most of the excitement condensed into the last two minutes, when Brown appeared to have secured England's first victory at Hampden since 1953, only for Bert Cromar, with the last kick of the game, to rescue a point for the Scots, but not enough for a share of the title.
Friendly matches
191 29 April 1961 - England 2 France 0 [0-0]
Champion Hill, Dulwich
(6,431)
Brown (2) HW
England: M.Pinner, J.Martin, J.Harris, C.Townsend, R.Law, R.Fryer, J.Lewis ͨ, R.Jackson, R.Brown, H.Lindsay, B.Harvey.

England completed two seasons unbeaten, with two goals in the last eight minutes securing victory. The game had threatened to turn ugly after ten minutes of the second half, when the French goalkeeper, Jean Wettstein broke his leg in a collision with Brown, and had to be substituted.

Laurie Brown (who was now a professional), Bobby Brown, Mike Greenwood, Jim Lewis, Hugh Lindsay and Mike Pinner were selected for the Football Association's tour of the Far East, New Zealand and San Francisco. Laurie Brown played in all ten games in the Far East and New Zealand, scoring twice. Bobby Brown scored eight goals in just three games before the squad departed for the USA. Greenwood only played in one of the first ten games, in New Zealand. Lewis scored six goals in the last five games prior to San Francisco. Lindsay only played four games in the entire tour, but scored six times. Pinner kept goal in at least three games.
 

Season 1961-62
192 16 September 1961 - England 1 Iceland 0 [1-0]
Loakes Park, High Wycombe
(3,688)
Brown HW
England: M.Pinner, J.Martin, J.Harris, A.Mendum, R.Law ͨ, C.Townsend, R.Brown, W.Broomfield, R.Jackson, H.Lindsay, T.Howard.

This was classed as a full international for Iceland.

British Amateur Championship
193 30 September 1961 -
Northern Ireland 0
England 3 [0-2]
The Showgrounds, Coleraine
(9,014)
Agar, Hatton OG, L.Brown AW
England: M.Pinner, J.Martin, J.Harris, G.Holden, R.Law ͨ, C.Townsend, L.Brown, R.Agar, R.Brown, H.Lindsay, J.Lewis.
194 18 November 1961 - Wales 2 England 2 [2-1]
Ynys Park, Ton Pentre
(5,500)
K.Jones (2)
Broomfield, Ardrey
AD
England: M.Pinner, J.Martin, J.Harris, R.Ardrey, R.Law ͨ, C.Townsend, L.Brown, R.Agar, T.Lawrence, H.Lindsay, W.Broomfield.

Despite scoring twice to give Wales a two-goal lead after only eighteen minutes, Jones somehow also managed to have two penalty-kicks saved by Pinner, the first of which he scored from the rebound. England fought back however and extended their unbeaten record to twelve games, stretching back to 1959.

Trial match
- 19 February 1962 - Watford 0 England 0 [0-0]
Vicarage Road, Watford
(2,943)
  AD
England: M.Pinner, J.Martin, T.Sidey (J.Robertson), R.Ardrey, R.Law ͨ, C.Townsend, L.Brown, R.Agar, M.Pragg (D.Randall), H.Lindsay, W.Broomfield.

England were due to play a second trial match at Millwall, the following week, but it was cancelled.

195 16 March 1962 - England 3 Scotland 4 [2-2]
Selhurst Park, Croydon
(6,600)
Lawrence (2), Vernon OG
Whitelaw, Cromar (pen), Hopper (2)
HL
England: M.Pinner, J.Martin, J.Harris, R.Ardrey, R.Law ͨ, C.Townsend, L.Brown, R.Agar, T.Lawrence, H.Lindsay, W.Broomfield.
The title decider was switched to a Friday night for the first time and a lively encounter saw Tommy Lawrence scoring twice in 26 minutes, before the visitors came back to inflict England's first defeat for nearly two years. England were joint runners-up in the 1961-62 British Amateur Championship with Northern Ireland, with three points each. Scotland were champions with five points, their only outright title success.
Friendly matches
196 8 April 1962 - France 3 England 0 [0-0]
Stade de l'Armoricaine, Brest
(-)
Barret, Stamm (pen), Destrumelle AL
England: M.Pinner, J.Martin, J.Robertson, R.Ardrey, R.Law ͨ, C.Townsend, A.Coates, W.Broomfield, T.Lawrence, H.Lindsay, L.Brown (M.Pragg).

Three minutes into the second half, England had a golden opportunity to take the lead, but Billy Broomfield's spot-kick was saved by Joseph Magiera.

197 12 May 1962 - Italy 1 England 0 [0-0]
Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca, Ascoli Piceno
(10,000)
Neri AL
England: M.Pinner, J.Martin, W.Creasey, R.Ardrey, R.Law ͨ, C.Townsend, D.Woods, P.Garbutt, D.Randall, R.Agar, L.Brown.
198 16 May 1962 - Netherlands 0 England 0 [0-0]
Sportpark Veerallee, Zwolle
(-)
  AD

Just before half-time, Mike Pinner saved a penalty from Kreisch.

England: M.Pinner, J.Martin, F.Clark, R.Ardrey, R.Law ͨ, C.Townsend, D.Woods, L.Brown, M.Pragg, R.Agar, W.Broomfield.
- 20 May 1962 -
British Army of the Rhine 0 England 0 [0-0]
Jahnstadion, Rheydt, West Germany
(-)
   AD

England drew a blank for the fourth game in a row against the players on National Service duty in Germany. Rheydt is now part of Mönchengladbach.

Many thanks to John Treleven for his help and support in completing these pages and to Ted Bennett's son, Edward, who provided team line-ups for the 1950 tour.
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