The England U18 Schoolboys’ Squad played their first friendly match as a final squad of 18 last Sunday (12 January) against the RAF’s Under 23 team at Oxford City FC. This marked the Schoolboys’ first chance to proudly wear the Three Lions badge and represent their country at the highest level.
With both teams getting off to a strong start, the RAF quickly took a 1 – 0 lead after just 10 minutes. However, after just 27 minutes, the England team fought back and equalised with a goal from Mpongo. The England squad made it 2 – 1 just before the half time break, with Taylor Richardson scoring his first of the season. ESFA players Brad Santos and Carter Lycett, in his second year of representing England at this level, took their turns to score, giving a final result of 4 – 1 to England.
The squad played in their new England away kit, sponsored by newly announced ESFA Principal Partners, Utilita – however, the team will have to wait until Saturday 25 January to be officially presented with their home England shirts at their kit presentation, just prior to their match against Australia Schoolboys. This match will be available to watch live, over on our YouTube channel: ESFA TV. [match information can be found below]
ESFA Chairman Phil Harding said; “We are delighted at the strong start the England U18 Schoolboys have made to their International season in 2020. The team gave a great debut performance at Oxford City and we look forward to our upcoming fixture at Stafford Town FC against Australia on the 25th January. Hopefully their upcoming friendly fixtures will prepare them well for the Centenary Shield matches in the coming months.”
Trials for the ESFA U18 Schoolboys’ began back In October 2019, where players nominated by their counties were whittled down through two stages of regional trials until the official squad was chosen after final trials took place at Rowley Park, Stafford at the start of December.
Spectators are encouraged to come along to Stafford Town FC to catch a first glimpse of the squad in their home kit as they take on the Australia Schoolboys. The match will kick off at 2:30pm.
A summary of the remaining boys’ fixtures can be found below:
| Fixture | Date | Venue |
| England v Australia (friendly) | Saturday 25 January 2020 | Stafford Town FC 2:30pm KO |
| UCFB v England (friendly) | Sunday 1 March 2020 | National Squash Centre, Etihad Campus. 1pm KO |
| Centenary Shield Fixtures | ||
| Wales vs England | Sunday 26 April 2020 | Penybont FC (Bridgend) 2pm KO |
| England vs Scotland | Friday 9 April 2020 | North Ferriby KO TBC |
| Northern Ireland vs England | Friday 27 March 2020 | Venue TBC KO TBC |
| England vs Republic of Ireland | Friday 3 April 2020 | Spennymoor FC KO TBC |
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.