TURKEY, CROSS AND O'NEILL

England v Turkey, 20 April 1966 - 11v11 match reporthttps://www.11v11.com › matches

All facts and features have been researched from a variety of resources, relying on Wikipedia and others. I have edited these to suit this Blog's needs.

The Turkish national team's first senior match was on October 26, 1923 against Romania; it ended in a 2–2 draw. Turkey has qualified for the finals of the FIFA World Cup twice, in 1954 and 2002 when the country had its greatest success, coming third. Turkey also finished third in the 2003 Confederations Cup, reached the semi-finals of Euro 2008 and played in the quarter-finals of Euro 2000. Here are their matches v England:

14 Nov 1984	Turkey v England	W	0-8	FIFA World Cup
16 Oct 1985	England v Turkey	W	5-0	FIFA World Cup
29 Apr 1987	Turkey v England	D	0-0	UEFA European Championship
14 Oct 1987	England v Turkey	W	8-0	UEFA European Championship
01 May 1991	Turkey v England	W	0-1	UEFA European Championship
16 Oct 1991	England v Turkey	W	1-0	UEFA European Championship
18 Nov 1992	England v Turkey	W	4-0	FIFA World Cup
31 Mar 1993	Turkey v England	W	0-2	FIFA World Cup
02 Apr 2003	England v Turkey	W	2-0	UEFA European Championship
11 Oct 2003	Turkey v England	D	0-0	UEFA European Championship
22 May 2016	England v Turkey	W	2-1	International Friendly

The first game between the two nations however, was an Under 23 international on April 20th 1966; a 2-0 win for England at Ewood Park. George Armstrong got both! A crowd of just over 9,000 attended. Team: Alex Stepney, Len Badger, Bobby Thompson (capt), George Armstrong, Martin Peters, Ernie Hunt, Mick Jones, Mike Summerbee, Alan Birchenall, Graham Cross, Brian O'Neill, these two both county cricketers.

Graham Frederick Cross is the record appearance holder for Leicester City, making 599 appearances for the club in all competitions, between 1961 and 1976, including two FA Cup Finals and two League Cup Finals. He went on to join Brighton, a promotion club to the Second Division in 1977 and then Preston NE. He made the record number of appearances for the England Under 23 side but never made a full international appearance.

He also represented Leicestershire as a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler between 1961 and 1977. In 83 first-class matches, he scored 2,079 runs (average 18.39), highest score 78 with eight fifties and 61 catches. He took 92 wickets (average 29.95), best bowling 4/28. In 51 ListA matches, he scored 701 runs (average 20.61), highest score 57* with three fifties and 17 catches. He took 63 wickets (average 20.23), best bowling 4/11.

Appearing irregularly because of his football commitments, Cross was nevertheless a good enough player to find a place in Ray Illingworth's successful county side of the late '70s. Cross's last appearance came when the side was stricken by illness in May 1977. A scratch side had to be assembled to play Hampshire at Grace Road in the B&H Cup. Showing his habitual adaptability, he kept wicket for the only time during his career.

Brian O'Neill was a Burnley player (235 apps) and then played at Southampton 149 apps and Huddersfield Town 61 apps. He finished as player-manager of Bideford Town!