The England men’s football team is to honour all former players – including Wanderers’ 28 senior England internationals – with a special cap as part of its legacy programme.
In November 2019, and to coincide with the Three Lions’ 1,000th game, the men’s national team introduced legacy numbers; a unique and chronological list dating back to 1872.
Ahead of UEFA EURO 2020, these numbers were symbolised by a red legacy cap that has been presented to all debutants ever since.
While occasional legacy cap presentations to former players have been held – including a EURO 96 reunion at Wembley in March 2024 – the intention is to formalise a roll-out to willing and appropriate recipients.
The FA is now looking to make contact with former players and the close relatives of those no longer with us to help ensure each special velvet cap finds a rightful home.
This mirrors a similar approach to the England women’s squad who launched a legacy number programme around their 50th anniversary in November 2022, with the vast majority of the 233 players to have represented the Lionesses now in receipt of their cap.
To date, there have been 1,290 senior men’s players over the last 153 years, with Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis the most recent debutant in November 2024.
The first goalkeeper, Robert Barker, lays claim to number one, 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore was 804, England’s record appearance-maker and former Wanderers’ goalkeeper, Peter Shilton, is 867, while the nation’s top scorer Harry Kane is 1207.
The legacy programme will be supported by the National Football Museum, with Toye, Kenning & Spencer continuing to produce all commemorative caps for The FA.
Any former players or relatives who are not currently in direct contact with The FA are asked to get in contact via threelionslegacy@thefa.com
Wanderers’ 28 full England internationals, led by ‘Lion of Vienna’ Nat Lofthouse, are:
Kevin Davies (2010), 1 Cap
Gary Cahill (2010-2011), 7 Caps
Michael Ricketts (2002), 1 Cap
Fred Hill (1962), 2 Caps
Ray Parry (1959-1960), 2 Caps
Doug Holden (1959), 5 Caps
Tommy Banks (1958), 6 Caps
Eddie Hopkinson (1957-1959), 14 Caps
John Wheeler (1954), 1 Cap
Harold Hassall (1953), 1 Cap
Mal Barrass (1951-1953), 3 Caps
Nat Lofthouse (1950-1958), 33 Caps
Bob Langton (1950), 2 Caps
George Eastham (1935), 1 Cap
Ray Westwood (1934-1936), 6 Caps
Fred Kean (1929), 2 Caps
Harry Nuttall (1927-1929), 3 Caps
Dick Pym (1925-1926), 3 Caps
Billy Butler (1924), 1 Cap
David Jack (1924-1928), 4 Caps
Jimmy Seddon (1923-1929), 6 Caps
Joe Smith (1913-1920), 5 Caps
Albert Shepherd (1906), 1 Cap
Billy Bannister (1902), 1 Cap
Jimmy Turner (1893), 1 Cap
John Willie Sutcliffe (1893-1901), 4 Caps
David Weir (1889), 2 Caps
Kenny Davenport (1885-1890), 2 Caps
List: englandstats.com