Wales’ previous visit to Wembley: Where are they now?

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The news broke last month that Wales will play England in a behind-closed-doors friendly match at Wembley Stadium on 8 October. 

Ryan Giggs’ side face England in between UEFA Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday, 11 October and Bulgaria on Wednesday, 14 October. 

The clash with arch-rivals England will be Wales’ first visit to Wembley Stadium since 2011. 

Under the management of the late Gary Speed, Wales fell to a 1-0 defeat, with Ashley Young scoring the winner, although many felt that Speed’s side deserved a draw for their dogged performance.

In a post-match interview, Speed said, “I’m very, very proud. We knew how the game was going to go.

“We knew England would put us under pressure and we knew we had to hang on in there.

“We knew the last half hour would open up and I thought we controlled the second half.

“We were so comfortable on the ball. We took the game to England and I’m really proud of the players,” Speed added.

“We were unfortunate not to get the result but with the performance and the way the players played, I’m really really proud.”

As Wales return to Wembley Stadium to face England in October, we take a look at Gary Speed’s squad in the 2011 fixture.

Wayne Hennessey

Between the sticks for Wales at Wembley was Wayne Hennessey.

The Bangor-born shot-stopper has since cemented himself as Wales’ first-choice ‘keeper, and is third in the National Team’s all-time appearance list with 89 caps, behind fellow goalkeeper Neville Southall and Chris Gunter.

Hennessey was hugely influential in 2016’s European Championship campaign, where Chris Coleman’s side memorably reached the semi-finals.

Wales’ goalkeeper was equally important in the 2019 qualifying campaign, notably making a brilliant series of saves against Hungary on the night that secured qualification. 

At club level, Hennessey is now in his sixth season at Premier League club Crystal Palace and has made three league appearances this season.

Chris Gunter

Wales’ right-back in the 1-0 defeat at Wembley was Chris Gunter, who has gone on to have a remarkable international career. 

The full-back played a huge part at Euro 2016, memorably crossing for Sam Vokes to head home in the quarter-final against Belgium. 

Gunter is now Wales’ all-time leading appearance-maker, with 96 caps to his name, breaking Neville Southall’s record in a loss to Albania last year. 

The Newport-born defender joined Reading in 2012, but is reportedly set to leave the Royals this summer with claims that Middlesbrough are interested.

Ashley Williams

In similar vein to Chris Gunter, Ashley Williams has tasted success on the international stage since the 2011 fixture against England at Wembley.

Coleman made the bold decision a year after the fixture to replace Aaron Ramsey as captain with Ashley Williams in what turned out to be a masterstroke.

Williams was a rock for Wales at Euro 2016, scoring the equaliser in the quarter-final against Belgium and left Swansea for Everton promptly after the national team’s success.

After failing to cement a starting place at Goodison Park, Williams joined Championship strugglers Stoke City on loan, before joining Bristol City on a permanent deal in August 2019 and is currently still with the Robins.

Darcy Blake

Partnering Ashley Williams at centre-back was Darcy Blake. 

The defender, who was in his penultimate season at Cardiff City at the time, did an impressive job of marking England striker Wayne Rooney, who scored 34 goals in 43 games during that season.

Blake went on to feature 14 times for Wales, in addition to making 90 appearances for Cardiff City. 

The defender last played for Newport County in 2014, before dropping out of the professional game. 

Neil Taylor

Neil Taylor started at left-back for Wales in the 2011 defeat to England.

The left-back was a goalscorer in the 2016 European Championship campaign, netting the second goal in a 3-0 group stage win over Russia.

At club level, Taylor made 160 appearances for Swansea City, having signed for the club from Wrexham in 2010.

The defender is now playing in the Premier League for Aston Villa and has 43 international caps to his name.

Gareth Bale

At the time of the fixture against England at Wembley, Gareth Bale’s influence on the international stage was growing and he has since cemented his status as Wales’ best player.

Bale was a star performer in the 2016 European Championship, scoring in each group game against Slovakia, England and Russia.

At club level, Bale starred for Tottenham Hostpur, earning the PFA Young Player of the Year and PFA Player of the Year in the 2013 season.

Bale’s form for Spurs earned him a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, where he has four Champions League medals to his name. 

After falling out of favour under Zinedine Zidane, Bale’s next move is unknown but remains a key figure in the national team. 

Andrew Crofts

Industrious midfielder Andrew Crofts was given a start by Gary Speed in the clash with England at Wembley.

During his club career, Crofts helped Norwich to promotion to the Premier League in his first season at the club. 

The midfielder later fell out of favour at Carrow Road and re-joined Brighton, where he spent the following four seasons. 

Crofts had brief spells at Scunthorpe United, Newport County and Yeovil Town, before recently returning to Brighton as a player-coach of the U23’s.

Jack Collison

Talented midfielder Jack Collison certainly would have made more than fifteen appearances for Wales had is not been for injuries.

Collison was named West Ham United’s Young Player of the Year in 2009 and made over 100 appearances for the Hammers, but was held back by a recurring knee injury. 

After spells at Bournemouth, Wigan Athletic, Ipswich Town and Peterborough United, Collison was forced into early retirement in 2016, at the age of 27.

Since his retirement, Collison has been a coach at Peterborough U21’s, Peterborough U18’s, West Ham United U16’s, before joining MLS side Atlanta United as a coach in June 2019.

Aaron Ramsey

Like many in Gary Speed’s squad to face England in 2011, Aaron Ramsey went on to become a key part on the international stage. 

Ramsey was hugely influential in the 2016 European Championship campaign, scoring the opener in the 3-0 win over Russia. 

For his form in the tournament, Ramsey was named in the Euro 2016 Team of the Tournament. 

The Juventus playmaker also made his mark when he returned to the international side from injury, scoring twice against Hungary to secure qualification. 

Ramsey is now plying his trade in Italy with Juventus, despite reports linking him with a return to the Premier League.

Joe Ledley

Also operating in midfield against England in 2011 was Joe Ledley. 

Another player who went on to star for Wales in Euro 2016, Ledley was hugely important to Chris Coleman’s side, forming a strong midfield partnership with Joe Allen.

Having tasted success at Celtic after his move from Cardiff City in 2010, the midfielder opted to sign for Crystal Palace in 2014 and joined Derby County three years later. 

After making just one appearance for Charlton Athletic this season, Ledley signed for Newcastle Jets of the A-League in February 2020. 

Steve Morison

Manager Gary Speed opted to select Steve Morison up front against England. 

The striker, despite playing eight games for England C, went on to make twenty appearances for Wales, scoring once. 

Finishing his career at Millwall and Shrewsbury Town, Morison retired in October 2019 to take a coaching role at Northampton Town.

The former Wales striker is now leading-coach of Cardiff U23’s.

Substitutes

Andy King

With Wales 1-0 down, manager Gary Speed opted to bring on Andy King in the 85^th minute, replacing fellow midfielder Jack Collison.

King has gone on to make 50 caps for his country and was a part of Chris Coleman’s Euro 2016 squad.

The midfielder also played his part in Leicester City’s fairytale triumph of the Premier League in 2016.

After loan spells at Swansea City, Derby County, Rangers and Huddersfield Town, Andy King is set to leave Leicester this summer, after fourteen years of service.

Robert Earnshaw

One of Gary Speed’s two substitutions in the defeat to England was the introduction of Robert Earnshaw in the 68^thminute, replacing Steve Morison.

The striker had a glorious opportunity to equalise late on for Wales, but agonisingly fired over the bar.

Earnshaw is mostly recognised for his time at Nottingham Forest, Norwich City and Cardiff City. 

The striker also had a series of short spells towards the end of his career with the likes of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Toronto FC, Blackpool, Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps. 

Earnshaw is now retired and is beginning his career in coaching.

Boaz Myhill

Providing back-up to Wayne Hennessey for manager Gary Speed was Boaz Myhill. 

The goalkeeper made 19 appearances in a Wales shirt, retiring in May 2014. 

At club level, Myhill played an impressive tally of 257 games for Hull City, before leaving the club in 2010 to sign for West Bromwich Albion.

Myhill spent nine years at the Baggies, retiring from professional football in 2019, as he became the club’s Development Goalkeeper Coach. 

Danny Collins

One of five unused substitutes for Wales in the defeat to England was Danny Collins. 

The centre-back was plying his trade for Stoke City, having gained promotion to the Premier League with the Potters in 2008.

Collins went on to have spells at Nottingham Forest and Rotherham United, before making over 100 appearances for his final club, Grimsby Town. 

Danny Collins is now retired, having earned 12 caps for Wales.

James Collins

Similarly to Danny Collins, James Collins provided defensive cover from the bench against England in 2011. 

Collins went on to have a good career at international level, making 51 caps, as well as playing his part in Wales’ Euro 2016 campaign. 

At club level, Newport-born Collins spent a total of ten years at West Ham United, before a brief spell at Ipswich Town in 2019.

The defender is currently without a club, having been released by the Tractor Boys at the end of last season.

Joe Allen

An unused substitute in Wales’ last fixture at Wembley, Joe Allen has since cemented his place on the international stage.

Allen has grown into arguably Wales’ most important player and certainly excelled at Euro 2016.

After four years at Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp deemed Allen surplus to requirements, allowing him to join his current club, Stoke City. 

Despite operating in the Championship, many Wales fans believe Allen is capable of stepping up to the Premier League, with West Ham reportedly interested. 

Hal Robson-Kanu

Another who has gone on to have a glittering international career, Hal Robson-Kanu certainly played his part in the Euro 2016 campaign.

Robson-Kanu scored the winner in the opening game against Slovakia, before making the headlines for his sublime goal against Belgium in the quarter-final. 

The versatile attacker has since retired from international football, but came out of retirement and made himself available to Ryan Giggs for selection this year.

Robson-Kanu has had a positive season for Championship high-flyers West Bromwich Albion, with ten league goals to his name.

(Featured Image: Wikiolo)