HUDDLE ROUND...
The last time four nations from the British Isles qualified for a major tournament was
way back in 1958. Then, it was England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland who travelled to Sweden to see a 17-year old Pele and an unstoppable Garrincha lead Brazil to their first World Cup victory. Fifty-eight years later, Euro 2016 will see a similar level of British and Irish participation – a fact we celebrate in this issue. England head to France full of optimism according to Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Ross Barkley (p44). And why not? Their recent win over world champions Germany has given the players and a nation (albeit with some trepidation) belief that this could be the one. England’s Group B opponents Wales are equally upbeat, and as Ashley Williams, Joe Ledley and Ben Davies point out, anything’s possible when Gareth Bale is on your side. Republic of Ireland players James Mccarthy, Wes Hoolahan and Seamus Coleman reveal they are relishing the challenge presented by this tournament’s Group of Death, while Northern Ireland manager Michael O’neill says his side are fully embracing their role as fearless underdogs.
All in all, this issue provides four very good reasons to be excited about Euro 2016 – as if you needed any. But before you get started, we wanted to congratulate our readers, who named Kemar Roofe, Bradley Dack and Andre Gray their FFT Football League players of the year before they each claimed the official titles six weeks later. Pat yourselves on the back – you clearly know what you’re talking about.