A CHESHIRE teenager has been selected for the England U18 Schoolboys’ squad for the Centenary Shield games.    

Following rigorous trials with two regional rounds followed by a final trial at Lilleshall National Sports Centre at the end of December, the English School’s Football Association (ESFA) selected its squad of 18 schoolboys to represent England.

The squad, including Bailey Hall from Congleton, will start their international campaign with a kit collection event on Saturday, January 29, where they will be presented with their Three Lions England Shirt designed by Pro: Direct and sponsored by ESFA Principal Partners, Utilita.

Their first opportunity to play together will be in a friendly fixture against the RAF on the same day.  

The boys will head to a preparatory training camp in February where they will have the opportunity to work with the ESFA coaching team and prepare for their competitive fixtures.

The squad’s first game for the School’s Association Football International Board’s (SAFIB) Centenary Shield competition will commence in Northern Ireland on March 25 at Portadown Football Club from 7pm.

The Squad will then play Scotland at Spennymoor Town FC on April 1 and play the Republic of Ireland at Eastleigh FC on April 8.

Mark Hignett, ESFA Chairman said “We are delighted to be able to name this year’s England U18 Schoolboys’ Squad.

"It’s a fantastic achievement for these players to have made it through what is a tough trials process, to be able to go on and represent their School, District, County and their Country for this year’s International Season."

A summary of the boys’ fixtures can be found below:

 

Fixture

Date

Venue

England v RAF (friendly)

Saturday 29 January 2020

Rectory Park, Middlsex 3.00pm KO

Centenary Shield Fixtures

Northern Ireland vs England

Friday 26th March 2022

H&W Welders FC

7pm KO

England vs Scotland

Friday 1st April 2022

Spennymoor FC

7pm KO

England vs Republic of Ireland

Friday 8th April 2022

Eastleigh FC

7pm KO

Wales vs England

Thursday 14th April

Llansawel

7pm KO