Full

B

C

Amateur

Under 23

Under 21

Under 20

Under 19

Youth

Under 17

Under 16

Under 15

1907-40

Women

1947-59

1960-69

1970-79

1980-89

1990-98

With thanks to Gavin Willacy's 'england schoolboys international players' records 1907-99' (English Schools' Football Association 1999), which was an invaluable reference for this research.

Six successive years of schoolboy internationals were lost to World War II, though it was extremely likely that the talented few that left school between 1944 and 1946 were given opportunities in the new England youth team between 1947 and 1950. The English Schools' Trophy resumed in 1946, but it took another year before the internationals returned.

Season 1946-47
Class of 1947 (born after 31 August 1932 - 14 or under on 31 August 1947): Football League debuts: Arthur Evans (Bury) 1950 (Division 2) Brian Jackson (Leyton Orient) 1950 (Division 3 South) Bryan Brennan (Stockport County) 1951 (Division 3 North) Reserve goalkeeper, Peter Heathcote debuted for Southend United in the Third Division (South) in 1951 Billy Watkin (Gateshead) 1952 (Division 3 North) Tony Marchi (Tottenham Hotspur) 1953 (Division 1) - England B captain (1957) John Flood (Southampton) 1953 (Division 2) Gren Jones (West Bromwich Albion) 1954 (Division 1) England Youth internationals: Gren Jones (1947) aged 14 in Amateur Youth Championship, Arthur Evans - aged 16 and Tony Marchi - aged 17 (1950)
x		International Selection Committee
Victory Shield
72	3 May 1947 - Wales 0 England 3 [0-3] Vetch Field, Swansea (24,000)	Tippett, Marchi (2)	AW
	England: R.Simms, P.Reevesᶜ, L.Vickerton, R.Griffiths, R.Gray, J.Waring, B.Jackson, A.Marchi, C.Tippett, B.Brennan, D.Green. Reserves: P.Heathcote, P.Talbot, K.Ekin, Parr.
	In the first post-war schoolboy international, in front of a record Welsh crowd, Terry Medwin, who went on to score the goal that put Wales into the World Cup quarter-finals in 1958, picked up an injury early on and could not subsequently make an impression on the game. Wales lost 2-1 to Ireland at the Coleraine Showgrounds, two weeks later.
73	10 May 1947 - England 1 Scotland 1 [1-1] Goodison Park, Liverpool (32,229)	Marchi Thomas	HD
	England: R.Simms, P.Reeves, L.Vickertonᶜ, R.Griffiths, R.Gray, J.Waring, C.Hunter, A.Marchi, C.Tippett, B.Brennan, T.Watkin. Reserves: A.Jones, J.Flood.
	Receipts of over £3,000 helped to fund England's two games in Ireland at the end of the month, whilst Scotland beat Wales, 4-0 at Somerset Park, Ayr, two weeks later, to edge ahead of England on goal average.
Friendly match
74	29 May 1947 - Ireland 8 England 3 [5-2] Dalymount Park, Dublin (tbc)	Cummins (4), Finglas, Duffy (2), Quinn (pen) Tippett (2), Marchi	AL
	England: A.Evans, P.Talbot, L.Vickertonᶜ, R.Griffiths, R.Gray, S.Peacock, G.Jones, A.Marchi, C.Tippett, B.Brennan, T.Watkin. Reserves: R.Simms, P.Reeves, J.Flood.
	England visited Dublin on the eve of their final Victory Shield match in an effort to encourage schoolboy football in the Republic of Ireland. There was no governing body for schools' football in the country, as only Gaelic football was allowed to be played in schools, and there was no state-funded secondary education, only private secondary schools, so their players were sourced from Dublin youth clubs. Having suffered four defeats in five meetings with their neighbours since the war, the latest of which by 6-0 to the Belfast-based team at Larne, two months earlier, they now called themselves Ireland, just as the Irish Schools' FA's team did. They were distinguished from them in the press as 'Éire', the team was selected by the Football Association of Ireland, and they had been training together for several weeks, coached by Charlie Turner, who had just led Shelbourne to the League of Ireland title. Against England, they proceeded to annihilate their opponents with deadly finishing, and then reversed their previous beating at the hands of their northern counterparts, by thrashing them 7-0 at Dalymount Park, two weeks later. This is when questions began to be asked about the validity of the Dublin team. It was discovered that their ages were not checked beforehand and that the FA of Ireland had not imposed an age limit. So it was that captain, Albie Murphy and four-goal scorer, George Cummins were actually 16 years of age, two years older than their opponents. It is likely that they were not the only ones.
Victory Shield
75	30 May 1947 - Ireland 2 England 0 [1-0] Solitude, Belfast (8,000)	Blanchflower (pen), Bradford	AL
	England: R.Simms, P.Reeves, L.Vickertonᶜ, K.Ekin, R.Gray, J.Waring, G.Jones, A.Marchi, B.Brennan, J.McCarthy, J.Flood.
	Ekin was listed in the ESFA records as Elkin. Evans, Griffiths and Watkin were originally named in the side, but it was decided to use all of the 16-strong squad in the two games, the second of which was brought forward by a day to the Friday night, so as not to clash with any Dublin and Belfast Inter-City Cup ties on the Saturday. The five changes were not enough to prevent defeats on consecutive evenings, as a tired England team failed to beat the boys from Northern Ireland for the first time. Ireland were now top and guaranteed to finish above England for the first time. England were also up against two future Manchester United stars, in captain, Jackie Blanchflower, whose career was ended by the Munich air crash in 1958, and goalkeeper, Harry Gregg, who also survived the crash, pulling Blanchflower from the wreckage, but went on to help Northern Ireland into the World Cup quarter-finals, four months later. Eight days after this game, needing only a point to take the Victory Shield to Belfast for the first time, Scotland beat Ireland, 3-2 at Dens Park, Dundee, to snatch the title from them.

The class of 1947 found that they had to stay on for another year at school, due to the minimum leaving age being raised from 14 to 15, and this meant that they potentially had another year of international football. This was possibly the point when they began to use the same size of goal posts used in senior football (eight feet tall).

Season 1947-48
Class of 1948 (born after 31 August 1932 - 15 or under on 31 August 1948): Football League debuts: Brian Nicholas (Queen's Park Rangers) 1950 (Division 2) - born in Wales Mark Jones (Manchester United) 1950 (Division 1) Arthur Evans (Bury) 1950 (Division 2) Cliff Birkett (Manchester United) 1950 (Division 1) Arthur Kaye (Barnsley) 1951 (Division 3 North) - Football League XI (1957) Albert Quixall (Sheffield Wednesday) 1951 (Division 2) - Young England XI v. England (1955), Football League XI (1956) Bryan Brennan (Stockport County) 1951 (Division 3 North) Norman Deeley (Wolverhampton Wanderers) 1951 (Division 1) Ray Barnard (Middlesbrough) 1951 (Division 1) Colin Longden (Rotherham United) 1952 (Division 2) Frank Austin (Coventry City) 1953 (Division 3 South) Dennis Viollet (Manchester United) 1953 (Division 1) - Young England XI v. England (1954), Football League XI (1959) Andy Malcolm (West Ham United) 1953 (Division 2) - Football League XI (1958) Roy Hart (Brentford) 1955 (Division 3 South) Ray Spencer (Darlington) 1958 (Division 3 North) Full internationals: Albert Quixall (1953), Norman Deeley (1959) and Dennis Viollet (1960) Under-23 internationals: Arthur Kaye (1955) and Albert Quixall (1956) Youth internationals: Andy Malcolm (1950) aged 17
76	10 April 1948 - England 2 Wales 1 [1-0] Highfield Road, Coventry (25,199)	Birkett (2) Harris	HW
	England: K.Atherton, R.Barnard, M.Jones, A.Malcolm, C.Nicholas, Norman Deeley, C.Birkett, Albert Quixall, B.Brennanᶜ, R.Spencer, D.Green. Reserves: R.Hart, R.Matthews.
	Wales began the season, seven days earlier, by picking up their first post-war points in a 3-0 win against Ireland at Barry. Norman Deeley, who was four feet, ten inches tall in 1948, scored twice in the 1960 FA Cup Final as Wolves won the trophy at Wembley.
77	24 April 1948 - Scotland 1 England 0 [0-0] Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen (28,000)	Kerr	AL
	England: K.Atherton, R.Barnard, R.Hart, A.Malcolmᶜ, C.Nicholas, M.Jones, A.Kaye, C.Birkett, J.Twiss, Albert Quixall, D.Green. Reserves: J.Ford, J.Austin.
	Quixall was a late replacement from the reserve list for Brennan. Scotland's defence withstood the English challenge in front of the biggest ever crowd for a schoolboy international in Scotland, and then drew 1-1 with Wales, a week later, at Ninian Park, Cardiff.
Friendly match
78	8 May 1948 - England 0 Ireland 1 [0-1] Griffin Park, Brentford (tbc)	Boggan	HL
	England: J.Ford, R.Barnard, R.Gray, M.Jones, C.Nicholas, J.Austin, C.Birkett, A.Malcolmᶜ, B.Brennan, P.Armstrong, D.Green.
	Gray replaced Roy Hart, who had an injured ankle. Another fine performance, and a clean sheet, for the team from the Football Association of Ireland on their first trip to England, and coached again by Charlie Turner over a six-week period, though they did include 16-year-old players again. Three weeks later, they defeated the Northern Irish boys, 3-1 at Derry.
Victory Shield
79	15 May 1948 - England 4 Ireland 0 [3-0] Old Trafford, Manchester (40,000)	Viollet (2), Levitt, Birkett	HW
	England: A.Evans, R.Barnard, C.Nicholas, A.Malcolmᶜ, M.Jones, R.Gray, C.Birkett, J.Osbourne, F.Levitt, Dennis Viollet, C.Longden. Reserves: R.Matthews, J.Austin, Yeoman.
	A new record attendance for a schoolboy international which had a reduced capacity in a bomb-damaged stadium that Manchester United would not be able to use again for another year. Though it was a convincing win to erase the memory of the previous year's defeat in Belfast, the Victory Shield was out of England's hands, due to their defeat at Aberdeen. Seven days later, Scotland travelled to Solitude, Belfast, needing to win to retain the title. They conceded first, but went on to beat Ireland 4-1. A record 15 England Schools' internationals went on to make their league debuts over the coming years, emphasizing how influential these games had become. Sadly, Mark Jones died in the Munich air crash at the tragically young age of 24.

Season 1948-49
Class of 1949 (born after 31 August 1933 - 15 or under on 31 August 1949): * Under-14 Class of 1949 (born after 31 August 1934 - 14 or under on 31 August 1949) Football League debuts: Jeff Whitefoot (Manchester United) 1950 (Division 1) - aged 16 Cliff Birkett (Manchester United) 1950 (Division 1) Peter Vickers (Leeds United) 1951 (Division 2) Reserve, Ron Smillie debuted for Barnsley in the second division in 1952 Ron Archer (Barnsley) 1952 (Division 2) Stan Anderson (Sunderland) 1952 (Division 1) - Young England XI v. England (1954), England B international (1957) *Johnny Haynes (Fulham) 1952 (Division 1) - England B international and Football League XI (1954), Young England XI v. England (1955) Reserve, Joe Maloney debuted for Liverpool in the first division in 1953 *Gerry Crickson (Queen's Park Rangers) 1953 (Division 3 South) Dennis Viollet (Manchester United) 1953 (Division 1) - Young England XI v. England (1954), Football League XI (1959) Alan Bassham (Brentford) 1953 (Division 2) *Eddie Clamp (Wolverhampton Wanderers) 1954 (Division 1) - Football League XI and Young England XI v. England (1958) Ken Ames (Portsmouth) 1954 (Division 1) Ray Young (Derby County) 1954 (Division 2) Tosh Chamberlain (Fulham) 1954 (Division 2) - scored in the first minute Micky Lydon (Leeds United) 1955 (Division 2) Jimmy Jackson (Aldershot) 1955 (Division 3 South) *Fred Cooper (West Ham United) 1956 (Division 2) after Southern Floodlight Cup debut Full internationals: *Johnny Haynes (1954) aged 19, *Eddie Clamp (1958), Dennis Viollet (1960) and Stan Anderson (1962) Under-23 internationals: Jeff Whitefoot (1954), and *Johnny Haynes and Stan Anderson (1955) all aged 20 Youth internationals: Tosh Chamberlain (1950) in Amateur Youth Championship, Jeff Whitefoot (1950), both aged 16, *Gerry Crickson, *Malcolm Spencer and Peter Vickers (1951) all aged 16 in Amateur Youth Championship, *Michael Charlton (1952) in Amateur Youth Championship and *Johnny Haynes (1952) aged 17
80	9 April 1949 - Wales 4 England 3 [2-1] Vetch Field, Swansea (19,000)	Jones (3), Davies Chamberlain, Lydon, Birkett	AL
	England: P.Taylor, J.Eden, J.Whitefoot, Stan Anderson, J.Jackson, G.Mitchell, C.Birkett, Dennis Violletᶜ, F.Levitt, G.Lydon, T.Chamberlain. Reserves: R.Matthews, A.Bassham, E.Stevens, Johnny Haynes.
	England took the lead after six minutes, but their run of 17 successive wins against the Welsh in the Victory Shield, came to an end and Wales took both points for the first time since 1924. In the Welsh team was Len Allchurch, younger brother of Ivor. Both were in the 1958 World Cup squad.
Under-14 Friendly match
81	20 April 1949 - Ireland 3 England 4 [1-2] Grosvenor Park, Belfast (8,000)	Mairs, Clugston, Johnston Tracey (2), Charlton (2)	AW
		Stewart missed a penalty for Ireland after two minutes, but Mairs scored from the rebound
	England: A.Evans, F.Cooper, M.Spencerᶜ, B.Twaites, G.Crickson, Eddie Clamp, B.Price, M.Charlton, A.Tracey, Johnny Haynes, R.Gibbins.
	The schools' infrastructure in Northern Ireland could not accommodate an extra year for pupils up to the age of 15, so reluctantly, they were, once more, excluded from the Victory Shield competition. It was agreed, however, that the other three nations would continue to meet them annually using only players who were no more than 14 during that school year i.e. the same age rules that had applied up until the previous year. Caps were not to be awarded for these games. Ireland made a substitution in the first half due to injury and then came from behind to lead 3-2 before they were sunk by two Michael Charlton goals in the last five minutes. Johnny Haynes, who was to captain England at the 1962 World Cup, made an impressive debut. Ireland went on to beat Scotland's under-14s, 3-2 at Kilmarnock, ten days later.
Friendly match
82	23 April 1949 - England 7 Ireland 0 [3-0] Boleyn Ground, Upton Park (12,000)	Viollet, Ames (2), Chamberlain (3), Vickers	HW
		Dwyer missed a first-half penalty for Ireland
	England: R.Matthews, A.Bassham, J.Whitefoot, E.Stevens, J.Jackson, R.Archer, C.Birkett, P.Vickers, K.Ames, Dennis Violletᶜ, T.Chamberlain.
	After two previous defeats, England finally found a way to beat the boys selected by the Football Association of Ireland, who did not receive the same level of coaching as their predecessors leading up to the game. Tosh Chamberlain scored a ten-minute hat-trick in the second half.
Victory Shield
83	14 May 1949 - England 4 Scotland 0 [2-0] St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne (43,700)	Hume OG, Chamberlain (2), Viollet	HW
	England: R.Matthews, A.Bassham, J.Whitefoot, Stan Anderson, J.Jackson, G.Young, C.Birkett, P.Vickers, K.Ames, Dennis Violletᶜ, T.Chamberlain.
	Scotland and Wales had drawn 1-1 at Easter Road, Edinburgh, seven days earlier, ending England's chances of a first post-war title, whilst Scotland had to win at Newcastle to complete a hat-trick of Victory Shields on goal average from Wales. The attendance record was broken yet again, with receipts of £3,900, as England handed Wales their first ever Victory Shield. Scotland's goalkeeper, Hume, who had accidentally carried the ball over his goalline from Birkett's cross, for the first goal, was replaced at half-time because of an injury. Birkett was making a record seventh appearance for England schoolboys, but picked up an ankle injury early on and was limping throughout the game, including when he created the first goal. Young replaced Archer, who was injured a few days before the game. On the same day, the two Irish schools' teams met in Dublin and contested a goalless draw.
Friendly match
84	21 May 1949 - England 3 Wales 2 [0-1] Maine Road, Manchester (52,500)	Ames, Vickers, Birkett Dance, Griffiths	HW
	England: R.Matthews, A.Bassham, J.Whitefoot, Stan Anderson, J.Jackson, R.Archer, C.Birkett, P.Vickers, K.Ames, Dennis Violletᶜ, T.Chamberlain. Reserves: Cully, R.Smith, J.Maloney, R.Smillie, Johnny Haynes.
	Cashing in on the huge crowds now watching schoolboy internationals, including the previous year's game in Manchester, a second game with the new Victory Shield champions was arranged for the first time since 1932, and it was the first schoolboy international to be made all-ticket as the ground swelled to a new record high attendance for any schools' fixture. They were rewarded with an exciting game, with Wales leading twice, before Cliff Birkett, on his record eighth and last appearance, scored the winner, eight minutes from the end. An incredible 18 players (including from the new under-14s' team and reserves) found their way into the Football League over the coming years, with four becoming full internationals. Wales's under-14s lost 3-0 to Ireland in Belfast, seven days later, a result that would have given the Victory Shield to England, on goal average from Ireland, but their games were now only classed as friendlies.

From the 1949-50 season, two outfield substitutions, due to injury only, were allowed in schoolboy internationals up to the 38th minute. A substitute goalkeeper could be introduced at any point during the match because of injury.

Season 1949-50
Class of 1950 (born after 31 August 1934 - 15 or under on 31 August 1950): * Under-14 Class of 1950 (born after 31 August 1935 - 14 or under on 31 August 1950) Football League debuts: Reserve, Frank Blunstone debuted for Crewe Alexandra in the Third Division (North) in 1951, Football League XI and Young England XI v. England (1955) Ray Parry (Bolton Wanderers) 1951 (Division 1) - aged 15, Football League XI (1957), Young England XI v. England (1959) Ron Ward (Chesterfield) 1952 (Division 3 North) *David Pegg (Manchester United) 1952 (Division 1) - England B international (1956) Johnny Haynes (Fulham) 1952 (Division 1) - England B international and Football League XI (1954), Young England XI v. England (1955) *Alec Farrall (Everton) 1953 (Division 2) George Brown (Chesterfield) 1953 (Division 3 North) *Duncan Edwards (Manchester United) 1953 (Division 1) - England B international, Young England XI v. England, and Football League XI (1954) Eddie Clamp (Wolverhampton Wanderers) 1954 (Division 1) - Football League XI and Young England XI v. England (1958) Jimmy Scott (Burnley) 1955 (Division 1) Reserve, Colin Booth debuted for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the first division in 1955 Fred Cooper (West Ham United) 1956 (Division 2) after Southern Floodlight Cup debut Ronnie Cope (Manchester United) 1956 (Division 1) Full internationals: Johnny Haynes (1954) aged 19, Frank Blunstone (1954) aged 20, *Duncan Edwards (1955) aged 18, *David Pegg (1957), Eddie Clamp (1958) and Ray Parry (1959) Under-23 internationals: Frank Blunstone (1954) aged 19, *Duncan Edwards (1954) aged 18, Johnny Haynes (1955) aged 20, *David Pegg (1956) aged 20, Colin Booth (1956) aged 21 and Ray Parry (1957) aged 21 Youth internationals: Frank Blunstone and Malcolm Spencer (1951) both aged 16 in Amateur Youth Championship, Michael Charlton (1952) in Amateur Youth Championship, Johnny Haynes (1952) aged 17, Ray Parry (1952) aged 16 and *Duncan Edwards (1954)
Victory Shield
85	11 April 1950 - England 6 Wales 1 [3-1] Hillsborough, Sheffield (40,500)	Brown (2), Parry, Charlton (2), Haynes C.Jones	HW
	England: R.Ward, F.Cooper, M.Spencerᶜ, B.Twaites, R.Cope, Eddie Clamp, M.Charlton, Johnny Haynes, G.Brown, Ray Parry, J.Scott. (unused: P.Norman, R.Brown, C.Booth, Frank Blunstone).
	The season began on the day after Easter Monday, and England made up for the previous year's defeat at Swansea with the players, no doubt, all anxious to make sure that they didn't miss out on their trip to Wembley, four days later. Wales' scorer was Cliff Jones, who was a major part of Tottenham Hotspur's double-winning side of 1960-61.
Friendly match
86	15 April 1950 - England 8 Scotland 2 [1-1] Empire Stadium, Wembley (53,038)	Clamp, Brown, Haynes (2 (1 pen)), Scott (3), Parry McDonald (2 (1 pen))	HW
	England: R.Ward, F.Cooper, M.Spencerᶜ, B.Twaites, R.Cope, Eddie Clamp, M.Charlton, Johnny Haynes, G.Brown, Ray Parry, J.Scott. (unused: P.Norman, R.Brown, C.Booth, Frank Blunstone).
	Whilst England were ending the World Cup qualifying hopes of Scotland at Hampden Park, Glasgow, those in the London area who were lucky enough to own a television set were treated to a ten-goal extravaganza as the schoolboys appeared live on TV for the first time. The teams were presented to the Prime Minister, Clement Atlee before the game. As expected, the attendance was a new schoolboys' record and the whole experience was deemed a huge success. England were unchanged, whilst Scotland had to make use of the new substitutes ruling as two were needed for injuries in the first half. One of the replacements was Dave Mackay, who won the double with Tottenham Hotspur in 1960-61, was voted joint Footballer of the Year in 1969 and then managed Derby County to the title in 1975.
Under-14 Friendly match
87	6 May 1950 - England 5 Ireland 2 [3-1] Boundary Park, Oldham (18,000)	Alexander OG, Farrall, Collier, Parry, Edwards Jenkins, Hill (pen)	HW
	England: A.Silver, J.Woodward, J.Middlemas, P.Martin, M.Underwood, W.Oldham, H.Collier, A.Farrall, Duncan Edwards, Ray Parryᶜ, David Pegg. (unused: Shackleton, Rankin, G.Jones, Barnes).
	At the age of 13, Duncan Edwards put the seal on his first international appearance with the last goal. Even at that age, it was obvious that he was going to be some player. Ireland's season had begun with a 4-3 defeat to Wales' Under-14s, two months earlier, at Swansea, and they were to lose by a single goal to Scotland, at Cliftonville, three weeks later.
Victory Shield
88	20 May 1950 - Scotland 1 England 3 [0-2] Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow (8,500)	Gray Charlton, G.Brown, Parry	AW
	England: R.Ward, R.Brown, F.Cooper, B.Twaitesᶜ, R.Cope, Eddie Clamp, M.Charlton, Johnny Haynes, G.Brown, Ray Parry, J.Scott. (unused: P.Norman, C.Booth, Frank Blunstone).
	With Scotland beating Wales, 2-1 at Ninian Park, Cardiff, two weeks earlier, they needed to gain swift revenge for their Wembley thrashing, by beating England, who only needed a draw to win the Victory Shield for the first time since 1939. It was the visitors who were again in command. Robert Brown had been a reserve, but became a late replacement for captain, Malcolm Spencer, who was ill.
Friendly match
89	29 May 1950 - Ireland 2 England 3 [2-2] Dalymount Park, Dublin (7,500)	McNally, Kelly (pen) Haynes, Scott, Brown	AW
	England: P.Norman, F.Cooper, M.Spencerᶜ, B.Twaites, R.Cope, Eddie Clamp, M.Charlton, Johnny Haynes, G.Brown, Ray Parry, J.Scott. (unused: R.Ward, R.Brown, C.Booth, Frank Blunstone).
	An extremely successful season for the English Schools' FA ended with another victory, on Spring Bank Holiday Monday. Six schoolboy players selected by the ESFA in that season would end up as full internationals. The Irish team was now selected by the Schoolboys' Football Association of Ireland, rather than the FAI, and they went on to play their northern neighbours twice over the next four weeks, beating them 7-1, at Celtic Park, Belfast, before a 1-1 draw at Dundalk. They would not meet again, however, for another 16 years.

Season 1950-51
Class of 1951 (born after 31 August 1935 - 15 or under on 31 August 1951): * Under-14 Class of 1951 (born after 31 August 1936 - 14 or under on 31 August 1951) Football League debuts: Ray Parry (Bolton Wanderers) 1951 (Division 1) - aged 15, Football League XI (1957), Young England XI v. England (1959) David Pegg (Manchester United) 1952 (Division 1) - England B international (1956) Alec Farrall (Everton) 1953 (Division 2) *Gerry Ward (Arsenal) 1953 (Division 1) - aged 16, England amateur international (1953) aged 16 Duncan Edwards (Manchester United) 1953 (Division 1) - England B international, Young England XI v. England, and Football League XI (1954) *Les Dodds (Sunderland) 1954 (Division 1) Mike Smith (Derby County) 1957 (Division 2) *Jack Keeley (Everton) 1957 (Division 1) Ken Heyes (Preston North End) 1960 (Division 1) Full internationals: Duncan Edwards (1955) aged 18, David Pegg (1957) and Ray Parry (1959) Under-23 internationals: Duncan Edwards (1954) aged 18, David Pegg (1956) aged 20 and Ray Parry (1957) aged 21 Youth internationals: Ray Parry (1952) aged 16, Ken Heyes (1953) aged 17, *Gerry Ward (1953) aged 16, *Jack Keeley (1954) aged 17 and Duncan Edwards (1954)
Victory Shield
90	26 March 1951 - Wales 2 England 2 [2-1] Somerton Park, Newport (40,500)	Burder, P.Williams Perrin, Parry	AD
	England: A.Silver, K.Heyes, R.Cowling, M.Conroy, M.Smith, Duncan Edwards, N.Smith, A.Farrall, J.Perrin, Ray Parryᶜ, David Pegg. (unused: G.Mendham, P.Barnes).
	The earliest start to England's season since 1922 took place on Easter Monday. They were two goals down after only seven minutes on a quagmire of a pitch, but fought their way back into it to secure a point.
Friendly match
91	7 April 1951 - England 3 Wales 0 [0-0] Empire Stadium, Wembley (53,398)	Parry, Farrall (pen), Barnes	HW
	England: A.Silver, K.Heyes, M.Smith, M.Conroy, R.May, Duncan Edwards, J.Perrin, A.Farrall, P.Barnes, Ray Parryᶜ, David Pegg. (unused: G.Mendham, J.Rankin, W.Oldham, D.Edwards).
	Twelve days after their first meeting, Wales were unchanged on their first visit to Wembley, but England brought in two new players and made two other positional changes which made the difference. Captain, Ray Parry scored in the stadium for the second year in succession. The attendance record was broken again, by 300, with thousands of schoolchildren in the stands, and several more watching on television, as a Wembley schoolboy fixture became an annual event. Two weeks later, Wales drew 1-1 with Scotland at Stark's Park, Kirkcaldy and followed that by rescuing a 3-3 draw against Ireland's Under-14s in Belfast with two late goals, before a 1-1 draw in Cardiff in their first meeting with the FA of Ireland's team.
Victory Shield
92	5 May 1951 - England 2 Scotland 2 [0-1] Recreation Ground, Chesterfield (27,600)	N.Smith, Farrall Gow, Livingstone	HD
		Farrall shot wide from a 23rd-minute penalty
	England: A.Silver, K.Heyes, M.Smith, M.Conroy, R.May, Duncan Edwards, N.Smith, A.Farrall, J.Perrin, Ray Parryᶜ, David Pegg. (unused: G.Mendham, J.Rankin, D.Edwards, P.Barnes).
	A classic encounter played on a muddy pitch with pouring rain throughout, England twice came from behind to salvage a point which meant that after three drawn games, they, Scotland and Wales all shared the Victory Shield for the first time. Thanks to Ken Foster for correcting the attendance figure.
Under-14 Friendly match
93	11 May 1951 - Ireland 1 England 7 [1-4] Grosvenor Park, Belfast (10,000)	Chapman (pen) Bannister (2), Darbin (2), Keeley, Ward, Morton	AW
	England: L.Dodds, A.Davidson, E.Carnell, F.Bolton, K.Storey, Duncan Edwardsᶜ, A.Morton, J.Keeley, N.Darbin, D.Bannister, G.Ward. (unused: B.Alexander, Rhodes, G.Ward, Townsend).
	With Ireland playing France as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations at Windsor Park on the Saturday afternoon, this game was played on the Friday evening. Scotland beat Ireland, 5-2 at Love Street, Paisley, eight days later.
Friendly matches
94	14 May 1951 - England 4 Ireland 8 [3-2] Anfield, Liverpool (23,000)	Parry (2), Farrall, Gregory Murphy, McFarland (2), Shields, Dunne (4)	HL
	England: A.Silver, K.Heyes, M.Smith, M.Conroy, R.May, D.Edwards, N.Smith, A.Farrall, J.Gregory, Ray Parryᶜ, David Pegg. (unused: G.Mendham, J.Rankin, P.Barnes, W.Oldham).
	An extraordinary twelve-goal spectacular on Spring Bank Holiday Monday where the result seems unlikely until you find that four-goal scorer, Jimmy Dunne was 16 years old, repeating the feat of George Cummins, four years earlier. Despite its new governing body, it again seems likely that Ireland selected a number of over-age players, including Billy Whelan, who died in the Munich air disaster in February 1958, two months before his 23rd birthday. Ray Parry made a record ninth appearance, including his under-14 cap from the previous year. In a strange coincidence, Duncan Edwards was replaced in the team by Derek Edwards.

Season 1951-52
Class of 1952 (born after 31 August 1936 - 15 or under on 31 August 1952): * Under-14 Class of 1952 (born after 31 August 1937 - 14 or under on 31 August 1952) Football League debuts: Gerry Ward (Arsenal) 1953 (Division 1) - aged 16, England amateur international (1953) aged 16 Duncan Edwards (Manchester United) 1953 (Division 1) - England B international, Young England XI v. England, and Football League XI (1954) Tony Barton (Fulham) 1954 (Division 2) Alan Woods (Tottenham Hotspur) 1954 (Division 1) Les Dodds (Sunderland) 1954 (Division 1) *Pat Neil (Portsmouth) 1955 (Division 1) - under-18 schoolboy international and England amateur international (1955) aged 17 *Wilf McGuinness (Manchester United) 1955 (Division 1) - Football League XI (1958), Young England XI v. England (1959) *Tony Hawksworth (Manchester United) 1956 (Division 1) Norman Sykes (Bristol Rovers) 1956 (Division 2) Gordon Clayton (Manchester United) 1957 (Division 1) Tommy Asher and *Cyril Parry (Notts County) 1957 (Division 2) Jack Keeley (Everton) 1957 (Division 1) *Roy Goulden (Arsenal) 1959 (Division 1) Ken Jones (Sunderland) 1960 (Division 2) Full internationals: Duncan Edwards (1955) aged 18 and *Wilf McGuinness (1958) aged 20 Under-23 internationals: Duncan Edwards (1954) aged 18 and *Wilf McGuinness (1958) aged 20 Youth internationals: Norman Sykes and Gerry Ward (1953), both aged 16, Tony Barton and Jack Keeley (1954), both aged 17, *Wilf McGuinness (1954) aged 16, Gordon Clayton and Duncan Edwards (1954), Alan Woods (1954) aged 17 and *Tony Hawksworth (1955) aged 17
95	5 April 1952 - England 1 Scotland 0 [1-0] Empire Stadium, Wembley (80,312)	Bolton	HW
	England: L.Dodds, K.Storey, K.Jones, F.Bolton, R.Yeatman, Duncan Edwardsᶜ, A.Morton, N.Sykes, D.Bannister, T.Asher, G.Ward. (unused: G.Clayton, A.Goss, A.Woods, A.Barton.
	Though the capacity was limited because of the numbers of schoolchildren arriving from all over the country, the schoolboys' crowd record was smashed out of sight as a sold-out all-ticket Wembley welcomed back the Scots for a much closer game than their previous visit. England were beating Scotland in the full international at Hampden at the same time, but once again, television viewers were watching the Wembley action, and now also in Scotland, though it would only be the second half that was shown live. Receipts were £14,702.
Victory Shield
96	26 April 1952 - Scotland 1 England 4 [0-1] Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen (25,000)	Brand Bolton (2), Keeley (2)	AW
	England: L.Dodds, K.Storey, K.Jones, F.Bolton, R.Yeatman, Duncan Edwardsᶜ, A.Morton, A.Barton, J.Keeley, D.Bannister, G.Ward. (unused: G.Clayton, A.Goss, A.Woods, T.Asher).
	A more convincing victory as opposed to the Wembley result could be partly attributed to Scotland losing a striker, Jimmy Kessock to a broken shinbone with half an hour remaining. Outfield substitutes were only allowed in the first half. Thirty years later, Tony Barton became manager of Aston Villa, and remarkably led them to a European Cup triumph against Bayern Munich after only three months as a manager.
97	3 May 1952 - England 5 Wales 1 [1-1] St Andrew's, Birmingham (12,900)	Morton, Keeley (2), Asher, Woods Tomkins	HW
	England: G.Clayton, K.Storey, A.Goss, F.Bolton, R.Yeatman, Duncan Edwardsᶜ, A.Morton, A.Woods, J.Keeley, T.Asher, G.Ward. (unused: L.Dodds, A.Cleaver, A.Barton, D.Bannister).
	The power and precision of Duncan Edwards ensured that England comfortably acquired the Victory Shield. Seven days later, Wales seemed set to take the runners-up spot with a two-goal lead against Scotland at Vetch Field, Swansea, after only eight minutes, but they ended up losing 3-2.
Under-14 Friendly match
98	10 May 1952 - England 5 Ireland 0 [3-0] Bootham Crescent, York (16,000)	Pearce, Parry, Neil, Edwards, Goulden	HW
	England: A.Hawksworth, W.Deamer, P.Chape, Wilf McGuinnessᶜ, J.Leyland, G.Pearce, C.Parry, R.Goulden, M.Saul, R.Edwards, P.Neil.
	Ireland had also lost 5-1 to Wales in Cardiff and 5-2 to Scotland in Belfast, and conceded another five to England's under-14s.
Friendly matches
99	31 May 1952 - Ireland 1 England 0 [0-0] Dalymount Park, Dublin (tbc)	Lowe (pen)	AL
	England: L.Dodds, K.Storey, K.Jones, F.Bolton, R.Yeatman, Duncan Edwardsᶜ, A.Morton, A.Woods, J.Keeley, T.Asher, G.Ward.
	The Schoolboys' FA of Ireland's team had drawn 1-1 at Newport on their first trip to Wales in the previous month, with a completely different team to that which faced England, fuelling further speculation that it was another over-age under-16 team that beat them. It was a disappointing end to Duncan Edwards' unprecedented three-year schoolboy international career, but he would be making his top-flight debut in the following year and carving out his place in folklore. His death in 1958 from injuries sustained in the Munich air crash brought an end to one of the all-time greats at the tragically young age of just 21.

Season 1952-53
Class of 1953 (born after 31 August 1937 - 15 or under on 31 August 1953): * Under-14 Class of 1953 (born after 31 August 1938 - 14 or under on 31 August 1953) Football League debuts: Brian Birch (Bolton Wanderers) 1954 (Division 1) aged 16 Pat Neil (Portsmouth) 1955 (Division 1) - under-18 schoolboy international and England amateur international (1955) aged 17 Geoff Tate (Derby County) 1955 (Division 3 North) - under-18 schoolboy international (1955) aged 17 Wilf McGuinness (Manchester United) 1955 (Division 1) - Football League XI (1958), Young England XI v. England (1959) Jimmy Melia (Liverpool) 1955 (Division 2) - Football League XI (1963) Bobby Charlton (Manchester United) 1956 (Division 1) - Football League XI (1961) Tony Hawksworth (Manchester United) 1956 (Division 1) Ken Nicholas (Watford) 1959 (Division 4) Alan Collier (Luton Town) 1959 (Division 1) *Dave Cade (Bradford) 1960 (Division 4) Reserve, Walter Joyce debuted for Burnley in the first division in 1960 Full internationals: Bobby Charlton and Wilf McGuinness (1958), both aged 20, and Jimmy Melia (1963) Under-23 internationals: Bobby Charlton and Wilf McGuinness (1958), both aged 20 Youth internationals: Bobby Charlton and Wilf McGuinness (1954), both aged 16, Tony Hawksworth and Ken Nicholas (1955), both aged 17, Brian Birch (1955) aged 16, and Alan Collier, Geoff Tate, Jimmy Melia and Ron Saxby (1955), all aged 17
100	28 March 1953 - England 3 Wales 3 [1-2] Empire Stadium, Wembley (80,500)	Charlton (2), Pratt Rees (2), M.Hughes	HD
	England: A.Hawksworth, G.Moxham, A.Daly, Wilf McGuinnessᶜ, K.Titcombe, C.Smales, P.Neil, R.Saxby, G.Tate, Bobby Charlton, M.Pratt. (unused: A.Collier, P.Chape, Jimmy Melia, J.Burton).
	Another world-record schoolboys' crowd, paying receipts of £14,730 saw a classic match, as England failed to win at Wembley for the first time. They were two goals down after ten minutes, before Bobby Charlton announced his arrival on the international stage, cracking the opposition goalkeeper's ribs with the ferocity of his equaliser, and a substitute 'keeper was brought on. England took the lead with four minutes left, but a last-minute equaliser salvaged the draw for the Welsh. Pat Neil went on to score five goals in three consecutive visits to Wembley in 1958-60 for Cambridge University against Oxford University.
Victory Shield
101	18 April 1953 - Wales 2 England 4 [1-2] Ninian Park, Cardiff (14,000)	M.Hughes (2) Gregg (2), Charlton, Pratt	AW
		Charlton's first-half penalty was saved by Thomas, but he scored from the rebound
	England: A.Collier, W.Deamer, A.Daly, Wilf McGuinnessᶜ, K.Nicholas, C.Smales, P.Neil, R.Saxby, R.Gregg, Bobby Charlton, M.Pratt.
	Another six goals between them, but with Victory Shield points at stake this time, England emerged victorious. Wales beat the Schoolboys' FA of Ireland's team for the first time, 3-1 in a Dublin friendly, but they were unable to stop England from retaining the title.
Friendly match
102	25 April 1953 - England 8 Ireland 0 [1-0] Fratton Park, Portsmouth (tbc)	Charlton (2), Smales (2), Melia, Pratt (3)	HW
	England: A.Hawksworth, P.Chape, A.Daly, Wilf McGuinnessᶜ, K.Nicholas, J.Burton, P.Neil, Jimmy Melia, C.Smales, Bobby Charlton, M.Pratt. (unused: A.Collier, B.Birch, G.Bowling, R.Saxby).
	The Schoolboys' FA of Ireland's team presumably excluded players of 16 years from this match, and were overwhelmed by their taller and heavier opponents. Bobby Charlton scored two more goals on the day that elder brother, Jack made his Football League debut for Leeds United. Gregg was originally named as a reserve, but was replaced by Saxby.
Victory Shield
103	9 May 1953 - England 0 Scotland 0 [0-0] Filbert Street, Leicester (26,000)		HD
	England: A.Hawksworth, P.Chape, A.Daly, Wilf McGuinnessᶜ, K.Nicholas, J.Burton, B.Birch, R.Saxby, C.Smales, Bobby Charlton, M.Pratt. (unused: A.Collier, G.Bowling, W.Joyce, G.Tate).
	Bobby Charlton failed to appear on the scoresheet on his last schoolboy international appearance, but he went on to achieve a level of greatness rarely seen on the football field, breaking records for club and country for appearances and goals scored, and winning every honour that it was possible to win, including a knighthood in 1994. Following on from Duncan Edwards, a year earlier, the English Schools' FA were providing very rich talent indeed for the English game. Scotland were left needing to beat Wales at Fir Park, Motherwell, three weeks later, to stop England from retaining the Victory Shield on goal average, but they were held to a 1-1 draw.
Under-14 Friendly match
104	28 May 1953 - Ireland 0 England 7 [0-3] Grosvenor Park, Belfast (tbc)	Oliver (5), Cade, Howe	AW
		Oliver also missed a tenth-minute penalty
	England: B.Waller, G.Fowkes, J.Hallett, F.Horne, H.Collisonᶜ, G.Cox, J.Metcalfe, P.Howe, G.Oliver, T.Beckett, D.Cade.
	Ireland had drawn 2-2 with Wales in Belfast, in the previous month, and lost 4-0 to Scotland, at Celtic Park, Glasgow, five days earlier, but their heaviest defeat of the season came when they couldn't stop the free-scoring Graham Oliver.

Season 1953-54
Class of 1954 (born after 31 August 1938 - 15 or under on 31 August 1954): * Under-14 Class of 1954 (born after 31 August 1939 - 14 or under on 31 August 1954) Football League debuts: Alick Jeffrey (Doncaster Rovers) 1954 (Division 2) aged 15 - England amateur international and Great Britain Olympic qualifier (1955) aged 16 Joe Dean (Bolton Wanderers) 1956 (Division 1) aged 16 Barry Staton (Doncaster Rovers) 1956 (Division 2) Derek Temple (Everton) 1957 (Division 1) - Football League XI (1965) *Mike Harrison (Chelsea) 1957 (Division 1) aged 16 Alex Dawson (Manchester United) 1957 (Division 1) - born in Scotland George Fenn played for West Ham United in the Southern Floodlight Cup in 1958 Alan Rodgerson (Middlesbrough) 1958 (Division 2) *Ian Hall (Derby County) 1959 (Division 2) *Reserve, Bobby Cram debuted for West Bromwich Albion in the first division in 1959 Alan Spears (Millwall) 1960 (Division 4) *Colin Withers (Birmingham City) 1960 (Division 1) David Bennett (Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic) 1961 (Division 4) *Harold Bratt (Doncaster Rovers) 1961 (Division 4) Full internationals: Derek Temple (1965) Under-23 internationals: Alick Jeffrey (1956) aged 17 and *Mike Harrison (1961) aged 20 Youth internationals: Alick Jeffrey (1955) aged 16 in Amateur Youth Championship, *Rodney Feist (1956) aged 15 or 16, Joe Dean (1956) aged 16, Barry Staton (1956) aged 17, *David Wright (1956) aged 16 or 17, Derek Temple (1957) and *Ian Hall (1958)
Victory Shield
105	20 March 1954 - England 2 Wales 1 [0-0] Vicarage Road, Watford (tbc)	Jeffrey, Spears Magor	HW
	England: J.Dean, E.Speight, J.Hallettᶜ, F.Horne, B.Staton, G.Cox, J.Metcalfe, A.Spears, G.Oliver, A.Jeffrey, A.Rodgerson. (unused: K.Sadler, H.Collison, A.Dawson).
	In their earliest start to the season since 1914, England began with a rather fortunate victory over Wales, who did not take their chances. Wales had started even earlier, drawing 1-1 with Scotland at Ninian Park, Cardiff, in early February. T.Beckett and A.Cooper had been named in the programme as substitutes, but Dawson came in as a replacement.
English Schools' Football Association Golden Jubilee International
106	3 April 1954 - England 1 Scotland 0 [0-0] Empire Stadium, Wembley (90,000)	Bennett	HW
	England: J.Dean, A.Cooper, J.Hallett, F.Horne, B.Statonᶜ, G.Cox, B.Sluman, A.Spears, G.Oliver, A.Jeffrey, D.Bennett. (unused: K.Sadler, H.Collison, T.Beckett).
	On the day of another England victory at Hampden Park in Glasgow, the youngsters also tasted victory, and again in front of a television audience, on top of the capacity crowd which gave Wembley its fifth successive world record for schoolboy internationals. Receipts were £16,250. Cooper was a late change for Speight, who had twisted an ankle. The only goal was scored six minutes from the end of a tight contest.
Under-14 Friendly match
107	17 April 1954 - England 6 Ireland 0 [2-0] Baseball Ground, Derby (15,000)	Eades (2), Dawson, Hall, Clarkson (2)	HW
	England: C.Withers, R.Feist, D.Wright, M.Durhamᶜ, K.Smy, H.Bratt, A.Dawson, I.Hall, N.Clarkson, N.Eades, M.Harrison. (unused: R.Moore, A.Jones, R.Cram).
	A familiar story as England, once again, found it relatively easy to break down the Ulster-based defence. Nine days later, Ireland lost 4-1 to Scotland at Cliftonville, before a creditable 3-3 draw with Wales at Aberdare, eight days after that.
Friendly match
108	21 April 1954 - Ireland 3 England 3 [0-1] Mardyke, Cork (tbc)	Clarke, Thorpe, O'Brien Fenn (2), Beckett	AD
	England: J.Dean, E.Speight, J.Hallett, F.Horne, B.Statonᶜ, G.Cox, G.Fenn, A.Spears, G.Oliver, T.Beckett, D.Bennett. (unused: K.Sadler, H.Collison, A.Cooper, B.Sluman, A.Jeffrey).
	The FA of Ireland's team almost pulled off another famous victory and were leading 3-1 with five minutes left, until a tactical switch put Fenn at centre-forward and he grabbed a dramatic equaliser with two minutes remaining, on England's first trip to Cork. The FA Yearbook credited Ireland's first goal to Thorpe. Ireland drew 1-1 with Wales, in Dublin, in the following month.
Victory Shield
109	8 May 1954 - Scotland 0 England 4 [0-2] Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh (25,000)	Fenn, Jeffrey (2), Spears	AW
	England: K.Sadler, E.Speight, J.Hallettᶜ, F.Horne, B.Staton, G.Cox, A.Dawson, A.Spears, G.Fenn, A.Jeffrey, D.Bennett. (unused: A.Cooper, Derek Temple).
	England secured a hat-trick of Victory Shields, their fifth title in a row, including the three-way tie of 1951, with a commanding performance. One of Scotland's reserves, Chris Crowe, went on to win a full cap for England in 1962.
English Schools' Football Association Golden Jubilee International
110	15 May 1954 - England 0 Wales 0 [0-0] Maine Road, Manchester (25,000)		HD
	England: J.Dean, E.Speight, J.Hallettᶜ, F.Horne, B.Staton, G.Cox, G.Fenn, A.Spears, Derek Temple, A.Jeffrey, D.Bennett.
	An additional fixture with Wales was appropriately played to end the English Schools' Football Association's fiftieth anniversary celebrations, though the game was not the most entertaining. Wales made a half-time substitution, due to injury, technically against the rules, but this was allowed.

Season 1954-55
Class of 1955 (born after 31 August 1939 - 15 or under on 31 August 1955): * Under-14 Class of 1955 (born after 31 August 1940 - 14 or under on 31 August 1955) Football League debuts: Reserve, Kevin McHale debuted for Huddersfield Town in the second division in 1956 Johnny Morrissey (Liverpool) 1957 (Division 2) - Football League XI (1969) Alex Dawson (Manchester United) 1957 (Division 1) - born in Scotland Reserve, Jackie Bell debuted for Newcastle United in the first division in 1957 *Dave Gaskell (Manchester United) 1957 (Division 1) after FA Charity Shield debut in 1956, aged 16 *John Mitten (Mansfield Town) 1958 (Division 3 North) aged 16 David Cliss (Chelsea) 1958 (Division 1) Mark Pearson (Manchester United) 1958 (Division 1) after FA Cup debut *David Rowland (Luton Town) 1958 (Division 1) Reserve, Mel Scott debuted for Chelsea in the first division in 1958 *John Talbut (Burnley) 1958 (Division 1) - Young England XI captain v. England (1964) *Barry Bridges (Chelsea) 1959 (Division 1) - Football League XI (1965) Ian Hall (Derby County) 1959 (Division 2) Reg Holland (Wrexham) 1960 (Division 3) *Alan Bentham (Southport) 1960 (Division 4) Terry Bradbury (Chelsea) 1960 (Division 1) Full internationals: *Barry Bridges (1965) Under-23 internationals: *John Talbut (1963) - captain Youth internationals: Rodney Feist (1956) aged 15 or 16, Kevin McHale and Mel Scott (1956), both aged 17, David Cliss and *Dave Gaskell (1956), both aged 16, David Wright (1956) aged 16 or 17, *Barry Bridges (1957) aged 15, Reg Holland and Mark Pearson (1957), both aged 17, *John Mitten (1957) aged 16 and Ian Hall (1958)
Victory Shield
111	2 April 1955 - Wales 2 England 6 [2-5] Ninian Park, Cardiff (8,600)	Thomas, O'Brien Pearson (3), Cliss, Wynn (2)	AW
	England: R.Moore, R.Feist, D.Wright, P.Bunch, E.Holland, T.Bradburyᶜ, A.Dawson, I.Hall, S.Wynn, D.Cliss, M.Pearson. (unused: G.Johnson, J.Bell, M.Scott, J.McHale, J.Morrissey).
	Wales hit England early with two goals in the first seven minutes, but in a seven-minute spell from the 29th minute, they were suddenly overwhelmed by five England goals that completely changed the course of the match.
Friendly matches
112	23 April 1955 - England 6 Wales 0 [0-0] Empire Stadium, Wembley (90,000)	Bunch, Dawson (2), Wynn (2), Hall	HW
	England: R.Moore, R.Feist, D.Wright, P.Bunch, E.Holland, T.Bradburyᶜ, A.Dawson, I.Hall, S.Wynn, D.Cliss, M.Pearson. (unused: G.Johnson, J.Bell, M.Scott, J.McHale, J.Morrissey).
	An unchanged England again hit Wales for six, but they again took a while to break down their opponents, this time scoring four goals in an eight-minute spell. Six days later, a younger Welsh team won 4-0 at Grosvenor Park, Belfast as Ireland were accepted back in to the Victory Shield, though their games were still all at under-14 level.
113	30 April 1955 - England 9 Republic of Ireland 1 [5-1] Kenilworth Road, Luton (12,000)	Bunch, Morrissey, Bradbury, Dawson (2), Pearson (2), Wynn, Cliss O'Donovan	HW
	England: R.Moore, R.Feist, D.Wright, P.Bunchᶜ, E.Holland, T.Bradbury, A.Dawson, D.Cliss, S.Wynn, M.Pearson, J.Morrissey.
	Another four-goal blast in a six-minute spell took England to their biggest-ever victory, but the record was to last for just four weeks. A FIFA ruling of the previous year had instructed the Football Association of Ireland to call its teams the Republic of Ireland to avoid any confusion with Northern Ireland's teams, though the British press continued to call them Eire. Two weeks later, they lost for the first time in Wales, by 3-1 at Merthyr Tydfil. They had yet to face Scotland for the first time.
Victory Shield
114	14 May 1955 - England 2 Scotland 2 [1-2] Goodison Park, Liverpool (37,499)	Dawson, Bunch Baker (2)	HD
	England: R.Moore, R.Feist, D.Wright, P.Bunchᶜ, E.Holland, T.Bradbury, A.Dawson, D.Cliss, S.Wynn, M.Pearson, J.Morrissey. (unused: G.Johnson, J.Bell, I.Hall, J.McHale).
	Seven days earlier, Scotland had beaten Wales, 5-2 at Somerset Park, Ayr, and this was the last under-15 match of the season. England had used only twelve players, making just one change (Morrissey for Hall). Joe Baker, who, five years later, aged 19, became the first professional to win a full cap for England whilst playing outside of the country, threatened to give Scotland a great chance of winning the Victory Shield, but Bunch's equaliser meant that the title would be decided by the under-14s in their respective fixtures against Northern Ireland. David Wright played for the under-18 schoolboys, a year later, he then captained the England youth team for almost a full year, and he played twice for the England amateur team, but he decided not to become a professional footballer, choosing instead to go to university and then to become a teacher.
115	28 May 1955 - Northern Ireland 0 England 11 [0-6] Mourneview Park, Lurgan (tbc)	Rowland (4), Bridges (3), Clarke (3), M.Walker	AW
	England: J.Gaskell, G.Sprason, A.Bentham, B.Heritage, J.Talbutᶜ, J.Walker, M.Walker, W.Clarke, Barry Bridges, D.Rowland, J.Mitten.
	Scotland appeared to have clinched their first outright Victory Shield since 1948, when they registered a record win by beating Northern Ireland, 9-0 at Broomfield Park, Airdrie, seven days earlier, leaving England needing to register their biggest ever win, by matching Scotland's result, in an away match. Incredibly, it always looked likely, given the gulf in height and weight, due to the relative under-14 player pools available to each country. Conceding twenty goals in eight days was a sobering experience for the Irish Schools' FA in their first Victory Shield appearances since 1948. They were still calling themselves 'Ireland', despite the FIFA ruling of the previous year instructing them to play under the name of Northern Ireland. Following the lead of the Irish Football Association, where FIFA had no jurisdiction over the Home International (British) Championship fixtures, they would not change their name until the 1970s, but as the schools' body had never represented the whole of Ireland, we have used the FIFA guidance for clarity and ease of reference. England clinched a fourth successive outright title on goal average from Scotland.

Season 1955-56
Class of 1956 (born after 31 August 1940 - 15 or under on 31 August 1956): * Under-14 Class of 1956 (born after 31 August 1941 - 14 or under on 31 August 1956) Football League debuts: Dave Gaskell (Manchester United) 1957 (Division 1) after FA Charity Shield debut in 1956, aged 16 David Rowland (Luton Town) 1958 (Division 1) Reserve, John Talbut debuted for Burnley in the first division in 1958 and captained a Young England XI versus England in 1964 *Keith Brown (Notts County) 1959 (Division 3) Barry Bridges (Chelsea) 1959 (Division 1) - Football League XI (1965) *Bobby Tambling (Chelsea) 1959 (Division 1) - Young England XI v. England (1962) Roger Collinson (Bristol City) 1959 (Division 2) Willie Carlin (Liverpool) 1959 (Division 2) Leon Vaessen (Millwall) 1959 (Division 4) *Brian Sullivan (Fulham) 1960 (Division 1) John Sanchez (Watford) 1960 (Division 4) Alan Bentham (Southport) 1960 (Division 4) Warwick Rimmer (Bolton Wanderers) 1960 (Division 1) John Osborne (Chesterfield) 1960 (Division 3) *Tommy Spratt (Bradford) 1961 (Division 4) Peter Simpson (Burnley) 1962 (Division 1) *Roy Moss (Gillingham) 1962 (Division 4) Full internationals: *Bobby Tambling (1962) aged 21 and Barry Bridges (1965) Under-23 internationals: *Bobby Tambling (1962) aged 21 Youth internationals: Dave Gaskell (1956) aged 16, Barry Bridges (1957) aged 15, John Sanchez and Roger Collinson (1957), both aged 16, Willie Carlin (1958) aged 17, *Tommy Spratt and *Brian Sullivan (1959), both aged 17
116	3 April 1956 - England 1 Northern Ireland 1 [0-0] Carrow Road, Norwich (8,600)	Moss Best	HD
	England: B.Smart, J.Read, T.Wood, D.Adamsᶜ, C.Grant, G.Jones, K.Brown, B.Sullivan, R.Moss, T.Spratt, Bobby Tambling.
	After the eleven-goal debacle of the previous year's fixture, the new crop of under-14s were closely matched on the day after Easter Monday, as England failed to beat them for the first time in nine meetings. The Irish equalised with four minutes left. Northern Ireland's team included Terry Neill, who became player-manager of his country in 1971 and managed Arsenal to their 1979 FA Cup win. This was the last meeting between the teams at under-14 level, but for the first time, the Irish players would be eligible to play again in the following season.
Friendly matches
117	21 April 1956 - England 1 Scotland 2 [1-1] Empire Stadium, Wembley (95,000)	Bridges McGurk, Malcolm	HL
	England: J.Gaskell, K.France, A.Benthamᶜ, P.Simpson, B.Smith, L.Vaessen, A.Bates, D.Hobbs, Barry Bridges, D.Rowland, W.Carlin. (unused: M.Munden, M.Quinn, J.Talbut, J.Sanchez, B.Shirtcliffe).
	Scotland had begun their Victory Shield campaign by defeating Wales, 6-2 at Ynys Field, Aberdare, two weeks earlier, and now inflicted on England their first Wembley defeat, in front of a new world record attendance for a schoolboy match, despite Bridges' goal after just thirty seconds. Leon Vaessen appears in the ESFA records as Vaissen.
118	23 April 1956 - England 5 West Germany 1 [4-0] Fratton Park, Portsmouth (17,042)	Bentham (pen), Bridges (2), Shirtcliffe, Hobbs Lipka	HW
	England: J.Gaskell, K.France, A.Benthamᶜ, W.Rimmer, B.Smith, J.Sanchez, A.Bates, B.Shirtcliffe, Barry Bridges, W.Carlin, D.Hobbs. (unused: M.Munden, M.Quinn, P.Simpson, J.Talbut, L.Vaessen, D.Rowland).
	Two days after losing at Wembley, England made five changes for their first meeting with continental opposition and were three goals up in 26 minutes. The Germans did not have schools' teams, but they were playing in their first ever international match, with players selected from junior sections of their top clubs. They made two second-half substitutions, including in goal.
Victory Shield
119	12 May 1956 - England 3 Wales 2 [1-1] Ashton Gate, Bristol (17,000)	Little, Bridges, Carlin Pugh, Greaney	HW
	England: J.Gaskell, K.France, A.Benthamᶜ, W.Rimmer, B.Smith, J.Sanchez, M.Walker, F.Street, Barry Bridges, W.Carlin, A.Little. (unused: M.Munden, J.Osborne, J.Talbut, D.Hobbs).
	Wales' under-14s had lost 2-1 to Northern Ireland, two weeks earlier, at Ebbw Vale, but Scotland had then put pressure on England by defeating the Irish victors, 2-1 at Solitude, Belfast, six days later. England should have won more easily, but still set themselves up nicely for the following week's showdown at Dundee.
120	19 May 1956 - Scotland 3 England 1 [1-0] Dens Park, Dundee (23,500)	McGurk, McCulloch (2) Bridges	AL
	England: J.Gaskell, K.France, R.Collinson, W.Rimmer, B.Smithᶜ, J.Sanchez (J.Osborne), D.Hobbs, F.Street, Barry Bridges, W.Carlin, A.Little.
	England needed to win, but it was Scotland who prevented them from lifting the Shield for a seventh successive year with a convincing victory, proving that their Wembley success, with the same team, was no fluke. John Osborne was spelt as 'Osbourne' in the ESFA records, but he became England's first substitute after 25 minutes, as a wing-half. Four years later, he made his league debut as a goalkeeper, and won the 1968 FA Cup with West Bromwich Albion.
Friendly matches
121	25 May 1956 - Republic of Ireland 0 England 1 [0-0] Tolka Park, Dublin (tbc)	Bridges	AW
	England: M.Munden, K.France, A.Bentham, W.Rimmer, B.Smithᶜ, J.Osborne, D.Hobbs, D.Rowland, Barry Bridges, W.Carlin, A.Little.
	A Friday night fixture ended the season with a victory despite England being a player short when France had to come off with a cut eye early in the second half. Ireland also had a player off the field receiving treatment when the goal was scored just after an hour's play, though he returned as a virtual passenger for the rest of the game. The Irish team had been due to face Wales in Cork, three days later, but it was called off at the beginning of the month, due to the death of the secretary of the Welsh Schools' FA, and they did not meet again until 1960.

Season 1956-57
Class of 1957 (born after 31 August 1941 - 15 or under on 31 August 1957): Football League debuts: Peter Bullock (Stoke City) 1958 (Division 2) aged 16 Cliff Jackson (Swindon Town) 1958 (Division 3) Bobby Tambling (Chelsea) 1959 (Division 1) - Young England XI v. England (1962) Colin Brookes (Barnsley) 1959 (Division 3) Derek Woodley (West Ham United) 1959 (Division 1) Bob Charles (Southampton) 1959 (Division 3) Brian Sullivan (Fulham) 1960 (Division 1) Bill McCarthy (Southport) 1960 (Division 4) Nobby Stiles (Manchester United) 1960 (Division 1) - Football League XI (1965) Bob Wilson (Arsenal) 1963 (Division 1) - under-18 schoolboy international (1958) aged 16, Scotland international (1971) Full internationals: Bobby Tambling (1962) aged 21 and Nobby Stiles (1965) aged 22 Under-23 internationals: Bobby Tambling (1962) aged 21 and Nobby Stiles (1965) aged 22 Youth internationals: Peter Bullock (1958) aged 16, Ken McCabe (1959) aged 16 or 17, Nobby Stiles and Derek Woodley (1959), both aged 16, Bob Charles and Brian Sullivan (1959), both aged 17
122	23 March 1957 - England 9 Republic of Ireland 1 [4-0] Home Park, Plymouth (tbc)	Sullivan (2), Brooks, Tambling (2), Woodley (3), Brookes Mulvey	HW
	England: B.Smart, A.Wileman, W.McCarthy, Nobby Stiles, T.Woodᶜ, G.Jones, D.Woodley, B.Sullivan, Bobby Tambling, M.Brooks, C.Brookes. (unused: R.Wilson, K.McCabe, P.Roe, P.Bullock).
	The website soccerscene.ie gives one of Sullivan's goals to Woodley and credits Ireland's goal to Saunders, whilst the FA Yearbook gives it to McCarthy. By this time, Welshman, Bill Roberts had taken over team-manager duties from George Crandon.
123	30 March 1957 - England 2 Wales 0 [1-0] Empire Stadium, Wembley (90,000)	Woodley, Brookes	HW
		Sullivan fired over the bar from a last-minute penalty
	England: B.Smart, A.Wileman, W.McCarthy, Nobby Stiles, T.Woodᶜ, G.Jones, D.Woodley, B.Sullivan, Bobby Tambling, M.Brooks, C.Brookes. (unused: R.Charles, K.McCabe, P.Roe, P.Bullock).
	Derek Woodley gave England the lead after only 13 seconds, before a Welsh player had touched the ball.
Victory Shield
124	5 April 1957 - Northern Ireland 0 England 3 [0-1] Grosvenor Park, Belfast (6,000)	Tambling, Bullock, Woodley	AW
	England: R.Wilson, A.Wileman, W.McCarthy, Nobby Stiles, T.Woodᶜ, G.Jones, D.Woodley, B.Sullivan, Bobby Tambling (P.Bullock), M.Brooks, C.Brookes. (unused: B.Smart, P.Roe, K.McCabe).
	Kicking off at 8pm on a Friday night, this was England's first match to be played under floodlights, and Northern Ireland's first under-15 international since 1948, after the school leaving age was finally raised to 15 to match those in Great Britain. After a season of disappointment in the Victory Shield, England were ahead in the first minute again, through Tambling after thirty seconds, but he then went off injured after 15 minutes, and Peter Bullock, his replacement became their first goalscoring substitute.
125	23 April 1957 - England 2 Scotland 0 [1-0] Hillsborough, Sheffield (30,177)	Woodley, Buchanan OG	HW
	England: R.Wilson, A.Wileman, W.McCarthy, Nobby Stiles, T.Woodᶜ, G.Jones, D.Woodley, B.Sullivan, Bobby Tambling, C.Jackson, C.Brookes. (unused: B.Smart, P.Roe, K.McCabe, M.Brooks, P.Bullock).
	An important win for England on the day after Easter Monday. Yet again, they took an early lead, this time after only three minutes, but it was not a great performance.
126	27 April 1957 - Wales 0 England 3 [0-0] Vetch Field, Swansea (tbc)	Brookes, Bullock (2)	AW
	England: R.Charles, A.Wileman, W.McCarthy, K.McCabe, T.Woodᶜ, G.Jones, D.Woodley (P.Roe), M.Woods, P.Bullock, C.Brookes, Bobby Tambling.
	Bullock scored twice in the last five minutes as England wrapped up the Victory Shield by completing the 'triple crown', without conceding a goal. Stiles was in the original line-up, but picked up an injury against Scotland and was replaced by Woods. Six days later, Wales lost 2-1 to Northern Ireland, at Solitude, Belfast after being a goal up at half-time. Scotland then secured the runners-up spot by beating Wales, 3-1 at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, and Northern Ireland, by 7-2 at Fir Park, Motherwell.
Friendly matches
127	22 May 1957 - West Germany 1 England 3 [0-1] Neckarstadion, Stuttgart (76,000)	Nagel Eisele OG, Tambling (2)	AW
	England: R.Wilson, A.Wileman, W.McCarthy, Nobby Stiles, T.Woodᶜ, G.Jones, P.Roe, M.Brooks (K.McCabe), P.Bullock, Bobby Tambling, C.Brookes. (unused: R.Charles, C.Jackson, D.Woodley).
	The Victory Shield champions, wearing red change shirts for the first time, made their first trip abroad and topped the season off with a sixth consecutive win. They were followed in the stadium by a full international, as Scotland beat West Germany, 3-1. Nobby Stiles, who had only just turned 15, was a key part of England's most famous victory against the Germans, nine years later, when he picked up his World Cup winners' medal. Bob Wilson, in goal, won the league and FA Cup double with Arsenal in 1971, and went on to represent Scotland, before becoming a television presenter with both BBC and ITV.

Season 1957-58
Class of 1958 (born after 31 August 1942 - 15 or under on 31 August 1958): Football League debuts: Jantzen Derrick (Bristol City) 1959 (Division 2) Terry Venables (Chelsea) 1960 (Division 1) - England amateur international (1960) aged 17, Young England XI v. England, and Football League XI (1964) Peter Thompson (Preston North End) 1960 (Division 1) - Young England XI v. England (1962) Ronnie Boyce (West Ham United) 1960 (Division 1) after Southern Floodlight Cup debut in 1959, aged 16, substitute for England v. Young England (1967) Adrian Williams (Bristol City) 1960 (Division 3) Allan Harris (Chelsea) 1960 (Division 1) Dave Wilson (Preston North End) 1960 (Division 1) Bert Murray (Chelsea) 1961 (Division 1) - Young England XI v. England (1965) Phil Chisnall (Manchester United) 1961 (Division 1) Robin Chandler (Luton Town) 1961 (Division 2) Morris Emmerson (Middlesbrough) 1962 (Division 2) Full internationals: Peter Thompson and Terry Venables (1964), both aged 21 Under-23 internationals: Terry Venables (1962) aged 19, Phil Chisnall (1963) aged 21, Dave Wilson and Peter Thompson (1963), both aged 20 and Bert Murray (1964) aged 22 Youth internationals: Terry Venables, captain (1960) aged 17, Adrian Williams (1960) aged 16, and Ronnie Boyce and Allan Harris (1960), both aged 17 and Bert Murray (1960)
128	7 April 1958 - England 2 West Germany 2 [1-2] Recreation Ground, Chesterfield (tbc)	Chisnall, Wilson Herbst, Germann	HD
	England: R.Hempsall, T.More, D.Mountain, Terry Venables, J.Greenwoodᶜ, S.Gibbens, J.Sacre, J.Chisnall, R.Chandler, D.Wilson, Peter Thompson.
	England's first match of the season was on Easter Monday, and they found the Germans a much tougher nut to crack than in their two previous encounters. Chisnall was a late replacement for Ronnie Boyce, who was suffering from bronchitis.
Victory Shield
129	19 April 1958 - England 3 Northern Ireland 0 [2-0] Vicarage Road, Watford (11,587)	Derrick (2), Chandler	HW
		Derrick also hit the post from a penalty after 25 minutes
	England: R.Hempsall, T.More, D.Mountain, Terry Venables, J.Greenwoodᶜ, S.Gibbens, J.Chisnall, R.Boyce, R.Chandler, A.Williams, J.Derrick. (unused: M.Emmerson, A.Harris, Peter Thompson, A.Murray).
	A comfortable win for England, as they targeted another Victory Shield success. Northern Ireland had earlier drawn 2-2 with Scotland at Windsor Park, Belfast, but lost 2-1 to Wales at Penydarren Park, Merthyr Tydfil, seven days before the England game.
Friendly match
130	26 April 1958 - England 3 Scotland 1 [3-0] Empire Stadium, Wembley (90,000)	Murray (2), Chisnall Gibson	HW
		Hempsall saved a 53rd-minute penalty from Henderson
	England: R.Hempsall, T.More, D.Mountain, Terry Venables, J.Greenwoodᶜ, S.Gibbens, J.Chisnall, R.Boyce, A.Murray, Peter Thompson, J.Derrick.
	England made amends for their Wembley defeat, two years previous, with a commanding performance. Hempsall, at six feet, one inch tall, proved an intimidating barrier to Scotland's forwards.
Victory Shield
131	10 May 1958 - England 3 Wales 1 [2-1] Filbert Street, Leicester (16,047)	Murray (2), Boyce Pickerell	HW
	England: R.Hempsall, T.More, D.Mountain, Terry Venables, J.Greenwoodᶜ, A.Harris, J.Chisnall, R.Boyce, A.Murray, Peter Thompson, J.Derrick. (unused: M.Emmerson, S.Gibbens, R.Chandler, A.Williams).
	The Welsh Schools' FA had faced the wrath of local church leaders after staging their opening match with Scotland at Somerton Park, Newport on Good Friday, but a last-minute equaliser had given them a 2-2 draw. The victory against the Irish now gave them a chance of winning the Shield, but another first-half brace from Bert Murray, in the first 15 minutes, soon ended their ambitions.
132	17 May 1958 - Scotland 2 England 2 [1-0] Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow (22,000)	Henderson, Penman Boyce, Williams	AD
	England: R.Hempsall, T.More, D.Mountain, Terry Venables, J.Greenwoodᶜ, A.Harris, J.Chisnall, R.Boyce, A.Murray, A.Williams, J.Derrick. (unused: M.Emmerson, S.Gibbens, R.Chandler, Peter Thompson).
	Scotland needed a three-goal victory to regain the shield on goal average, and they were ahead in the first minute, but England's second equaliser came with five minutes left and secured their second successive title, with a third successive 2-2 draw for the Scots in the competition. Particularly impressive in the Scotland team was Billy Bremner, who led Leeds United to multiple triumphs in a decade of success, and captained his country on 39 occasions, including in the 1974 World Cup.
Friendly match
133	24 May 1958 - Republic of Ireland 2 England 2 [1-0] Dalymount Park, Dublin (tbc)	Kelly (pen), McEntee Williams, O'Mahoney OG	AD
	England: M.Emmerson, T.More, D.Mountain, Terry Venables, J.Greenwoodᶜ, A.Harris, J.Chisnall, R.Chandler, A.Murray, A.Williams, J.Derrick. (unused: R.Hempsall, S.Gibbens, R.Boyce, Peter Thompson).
	England were two goals down after 48 minutes, but drew level, only three minutes from the end, to maintain their two-year unbeaten record. Terry Venables became the only player to win schoolboy, youth, amateur, under-23 and full England caps, before becoming head coach in 1994 and almost leading his country to the final of Euro '96.

Season 1958-59
Class of 1959 (born after 31 August 1943 - 15 or under on 31 August 1959): Football League debuts: Norman Ashe (Aston Villa) 1960 (Division 2) - aged 16 George Sharples (Everton) 1960 (Division 1) John Sleeuwenhoek (Aston Villa) 1961 (Division 1) - Football League XI (1962) Alan Baker (Aston Villa) 1961 (Division 1) Martin Peters (West Ham United) 1962 (Division 1) - Young England XI v. England (1965), Football League XI (1967) Brian Dear (West Ham United) 1962 (Division 1) Mike Dixon (Reading) 1962 (Division 3) Rod Smithson (Arsenal) 1962 (Division 1) Chris Lawler (Liverpool) 1963 (Division 1) - PFA Division 4 Team of the Year (1978, Stockport County) Injured, Ernie Ackerley was born in Scotland and debuted for Barrow in the fourth division in 1963 Micky Ash (Sheffield United) 1963 (Division 1) Roy Low (Tottenham Hotspur) 1964 (Division 1) Bobby Smith (Scunthorpe United) 1965 (Division 3) Full internationals: Martin Peters (1966) aged 22 and Chris Lawler (1971) Under-23 internationals: Martin Peters (1962) aged 19, John Sleeuwenhoek (1962) aged 18 and Chris Lawler (1965) aged 22 Youth internationals: Norman Ashe (1960) aged 16, Alan Baker (1960) aged 15, Martin Peters and John Sleeuwenhoek (1960), both aged 16, Chris Lawler, captain and George Sharples (1960), both aged 17, Bobby Smith (1961) aged 16, Micky Ash (1961) aged 17 and Rod Smithson (1962)
Victory Shield
134	4 April 1959 - England 2 Scotland 3 [1-1] Baseball Ground, Derby (tbc)	Dear (2) Hope, Carruthers, Cairns	HL
		Rowley saved a 38th-minute penalty from Winchester
	England: K.Rowley, A.Clay, Martin Peters, R.Smith, Chris Lawlerᶜ, G.Sharples, M.Ash, J.Sleeuwenhoek, G.Steel, B.Caple, B.Dear. (unused: M.Dixon, M.Niblett, R.Smithson, A.Low).
	Wales grabbed a last-minute equaliser in the opening Victory Shield match on the previous evening to register a 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland at Grosvenor Park, Belfast, but it was Scotland who went top after a deserved victory against a poor England team that included future World Cup Final scorer, Martin Peters, at left-back, though Ash went off injured before Scotland's winning goal. Steel was a late replacement for Ernie Ackerley, who failed a fitness test on the day before the international, following injury, and did not get another chance.
135	11 April 1959 - Wales 1 England 1 [1-0] Ninian Park, Cardiff (tbc)	Bailey Dear	AD
	England: K.Rowley, A.Clay, R.Smithson, R.Smith, Chris Lawlerᶜ, Martin Peters, N.Ashe, A.Baker, G.Sharples, B.Caple, B.Dear. (unused: M.Dixon, M.Niblett, R.Fortt, J.Sleeuwenhoek).
	After the previous week's showing, the selectors made changes and England dominated their opponents, but their hopes of a hat-trick of Victory Shields were ended by a heroic defensive performance. There were even claims that England's long-awaited equaliser did not cross the line. In the Welsh defence was Peter Rodrigues, who captained Southampton to their sensational FA Cup win in 1976 against Manchester United. On the previous evening, at Easter Road, Edinburgh, Scotland had come from behind to beat Northern Ireland, 5-1, and had only to avoid a two-goal home defeat to Wales to win the shield.
136	17 April 1959 - Northern Ireland 0 England 3 [0-1] Grosvenor Park, Belfast (tbc)	Ashe (2), Baker	AW
	England: M.Dixon, J.Sleeuwenhoek, M.Niblett, R.Smith, Chris Lawlerᶜ, Martin Peters, N.Ashe, A.Baker, G.Sharples, B.Caple, B.Dear. (unused: K.Rowley, A.Clay, R.Smithson, R.Fortt).
	England finally found a way to win again, though it was only enough to secure the runners-up spot in the Victory Shield, confirmed when Scotland destroyed Wales with a 9-1 hammering at Dens Park, Dundee, three weeks later, to win the title. It was the Welsh boys' heaviest ever defeat.
Friendly matches
137	25 April 1959 - England 2 West Germany 0 [0-0] Empire Stadium, Wembley (95,000)	Ashe, Baker (pen)	HW
	England: M.Dixon, A.Clay, M.Niblett, R.Smith, Chris Lawlerᶜ, Martin Peters, N.Ashe, A.Baker, G.Sharples, B.Caple, R.Fortt. (unused: K.Rowley, R.Smithson, J.Sleeuwenhoek).
	Record receipts of £18,950 were achieved as England entertained foreign visitors at Wembley for the first time. It took them an hour to break down their opponents, but their stamina was key in the end.
138	9 May 1959 - England 5 Republic of Ireland 0 [2-0] Ayresome Park, Middlesbrough (11,000)	Fortt, Caple (3), Fletcher	HW
	England: K.Rowley, A.Clay, Martin Peters, R.Smith, Chris Lawlerᶜ, G.Sharples, A.Low, A.Baker, R.Fortt, K.Fletcher, B.Caple.
	Superior height and weight played a big part in England's resounding victory, played as Scotland were wrapping up the Victory Shield in Dundee. Low was a late replacement for Ashe, who was injured.
139	22 May 1959 - West Germany 4 England 0 [1-0] Stadion an der Hafenstraβe, Essen (30,000)	Arnold (2), Weiss, Overath	AL
	England: K.Rowley, A.Clay, Martin Peters, R.Smith, Chris Lawlerᶜ, G.Sharples, N.Ashe, A.Baker, R.Fortt, K.Fletcher, B.Caple. (unused: M.Dixon, M.Niblett, R.Smithson, A.Low).
	England lost to foreign opposition for the first time, as the Germans overwhelmed them in their first match managed by the new Kommission Schulfuβball. Wolfgang Overath, who scored their fourth goal, would come up against Martin Peters at Wembley, seven years later, in the World Cup Final.

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