This Wednesday, Brisbane Road will host international football for the first time since 2013 - but this time E10 will host England C as they face Estonia U23 in a friendly. In this article, Everything Orient will give you an introduction to England C and some reasons to come down to the Orient on Wednesday night.
Who are England C?
Formed in 1979, England C team is a team that represents England made up of players who play at non-league level, typically under the age of 23 and in the National Leagues (conference, south and north).
There matches are played at non-league grounds up and down the country and they usually play friendlies against U23 teams and countries with similar sets ups. For example, Irish Amateurs and Wales C.
They have won the Four Nations tournament seven times, a competition made up of teams from Scotland, Gibraltar & Wales, they have also played at three International Challenge Trophy finals.
The Team
The team is managed by former Barnet and Stevenage manager Paul Fairclough, a post he has held since 2003. Fairclough has selected a 16 man squad for the Estonia friendly. Two of these from Orient, Josh Koroma and Marvin Ekpiketa, who has been rewarded with a call-up after being in great form for Orient so far this season.
Also in the squad is young Laurence Maguire, brother of England star and Leicester City centre back Harry Maguire. Furthermore, Laurence plays as a centre back for National League side Chesterfield and has made 45 career appearances for the Spireities this year.
Also in the Team is two former O's from recent years, Jerome Binnom Williams (now at Chesterfield) who was on loan at E10 in 2016 during Kevin Nolan's spell as manager. I remember the young right back started many games such as Notts County away where we won 1-0. Also Josh Taylor who was a trialist in last years pre-season, doing well against the likes of Harlow Town and Burnham Ramblers but opted for a move to Sutton will feature.
The two National League North players that feature in the squad are Ed Williams of Kidderminster Harriers and Kurt Willoughby of FC United of Manchester. Also featuring in the side is Fonguck who scored for Barnet in their 3-1 defeat at Orient, Tommy Wright of Sutton withdrew from the squad through injury in their 1-0 win at Leyton Orient and is sadly out for the rest of the season.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers:
Ryan Huddart (Boreham Wood)
Ben Klipp (Braintree Town)
Defence:
Jerome Binnom Williams (Chesterfield)
Marvin Ekpiketa (Leyton Orient)
Laurence Maguire (Chesterfield)
Jon Mellish (Gateshead)
Robbie Tinkler (Gateshead)
Midfield:
Ryan Croasdale (AFC Fylde)
Wesley Fonguck (Barnet)
James Hardy (AFC Fylde)
Josh Taylor (Sutton United)
Ed Williams (Kidderminster Harriers)
Forwards:
Josh Koroma (Leyton Orient)
Luke James (Hartlepool united)
Kurt Willoughby (FC United of Manchester)
Tommy Wright (withdrew through injury)
Recent Results
England C 0-4 Slovakia | International Challenge Trophy | 8/11/17
Wales C 2-3 England C | Friendly | 20/3/18
Irish Amateurs 4-2 England C | Friendly | 27/5/18
Sam Ling and Josh Koroma of Orient both played in the 3-2 victory against Wales, Koroma also played in the defeat to Ireland.
Reasons To Come
I'm really looking forward to Wednesday, it's not every day you see the national team at your own stadium. Despite only the west stand being opened, i'd recommend and encourage anyone who is free on Wednesday night to come down and cheer on the boys, including Koroma & Ekpiketa who are representing the club.
Also I feel it will be a good game, its an U23 team so its the next generation of players going into the Estonia national side. They could be playing England senior in 5 years, so it could be a great night of football under the Leyton lights.
Also it's a first England C have played at Orient, the first international game since Jamaica played there in 2013, so it should be a memorable and historic night. I'd like to see over a 1000 there on the night. Also its only a fiver and kids go free, more reason to come along,
FOOTBALL IS COMING HOME.
Tickets
Tickets are still available, the West Stand is open on the night, in the event of a sell out the North Stand might be open, who knows. Tickets are 5 pound, Seniors (65 over) and Kids U18 go free.
Comments