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Non-League Paper

When the Lions took on Aylesbury!

Eight days before England faced the Republic of Ireland in their opening match of Euro ‘88, the cream of the old First Division found themselves in the unfamiliar surroundings of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.

by
The Non-League Football Paper Team
7 June 2026

WORLD CUP 2026: FROM NON-LEAGUE TO THE BIGGEST STAGE OF ALL
ROB WILSON looks back at when England warmed up for a major tournament in Buckinghamshire...

Eight days before England faced the Republic of Ireland in their opening match of Euro ‘88, the cream of the old First Division found themselves in the unfamiliar surroundings of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.
By an amazing act of boldness and initiative, Charles Doughty, the club chairman, and the renowned Observer sports reporter, Frank McGhee, had convinced the Football Association that England’s final warm-up game should be against Ayles...

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