England U17

Tuesday, 24 July 2007.

The next generation of England stars will be hoping to get their U17 season off to a perfect start when they face Turkey at Wycombe Wanderers’ Adams Park stadium on 31st August KO 7.45pm.

The game is part of a four team friendly tournament which also features Northern Ireland and Italy and England coach, Noel Blake, is looking forward to the challenge ahead: “We’ll have the squad together for three or four days before the tournament begins and it will be good to see everyone back in action while giving us a chance to plan our competition approach,” said the former Birmingham City defender.

England U17s are no strangers to big game atmosphere having beaten Spain as U16s at Wembley Stadium last season and Blake realises that the upcoming friendly tournament will provide another fierce test for the squad: “All three sides are going to be tough opponents and it’s going to be a good learning experience for everyone involved.

“It was massive for us to play at Wembley against Spain last April and the boys handled it brilliantly. Everyone wants a piece of that now so there’s lots of competition for places from within the squad and from players that are on the fringes of receiving a call up as well.”

It’s going to be a busy summer for the England youth squads with the youngsters also competing at the Nordic Tournament in Denmark at the end of July while last season’s U17 setup travel to South Korea in August for the World Cup. Blake, who managed Exeter City in the Football League and Stoke City at youth level, is hoping that both England and Wycombe fans will all turn out in force to support the young Three Lions on home turf: “It’s a great opportunity for fans to see players who have the potential to achieve big things in the game. The lads are just starting out as professionals so they’re still learning and developing as footballers but it’s our goal to do well in the tournament and play entertaining football at the same time.”

England’s friendly tournament fixture list sees them play Northern Ireland at Brentford on August 29 (7.45pm) and Italy at Luton Town on September 2 (3pm).

Tickets for all games are £3 for adults in advance, £5 on the day and £1 for concessions. Advance tickets can be purchased from July 23 by contacting 01494 441 118. Group discounts are available for groups of 15 or more at 50p per ticket while FA Charter Standard clubs and schools can claim up to 50 FREE tickets – Log onto www.thefa.com for booking form details.