SUPER SIX SHOW WE'RE WORTH IT

IF THE top echelons of the game needed a reminder of the importance of clubs lower down the Pyramid then a glance at the England squad tells its own story.

- Matt BADCOCK

While some Premier League clubs give off the impression they don’t need anyone but themselves, Gareth Southgate’s latest picks suggest otherwise.

Of the 30-man squad for games against Wales, Denmark and Belgium, six have played senior Non-League football.

For starters, all three keepers have clocked up minutes outside the Football League. Jordan Pickford had important loan spells at Darlington and Alfreton. Dean Henderson spent time in goal for Stockport County when they were in National League North just over four years’ ago.

And Burnley stopper Nick Pope began in the Eastern Counties League with Team Bury before progressing into the Bury Town team in the Isthmian League.

Reception

Following his move from the Suffolk club to Charlton Athletic, Pope – whose brother Josh plays in goal for Soham Town Rangers – had loan stints at Harrow Borough, Welling United, Cambridge United and Aldershot Town.

In central defence, Tyrone Mings began his senior football days with Yate Town and Chippenham Town in the Southern League before a trial game for Ipswich Town famously led to Mick MCCarthly taking him off early so he could sign him before he got injured.