With Rob Holding’s inclusion into the England Under 21 squad, we look back at other Wanderers to represent the Young Lions
News came through yesterday of Rob Holding’s call-up to the England Under 21 squad for the upcoming Toulon Festival, replacing Brendan Galloway.
It’s a good boost for both the player, and being a bit cynical, his valuation. All Wanderers fans will be delighted for the young man.
He isn’t the first Bolton player to represent the Young Lions though. We look back in this article at some recent call-ups.
Marvin Sordell
Sordell got 14 caps and scored three goals in his time playing under Stuart Pearce. He made his debut in 2011, coming on as a substitute at Vicarage Road while he was still a Watford player. He scored only competitive goal, in a U21 Euro qualifier against Iceland
He was in the squad for the 2013 finals, but didn’t find the net, in a starting appearance against Italy or as a substitute against hosts Israel, as England went out at the group stage without a win.
Sordell also represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics.
He is now at Colchester United, who were relegated from League One last season.
Fabrice Muamba
Muamba was regular fixture in the team for four years. He made 33 appearances, making his debut in 2007 while a Birmingham City player. He played at the Euros in both 2009 and 2011 while a Wanderer. In the first of those tournaments, England reached the final, but were then dismantled 4-0 by Germany.
Daniel Sturridge
Sturridge made 15 appearances in which he score four goals. Some of them, and goals against Denmark and Norway, came in the spring of 2011 while he was on loan at the Reebok from Chelsea.
After his loan spell, he went to the 2011 Euros, where he failed to score, but has since gone on to full international level.
Kevin Nolan
Unfairly never given at least one call up to the England squad. He got little attention from the Under-21 set up too, making just two appearances between 2002 and 2004. We appreciated him though.
Nicky Hunt
Unable to field a full side of Nicky Hunts, the FA resorted to calling up just the one Nicky Hunt. He made his debut in 2004 against the Netherlands at the KC Stadium, where England ran out 3-2 winners.
He made a number of appearnces over the following two years, but England never played at a tournament during his spell.
The Reebok Stadium
And the last time an Under 21 international was played in Bolton was in September 2002, when just over 10,000 fans turned up to see England draw 1-1 with Yugoslavia.
If Holding gets on the field at Toulon, you’ll be able to watch him if you’re one of the 34 people who have BT Sport