The Legends - England v Ireland - Fry's English Delight

Fry’s English Delight!

Former Birmingham City, Peterborough, Southend and Barnet Manager Barry Fry has spoken of his delight at being named Manager of The England Legends for their game against Ireland at Fulham’s Craven Cottage on Thursday evening.

Fry, who steps into the shoes of former Legends boss Peter Reid, takes charge of a 16-man England Legends squad that faces their Ireland counterparts live on ITV4 for The Johnny Haynes Cup. He commented: “It is the dream of every Englishman to take the reigns of his national team and while Mr. Capello might have the top job, this one’s not far behind. I never thought I’d have the chance to field a team that includes names like Robson, Walker, Merson, Woods, Le Saux, Winterburn, Sharpe and Parlour. This is proper fantasy football! I know that England expects, but I think I am the man to deliver the dreams of a nation and really get country buzzing before the boys take on Kazakhstan at the weekend.”

Fry takes charge of an England Legends squad that earned 395 international caps and scored 39 goals. The England Legends have lifted 15 titles, 18 FA Cups, 11 League Cups, two European Cups and five European Cup Winners Cups. Fry faces Ireland Player/Manager Niall Quinn whose 15-man squad has earned 549 international caps and scored 66 goals, lifted three FA Cups and two European Cup Winners Cups.

Physically, the Irish Legends have the edge, their average age is 42 compared and England’s almost 43. Dermot Gallagher, who, over a 15-year Premier League career, officiated at 378 games, will referee the match.

The Legends: England v Republic of Ireland is the third game in The 2008 Legends Series. The England Legends beat their Scottish counterparts 2-0 at St. Mary’s Stadium Southampton on Thursday May 15th before losing 5-1 to Germany at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane.

Tickets for The Legends: England v Ireland are £14 for adults (over 16) and £8 for OAPs/Students, plus booking fee and available from Fulham Football Club’s Box Office on 0870 442 1234. Transmission for The Legends: England v Ireland will begin at 7pm. All Legends football games operate a ‘Kid-A-Quid’ scheme; all children under 16 will gain entry to The Legends for just £1.

/ENDS/

Current teams
at Tuesday October 7th 2008 1535 GMT

Chris Woods
Nigel Winterburn
Graeme Le Saux
Des Walker
Steve Hodge
Mark Wright
Bryan Robson
Ray Parlour
Paul Merson
Lee Sharpe
Andy Sinton
Paul Walsh
Rob Lee
Luther Blissett

Kelham O'Hanlon
Curtis Fleming
Denis Irwin
Kenny Cunningham
Liam O'Brien
Alan Kernaghan
Jason McAteer
Owen Coyle
Frank Stapleton
Niall Quinn
Alan McGloughlin
Mark Kinsellla
John Byrne
David Kelly
Eddie McGoldrck

Quinn Named As Republic Player/Manager For England/Ireland Legends Fulham Clash

Quinn Named As Republic Player/Manager
For England/Ireland Legends Fulham Clash

Sunderland Chairman Niall Quinn will pull on the green of the Republic of Ireland once again after signing up to become Player/Manager of the Ireland Legends that will face England at Fulham’s Craven Cottage kicking off at 7.45pm on Thursday October 9th, live on ITV4.

Quinn will face an England Legends line-up that includes former skipper Bryan Robson, Paul Merson, Lee Sharpe, Stan Collymore and David Platt. The Sunderland Chairman will take charge, and line-up alongside, the likes of Frank Stapleton, Ray Houghton, Jason McAteer, Denis Irwin and Kenny Cunningham. The two 16-man squads will clash at Fulham for The Johnny Haynes Cup.

The teams unite players who break the 1,000 cap barrier. The 32 former internationals have appeared for their countries a total of 1,067 times and scored 143 international goals. The teams bring with them experience of 18 top flight titles, 24 FA Cup wins, 16 League Cups, two European Cups and eight UEFA Cup Winners Cups.

The teams couldn’t be more evenly matched. The England Legends’ average age is 42.4 compared to Ireland’s 42.3. However, the Ireland squad have far greater experience, earning an average of almost 41 caps a man compared to England’s 26.

Dermot Gallagher, who, over a 15-year Premier League career, officiated at 378 games, will referee the match. The Legends: England v Republic of Ireland is the third game in The 2008 Legends Series. The England Legends beat their Scottish counterparts 2-0 at St. Mary’s Stadium Southampton on Thursday May 15th before losing 5-1 to Germany at Sheffield United’s
Bramall Lane.

Tickets for The Legends: England v Ireland are £14 for adults (over 16) and £8 for OAPs/Students, plus booking fee and available from Fulham Football Club’s Box Office
on 0870 442 1234. Transmission for The Legends: England v Ireland will begin at 7pm. All Legends football games operate a ‘Kid-A-Quid’ scheme; all children under 16 will gain
entry to The Legends for just £1.