England C may have bowed out of this year’s International Challenge Trophy at the semifinal stage – but there’s still been plenty to shout about for Non-League’s Three Lions.
Ten years ago yesterday, Paul Fairclough sent his first England Non-League international side – then known as the National Game XI – into battle against Belgium.
England C suffered late heartache when Aydin Yilmaz struck in the 87th-minute to knock Non-League’s Three Lions out of the International Challenge Trophy.
Paul Fairclough has challenged his England C side to make their mark in the Football Association’s momentous 150th year – after naming his Lions to take on Turkey.
In a meeting room on the first floor of an Albanian hotel, 16 young English footballers are shouting and hugging as if they haven’t seen each other for five years.