Thursday 23rd September
The Legends: England v Ireland
16-man squads for Fulham International announced

With just under three weeks remaining until The Legends: England v Ireland kicks off at Fulham’s Craven Cottage, no less than 18 former international have added their names to the 16-man squads that will take the pitch live on ITV4 on Thursday October 9th.

For England, former England Captain David Platt, Liverpool striker Stan Collymore, Premiership winner Graham Le Saux, FA Cup winning goalkeeper Dave Beasant, Forest midfielder Steve Stone and QPR’s Andy Sinton have joined Arsenal trio Paul Merson, Ray Parlour and Nigel Winterburn alongside Manchester United duo Bryan Robson and Lee Sharpe. World Cup Italia ’90 hero Des Walker, World Cup ’86 World Cup quarter finalists Steve Hodge, European Cup winner Chris Woods and League Championship winner Paul Walsh complete Peter Reid’s 16-man squad.

The Republic of Ireland’s 16-man squad will include Celtic’s Legendary keeper Packie Bonner, Leeds’ Gary Kelly and John Sheridan, Liverpool’s Phil Babb, Steve Staunton, Jason McAteer and Ray Houghton, Marseille striker Tony Cascarino, Manchester United and Arsenal frontman Frank Stapleton, Everton’s Kevin Sheedy and Sheffield United’s Alan Kelly. The new additions join Manchester United full back Dennis Irwin, Arsenal and Crystal Palace midfielder Eddie McGoldrick, Charlton midfielder Mark Kinsella, Middlesbrough defender Alan Kernaghan and West Ham, Newcastle and Sunderland striker David Kelly.

In terms of age, the 16-man squads are evenly matched. England has an average age of 39.37 compared to Ireland’s 39.12. However, in terms of international caps, Ireland has a sizeable advantage, earning 757 compared to England’s 367, or 47 per player to 23.

The Legends: England v Republic of Ireland, which kicks off at 7.45pm, is the third game in The 2008 Legends Series. The England Legends beat their Scottish counterparts 2-0 at St. Mary’s Stadium Southampton on Thursday May 15th before losing 5-1 to Germany at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane.

Tickets for The Legends: England v Ireland are £14 for adults (over 16) and £8 for OAPs/Students, plus booking fee and available from Fulham Football Club’s Box Office on 0870 442 1234. Transmission for The Legends: England v Ireland will begin at 7pm. All Legends football games operate a ‘Kid-A-Quid’ scheme; all children under 16 will gain entry to The Legends for just £1.