England C: Getting to know Wales’ opponents at The Oval
The annual international fixture between Wales C and England C is set to be played on Tuesday 24 March at Caernarfon Town’s The Oval in the virtual word of Football Manager.
England C manager Paul Fairclough named his 16-man squad which included some of the Vanarama National League’s most in-form players.
Leading up to the international clash at The Oval, we take a look at Wales C’s opponents, England C.
History
England’s international C team is 41 years old, having been formed in 1979.
Previously known as England National Game XI and England Semi-Pro, the squad is made up of English players who play outside the Football League.
Up until 2008, England C competed in the Four Nations Tournament with Scotland and Wales’ C teams as well as Gibraltar.
Since then, they have competed in the International Challenge Trophy and since 2018, have played against Wales C on an annual basis.
Embed from Getty ImagesPrevious Players
A somewhat surprising factor in England C’s history is a recurring link to Cardiff City, with former Wales striker, Steve Morison, who is now the club’s U23’s manager, a former England C international.
Until his injury, Cardiff City’s shining light this season was the form of playmaker Lee Tomlin, who was capped twice by England C back in 2009, whilst playing for Rushden & Diamonds.
Omar Bogle, who is on loan at ADO Den Haag, is another England C international who has gone on to sign for the Bluebirds, after playing for his country in 2014, whilst at Solihull Moors.
From England C international to Wales’ target man, what a story it is that Kieffer Moore, who Cardiff tried to sign in January, turned out for England C just four years ago, whilst at Forest Green Rovers.
Earning caps for England C has been a step in the path of many a player who have gone on to make a name for themselves, notably for striker Andre Gray, who has scored 23 goals in the Premier League for Burnley and Watford respectively.
The Championship has also seen former England C internationals make the step-up, with Stoke City’s Sam Clucas, Hull City’s on-loan playmaker Marcus Maddison and Reading’s Andy Yiadom all flourishing having played for England C, whilst in non-league.
A step-up to League One after playing for England C has been equally successful for Ipswich Town’s strike force of James Norwood and Kayden Jackson, while Shrewsbury Town’s Fejiri Okenabirhie, who scored a hat-trick in 2018’s 3-2 victory over Wales C, has also made the step-up to the Football League.
Embed from Getty ImagesManager
Paul Fairclough was appointed manager of England C back in 2003.
Previously, Fairclough had managed Hertford Town, but then had two spells at Stevenage Borough between 1990 and 2002, managing the club for a total of a decade.
Fairclough led Stevenage Borough to four promotions during his tenure, but they were denied of promotion to the Football League in 1994.
Having been appointed manager of Barnet in 2004, Fairclough juggled the responsibilities of managing his country and the Bees, with whom he won the Conference in his first full season in 2006.
Battling successfully against relegation in the first season in the Football League, Fairclough stepped down as manager of Barnet in December 2008, after winning just three times in the opening four months of the season.
Fairclough has returned to Barnet as caretaker manager on three separate occasions, in 2010, 2011 and 2014.
His vast experience means the opposition’s manager will have a level head going into the clash with Wales C.
Embed from Getty ImagesKey Player
Kabongo Tshimanga has been in fine form for Vanarama National League promotion hopefuls Boreham Wood this season.
Having scored 17 goals in the league this season, Tshimanga is third in the top-scorers list, trailing former The New Saints striker Scott Quigley by three goals.
The Boreham Wood striker caught the eye in a breakout season for Oxford City last year, for whom he scored 24 goals, including a hat-trick in the first round of the FA Cup away at Tranmere Rovers.
With so many England C internationals going on to make a name for themselves in the Football League, like the aforementioned Andre Gray, Kieffer Moore and Lee Tomlin.
Kabongo Tshimanga is the next to be tipped for a big move in the summer and is a player that Wales C must keep quiet if they are to come out victorious at the Oval.
(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)
