Lions ready to roar again!

Fairclough set for next England C test

By Matt Badcock

Paul Fairclough will name his England C squad this week to take on Cymru C – and he says the fact Non-League is overflowing with quality has made it harder than ever.

Non-League’s Three Lions travel to Llanelli Town FC’s Stebonheath Park on Tuesday, March 19 to lock horns with their home nations rivals in the annual fixture.

England won the last meeting of the sides 12 months ago with Ryan De Havilland firing the winner.

Former Stevenage and Barnet boss Fairclough is acutely aware the game falls at a crucial stage in the club season, so once again he is expected to pick a squad on a one player, per club principle – with a possible exception – to travel across the border.

The long-serving C chief will unveil his squad this week – and it’s come with plenty of selection headaches.

DILEMMA: Paul Fairclough, is getting ready to unveil his England C squad to play Cymru C

PICTURE: Pinnacle

“It’s got harder and harder because the season has been really hotting up,” Fairclough told The NLP.

“We’ve got so many good players at National League level, and below. I could

have picked several different teams – in fact I have over the last couple of weeks.

“The eventual side I pick could have a few shocks. But I am picking a side to compete against Wales, not necessarily the side people would expect to be selected.

“It’s really been interesting because there is so much quality out there. And so many players whose performances have been fluctuating. One minute some are at it and bang on, the next minute they’re having a hard time and club form is fluctuating.

“Then other players just bounce in and string together a couple of performances that really hit you between the eyes where you say, ‘Wow, I’ve got to take notice of that’.

“So it’s been an exciting challenge. We’ve covered so many games. I’ve got so many guys out there, plus the games I’ve trawled over and over. I’ve watched live streams of games as well on National League TV.

“Being immersed in it the way I have been, I am so looking forward to the fixture now.”

This will be the third game against Wales where Fairclough will pick an open age group rather than from a Under-23 pool.

Still, six of last year’s victors have moved into the EFL and, while Fairclough is determined to win, he wants England C to keep playing with trademark pizzazz.

“I am keeping to my principles,” the 74-year-old said. “We want to put on a good performance. It’s not just about the result. Results are always important – especially to the players and supporters – but, for me, I just love to see an England side performing well.

“We did that in the last game against Wales. We want to win the game and we’re going to pick a side I believe will win the game.

“But we will do it in a fashion and a style that warrants people to clap hands and say, ‘That was a good game of football to watch from two teams’.”

● Cyrmu C take on England C at Llanelli Town FC on Tuesday March 19, kickoff 7.45pm. For tickets visit www.eticketing.co.uk/fawtickets-english/EDP/Event/Index/461