OCTOBER 7th ENGLAND (yesterday)

Twenty years ago (7th October 2000) England played Germany in the last fixture at the "Old Wembley" and lost 0-1. Dietmar Hamann scored from a free kick on a skidding surface, out witting David Seaman and shocking the English supporters in the crowd of over 76,000. 

Kevin Keegan had been the "inspirational" choice as manager of the England FA in a period when the FA left their traditional offices at Lancaster Gate after 72 years, moving to Soho Square. The old Wembley (built 1923) was to be knocked down and rebuilt; the end of an era. It seemed a good idea at the time to have Keegan in the hot seat, but quickly, Keegan was submerged and he emotionally resigned.

Emile Heskey had played for England at Under 16, 18 and 21s and he partnered Alan Shearer up front against Argentina on February 23rd 2000-result? 0-0. After a warm up run of games against Brazil 1-1, Ukraine 2-0, and Malta away 2-1, England took on the best in the European Championships (First Round) in June, coming 3rd in a group including winners Portugal (who beat us 2-3) in Eindhoven, runners up Romania (lost 2-3) and beating GERMANY (1-0 Shearer), both in Charleroi. So it wasn't that bad, was it? 

In 2000, England played 11 won 3 drew 4 lost 4 and didn't qualify for the Euro Finals.

The first time England played an international on October 7th was in 1950 against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park, Belfast, with Eddie Baily of Spurs (below) scoring 2 and J Lee and Billy Wright making it 4-1.

The first official England international was played on November 30th 1872 v Scotland but later internationals were also played "towards the end of the season"; i.e. February to March through to the First World War.                    

In the post war period, games were spread through the season; in March with post season tours in late April/May and then individual home nations games meeting in October/November.

The majority of Autumn England internationals were played a little later in October but here are a couple more "October 7ths".                                                                                                                                        

In 2006: v FYR Macedonia at Old Trafford 0-0 in the UEFA Euro Champs Qualifying.                          A month earlier they had beaten FYRM 1-0 in the away tie with a goal from Crouch.

and in 2011: in Podgorica v Montenegro a 2-2 in front of 12,000. UEFA Qualifying. Young and Bent scored. Rooney was sent off after a second yellow and retaliation (remember it?)...a coming together with Dzudovic.