It does not matter if you were an adult, child or not even born when Euro 96 took place (fucking young and your youth), all fans in England know when football almost came home.
After Bobby Robson had led the three lions to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup, there was great optimism that they could build on their success thanks to Paul Gascoigne’s magical talent – it did not quite go as they had hoped.
England team ahead of their semi-final match with Germany / Stu Forster / Getty Images
England finished bottom of their group at Euro 92 – failed to win a single game and collected a lone goal in their three group trips – and the worst had not yet come as they did not even qualify for World Cup 94.
Euro 96 represented something of a fresh start for the Three Lions, a chance to correct the mistakes of recent years and best of all the competition would take place in front of their own fans.
We’re sure you all know how it ended – and let’s be honest, losing to Germany on penalties would be your first guess if you did not know – yet, despite the fact that Terry Venable’s men could not win England’s big tournament. hoodoo, the players from that squad became national heroes – until club football started up at least.
So here’s a little trip down the memory field when we remember England’s Euro 96 squad before we look at where they are now.
David Seaman was England’s number one for Euro 96 / Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
England’s undisputed number one for the tournament, David Seaman played every minute of Venable’s side in the later rounds and was the key to the quarter – final triumph over Spain on penalties.
The former Arsenal stopper has had an interesting retirement, with his Dancing on Ice appearance a special highlight. He is now back in the match as a goalkeeper at London-based Wembley FC.
Tim Flowers at Blackburn Rovers / Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
Such was the sailor’s form of club and country, Tim Flowers barely got a kick for the Three Lions even though he was a brilliant goalkeeper in himself.
The former Blackburn man has earned 11 caps for his country and has turned his hand to the management since retiring, although his most recent job did not go so well when he left Barnet in March after losing 11 of his 12 matches at the helm.
Ian Walker at Tottenham Hotspur / Getty Images / Getty Images
Ian Walker suffered a similar fate as Flowers in his international career, winning just four internationals throughout his career.
Quite surprisingly, Walker is currently a goalkeeping coach at Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Port.
Gary Neville competes away from Stuart McCall / Getty Images / Getty Images
Gary Neville had only just established himself as Manchester United’s first-back since Euro 96 started, although Venables showed faith in the child and threw him into the deep end.
If you do not know what Neville is doing today, it is probably pointless to read this article because you do not get to know much about football. Sky-pundit is currently trying to save European football from Florentino Perez and he is doing a pretty good job with it.
Phil Neville represents England / Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
With the look, Phil Neville shook a lockdown child before we even heard about coronavirus.
United help did not kick off at Euro 96 but he landed on his feet in the lead after moving to David Beckham’s MLS side Inter Miami after a spell at the helm of the England Women’s team.
Tony Adams was captain of England at Euro 96 / Stu Forster / Getty Images
Tony Adams was a phenomenal midfielder and he was captain of England to Euro 96.
Since he hung up his boots, he has become an internet experience after a video emerged that he took a rather odd workout.
His management resume so far is one of the strangest you will ever see with Wycombe Wanderers, Portsmouth, Granada and Azerbaijani side Gabala FK on his record.
An image of Gareth Southgate etched into England fans / Stu Forster / Getty Images
See the Gary Neville episode which asks “why are you reading this if you do not know what this man is doing?”
Gareth Southgate played every minute of England’s Euro 96 campaign and his missed penalty against Germany in the semi-finals cost the Three Lions their shot to go all the way.
He is now the finest vest wearer in the world and future European Championship and World Cup winner in England … obviously.
Steve Howey representing England in the mid 90’s / Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
If you were asked to name the entire England 22 squad for Euro 96, Steve Howey is possibly a name you would forget.
The former Newcastle defender had a brief lead with Crook Town as early as 2006, and his most recent known role was as head coach of East Durham College’s team.
He has definitely not appeared in Shameless – despite what Google can tell you.
A young Sol Campbell at Tottenham / Clive Mason / Getty Images
Sol Campbell had spent a few seasons in Tottenham’s first team when Euro 96 came, although he only got a come-from-behind appearance from the bench against Scotland in the tournament.
The outspoken midfielder has since taken the lead and after a relatively successful time with Macclesfield – which ended on sour terms with Campbell claiming the club owed him money – he moved to Southend where he left after the club’s relegation to League Two.
A picture of Stuart Pearce that England fans will never forget / Getty Images / Getty Images
No one will ever forget that image of Stuart Pearce blowing up his penalty against Spain to redeem himself after his kick-miss at the 1990 World Cup.
Pearce also moved into management after his retirement from the game and currently works as part of David Moye’s backroom staff at West Ham.
Darren Anderton tries a volley against Switzerland / MARTYN HAYHOW / Getty Images
Darren Anderton started every single one of England’s five excursions at Euro 96 and was incredibly injured once!
After a few brief appearances as an expert on foreign TV channels, Anderton seems to have taken a step back from the game. Probably damaged.
Nick Barmby during his time with England / Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Nick Barmby only managed a replacement appearance at Euro 96 against Spain in the quarterfinals.
Like Anderton, Barmby seems to have disappeared from the football world since leaving his post as Hull City manager in 2012, although his son Jack Barmby is now a professional and most recently played for the American side Phoenix Rising 2020.
Paul Ince before England’s conflict with the Netherlands / Stu Forster / Getty Images
Paul Ince’s only missed game at Euro 96 came against Spain when David Platt entered the midfield.
Ince managed a number of lower league clubs before getting his big break on Premier League side Blackburn, although it did not end well and he was fired after only 21 league games in hot seats.
It is unclear if he wants to return to the game but at the moment he seems happy to work as an expert.
David Platt played for England before Euro 96 / Anton Want / Getty Images
David Platt was one of the senior statesmen in Venable’s squad and he played a big role when he scored from the penalty spot against both Spain and Germany.
The former Arsenal midfielder managed a number of teams, including Sampdoria, Nottingham Forest and England under the age of 21, but his time in the game seems to be over and he is now the head of an amateur children’s team.
Paul Gascoigne was great at Euro 96 / Getty Images / Getty Images
Where should you start with what this man has been doing since he went to football?
One of the most colorful characters ever to play the game, Paul Gascoigne’s volley against Scotland will live long in the memory of all England fans.
Gazza has had his problems with mental illness and drinking in recent years, although he seems to be on the road to recovery, which we are sure we can all agree is good news.
Jamie Redknapp from Liverpool / Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
Redknapp’s only appearance at Euro 96 was as a substitute against Scotland, and he took care of himself later in the match …
These days he is busy being the best dressed man on TV and seems to be looking better for the day.
Steve Stone played against Norway before Euro 96 / Ross Kinnaird / Getty Images
What happened to naked football players? They were the cornerstone of the game in the 90’s and we need them back now.
Steve Stone played three weeks at Euro 96 and is currently the coach of Burnley’s youth team.
Steve McManaman from England / Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
It’s easy to forget how brilliant Steve McManaman was as a player.
There were not many finer sights than that he ran with the ball at his feet in full fur and he was an integral part of Venable’s team.
Now he is a co-commentator on BT Sport – and it is fair to say that he shares the opinion when he covers games.
The Productive Alan Shearer / Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
Much of the optimism surrounding England’s chances at Euro 96 was due to this man.
Alan Shearer had scored 31 goals in 35 games for Blackburn last season and he carried his brilliant form into the European Championships, scoring in every group game and hitting a total of five in five games.
Shearer, who was recently inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, spends most of his time as an expert and laments Newcastle United’s recent misery.
Teddy Sheringham celebrates one of his two strikes against the Netherlands / Getty Images / Getty Images
England had some brilliant strikers in the mid-90s, and Teddy Sheringham was certainly one of them.
Deception, creativity and awareness among those around him, the front man was superb at Euro 96 and his stay against the Netherlands helped the Three Lions to a memorable 4-1 victory.
These days, he’s happy to dress like a tree on The Masked Singer.
Les Ferdinand of England / Gary M. Prior / Getty Images
Which player Les Ferdinand was, yet the fact that he never played a minute of football at Euro 96 shows how good Shearer and Sheringham were.
Ferdinand is currently the head of football at QPR after running the club temporarily back in 2015.
Robbie Fowler during his time with Liverpool / Michael Cooper / Getty Images
Robbie Fowler did a little better than Ferdinand in terms of playing time at Euro 96, but even then he only played about 25 minutes over two substitutions.
The Liverpool striker was completely deadly in the mid-90s and his career took him all over the world when he reached the twilight of his playing days.
Since hanging up his boots, his leadership career has not been any different and he is currently the head of the Indian side of East Bengal.
