Worst 50 England Internationals- Bardsley/Sinton!

[QPR Report]

That's not the view others have said! "...44. David Bardsley (2 caps - 1992 - 1993)Defender was capped twice by then England boss Graham Taylor in 1992 but that was thought to be down to the fact that he used to manage him at Watford. Bardsley was playing at QPR at the time but never appeared for England again.

Daily Mail - The List: Sportsmail's worst ever England international footballers Nos 50-41

Who is the worst ever England international?

You have to wonder how some players were paid to kick a ball, let alone being given the honour of wearing the Three Lions. The award of whose cap is enough to spark an international incident for you? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK With England's World Cup qualifier against Croatia on the horizon, Sportsmail looks at the worst players to have pulled on a shirt for the Three Lions.

Will goalkeeper Scott Carson's terrible fumble spring to mind? Or Carlton Palmer, perhaps? Or should Seth Johnson or Michael Ricketts never have played international football?

Take a look at our list of the top 50 worst ever England international footballers and tell us what you think.

50. Tony Cottee (7 caps - 1986 - 1989)
The former West Ham, Everton and Leicester striker broke into the England team while with the Hammers but - despite his impressive goalscoring record in the League - he never found the back of the net for his country and made just seven appearances in three years.
50: Tony Cottee

49. Gary Birtles (3 caps - 1980) After winning two European Cup winners' medals with Nottingham Forest, the centre forward was called up to the England team. But he failed to make an impact in three appearances and after joining Manchester United for £1.25m in 1980, where he was also disappointing, he returned to Forest.
49: Gary Birtles

48. Jeff Blockley (1 cap - 1972)The defender was called by England just days after moving to Arsenal from Coventry City in 1972 but the 1-1 draw against Yugoslavia proved to be his only cap. He stay at Arsenal was also unsuccessful and Bertie Mee later said signing Blockley was the worst mistake he ever made as manager.
48: Jeff Blockley

47. Alan Smith (13 caps - 1988 - 1992)Smith had eight largely successful seasons at Arsenal but his international career was less auspicious. He scored just two goals in 13 appearances and is probably best remembered for being a member of the England side that failed so miserably in Euro'92.
47: Alan Smith

46. Colin Cooper (2 caps - 1995) Cooper's form in defence for Nottingham Forest earned him a call-up to the England in 1995. But he failed to make a impression and made just two appearances. He is now assistant manager at Middlesbrough.
46: Colin Cooper

45. David Hirst (3 caps 1991 - 1992)
Sheffield United striker was called up for England's tour of Australasia in 1991 but had mixed fortunes. He was subbed at half-time in the first game against Australia but scored his only England goal in the second match against New Zealand. Hirst earned just one cap afterwards and played upfront alongside Alan Shearer against France at Wembley.
45: David Hirst

44. David Bardsley (2 caps - 1992 - 1993)Defender was capped twice by then England boss Graham Taylor in 1992 but that was thought to be down to the fact that he used to manage him at Watford. Bardsley was playing at QPR at the time but never appeared for England again.

43. Joe Corrigan (9 caps - 1976 - 1982) Goalkeeper Corrigan made nine appearances for England while playing at Manchester City (pictured shaking sacked City boss Malcolm Allison's hand following his departure in 1980). He was part of England's 1982 World Cup squad but found his chances limited due to the form of Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence.

43: Joe Corrigan

42. Mike Pejic (4 caps - 1974)Former Stoke City, Everton and Aston Villa player made four appearances for England. His father was Serbian but he qualified to play for England as his mother was English. He was reportedly dropped by Joe Mercer because he didn't smile enough'.

41. Michael Gray (3 caps - 1999)
Gray made his debut for England against Hungary in 1999 after being picked by Kevin Keegan despite the fact he was playing in the First Division for Sunderland. He also went on to play against Sweden and Bulgaria and became the last outfield player from outside the top-flight to play for England until Preston's David Nugent in 2007.

Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1211522/The-List-Sportsmails-worst-England-international-footballers.html#ixzz0QOylR6QE



www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1211522/The-List-Sportsmails-worst-England-international-footballers.html

[cpr]

Bl00dy cheek!

[gavqpr77]

Solid defender and great crosser of a ball. Better than that s**t Glen Johnson!!

[oldhoop]

I was never a fan of DB. One trick pony who moaned endlessly and always thought he was better than he actually was.

[londonranger]

He actually played pretty well in those games as I remember.

[londonranger]

How about 50 worst newspapers.

[cpr]

Oldhoop, how many right backs would you put ahead of the one trick pony then, with names obviously?

If I got a couple of England caps and played for a half decent Rangers team I think I might think I was better than others might think I was.

[QPR Report]

31-40

40. Richard Wright (2 caps, 2001-2002)
The current generation of England goalkeepers is acknowledged as being the worst.

To compound things there has been a succession of 'nearly men' who have shown great potential but delivered precisely nothing.
Spot of bother: Richard Wright fails to keep out David Carabott's penalty for world footballing minnows Malta during his infamous debut in 2000
Wright is a decent keeper but nowhere near as good as we thought he would be. Left Ipswich to move to Arsenal, returned a few years later with his tail between his legs.


39. David Bentley (7 caps, 2007-2008)
The similarities with David Beckham start and finish with the fact they're both called David. That's it. Don't mention hair or looks or dead-ball capabilities.
Falling star: David Bentley was tormented by the England boo-boys by England fans after rejecting a call-up to the Under-21s
For all his natural ability it's difficult to forget that Arsene Wenger gladly let him go from Arsenal, and Wenger doesn't let quality players leave the Emirates without a fight.

His seven appearances for the national side have been wholly forgettable, too.


38. Dave Beasant (2 caps, 1989)
Beasant squeezed himself a couple of England caps on the basis of being able to kick the ball far. Sums it up, really.

The dropping of a bottle of salad cream on his foot was pure farce but the real joke was that he was ever Peter Shilton's understudy.
Double trouble: Dave Beasant and Luther Blissett (R) failed to impress for England


37. Luther Blissett (14 caps, 1982-1984)
His international career may have started well - all three of his international goals came in one game - but the fact he went on to win just 14 caps speaks volumes.

His move to AC Milan coincided with a total draining of confidence from the target-man and the tabloids nicknamed him Luther Miss-it. Genius.


36. Gary Bailey (2 caps, 1985)
The Manchester United goalkeeper will be remembered for playing up until what seemed like his thirties in the under-21 side.

Bailey was given two opportunities in friendlies but conceded in both and won the nickname 'Dracula' due to his inability to deal with crosses.

Two counts: Gary Bailey (R) was nicknamed 'Dracula' for his inability to deal comfortably with crosses while Danny Mills had an odd attitude towards football


35. Danny Mills (19 caps, 2001-2004)
Mills made the strange admission in an interview that he disliked football and would never watch it once he stopped playing.

Despite the odd attitude he manged 19 caps and angered many budding footballers by playing every minute of England's 2002 World Cup campaign prompting the question on many people's lips - 'why not me?'


34. Paul Robinson (41 caps, 2003-2009)
Blackburn's Robbo was the man to answer all England fan's cries for a solid goalkeeper who wouldn't make daft mistakes like all the others.
Jeepers keepers: Once revered as the definitive No 1 - before costly mistakes in some key England internationals sent him spiralling into the international abyss

The former Leeds and Spurs man's career took a nose-dive after his play and a miss at Gary Neville's back-pass in the World Cup qualifier against Croatia.


33. Alan Smith (19 caps, 2001-2007)
The general consensus seems to be that it's his attitude that jars people when they realise he won 19 caps with the Three Lions.
Red midst: Alan Smith's dismissal in the Euro 2004 qualifier with Macedonia was a particular low-point in the former Manchester United player's 19-cap career

Hardly known for the calmness of his temperament, Smith was sent off in the shambles that was the Euro 2004 qualifier draw with Macedonia.


32. Dion Dublin (4 caps, 1998)Was it ever likely that Dublin was going to score the goals that beat world-class opposition?
Stage fright: Dion Dublin failed to find his club-form on the international scene

OK, a harsh question but the former Manchester United, Aston Villa and Cambridge United striker made his debut in the same match as Michael Owen and their careers over the following years had slightly different trajectories.


31. Lee Bowyer (1 cap, 2002)
We can safely say that Lee Bowyer will never be the most popular figure in football.

His checkered career is typified by an FA ruling stating that he could not appear for the national side while he had a court case hanging over him.
Gone in 90 minutes: Bowyer takes on Luis Figo in his solitary England appearance

The fact he managed to pilfer an England cap does not encourage anger, just bemusement.


Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1211765/THE-LIST-40-31-worst-England-international-footballers.html#ixzz0QUfDvG5n

[QPR Report]

30. Earl Barrett (3 caps, 1991-1993)
His form for Oldham earned him the call-up to Graham Taylor's England team but, like many, failed to provide answers to the troublesome right-back position.

Never played in any matches of worth - just those pointless summer 'tournaments.'
Right (left) back in the changing room: Earl Barrett and Paul Konchesky failed to shine at full-back position during their brief stint playing for England

29. Paul Konchesky (2 caps, 2003-2005)
The Fulham full-back ade his debut in the shocker of a friendly that was the 3-1 defeat to Australia at Upton Park.

Featured as a sub in another friendly against Argentina a couple of years later. That was it.


28. James Beattie (5 caps, 2003)
It must have been hard playing in the same era as Shearer and Owen but, really, was Beattie ever considered a genuine replacement for 'Sir' Alan?
Beat it: James Beattie was tipped as the next best thing for England - he wasn't

Made his debut against Australia where he was substituted for one Francis Jeffers. Says it all, really.

27. Tony Daley (7 caps, 1991-1992)
What's the first thing you think of when you remember Tony Daley? Yes, that's right ... pace.

It's all well and good being able to leave your opponents in a cloud of dust but a failure to hurt opponents with his said nippiness proved his downfall.

Earned his final England cap in the horrible showing that was the 2-1 defeat to Sweden at Euro '92.
On the ball: Daley (L) and Bould (R) did not enjoy illustrious international careers

26. Steve Bould (2 caps, 1994)
Arsenal's centre-back made his debut for England just a few months ahead of his 32nd birthday which tells you two things: The manager was desperate and there were quite a few injuries to others in his position.

Honest, reliable and well-liked but abandoned just two caps into his international career as manager Terry Venables preferred the younger Gareth Southgate.

25. Mel Sterland (1 cap, 1988)
Sterland is remembered as being as tough as nails. All players who are described that way tend to be a bit rubbish.
One to forget: Sterland made just one appearance for his country - one too many

The former Sheffield Wednesday full-back made just the one appearance in the Three Lions shirt - away against Saudi Arabia.

24. Larry Lloyd (4 caps, 1971-1980)
Larry put the 'stop' into stopper - he was a beast of a man but there's no escaping the former Nottingham Forest man's shocking England record.
Outclassed: The European champion did not show his club class for England

He was in defence on the night England were beaten at home by Northern Ireland, was dropped for numerous years and returned to play in the 4-1 defeat to Wales in Wrexham. There's no coming back from that...

23. Anthony Gardner (1 cap, 2004)
'Big Tone' was part of the Tottenham side that was having a resurgence of form under Martin Jol but even die-hard Spurs fans raised an eyebrow when Gardner was selected for the England squad.
Made his substitute debut appearance in the defeat to Sweden and has failed to trouble the selectors since.
Two bad: Anthony Gardener and Mike Duxbury (No 21) did not do the business

22. Joey Barton (1 cap, 2007)
What a hilarious call this was.

OK, Barton is a professional but to select him just weeks after berating many in the England team for releasing books after their poor showing at 2006 World Cup was ridiculous.
Bad all round: Having lambasted key England players prior to selection, Barton did not do his talking on the pitch during his only international outing at Old Trafford

An uninspiring player in the league - bereft of ideas in his one international against Spain. Bad idea all round.

21. Mike Duxbury (10 caps, 1983-1984)
Duxbury will always be remembered as being a courageous battler but never those important words like talented or successful.

His brief cameo in the England team ended after the arrival of Gary Stevens into the national squad.


Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1212038/THE-LIST-30-21-worst-England-internationals-footballers.html#ixzz0QaeLrW8A

[QPR Report]

And now, Andy Sinton

11-20

20. David Unsworth (1 cap, 1995)
The lack of competitive qualifiers ahead of Euro '96 meant Terry Venables could experiment with the side in warm-up tournaments such as the Umbro Trophy tournament in 1995.

Singled out: David Unsworth made just one appearance for the Three Lions

Thankfully, the experiment lasted just the one game for Everton's centre-back.


19. Steve Bull (13 caps, 1989-1990)
Everybody loves a bit of Bully. Or do they? You could never question the Wolves striker's endeavour but it is indicative of the dearth of quality in the side for a time that Bull was selected while plying his trade in the old Third Division.
What a load of bully: Wolves legend Steve Bull (L) and former Charlton Athletic full-back Chris Powell never imposed themselves at international level


18. Chris Powell (5 caps, 2001-2002)
How did this happen? Sven claimed he was picking form players but, at 32, Powell was never going to be one for the future.

He became Charlton's first England player for 36 years and the way things are going for the club, it could be another 36 until we see another.


17. Michael Ball (1 cap, 2001)
Debuted in Sven's first match in charge, Ball even captained Manchester City last season (for just 40 minutes, mind).
The fact that he was behind Chris Powell in the right-back pecking order speaks volumes.
Razor's edge: Ball featured during Sven Goran Eriksson's first match in charge but like fellow defender Neil Ruddock, who starred in 1994, it would be his last


16. Neil Ruddock (1 cap, 1994)
Aaah, Razor, the lovable rogue who promised so much as a young Millwall talent and delivered little more than zero.

His one cap came against Nigeria but Terry Venables declined to offer him any more.


15. Andy Sinton (12 caps, 1991-1993)
Is it Sinton's fault that Graham Taylor selected him in front of the supremely gifted Chris Waddle? Yes.

The right thing to would have been to decline the caps and inform Taylor that Waddle was his man.
Friendly fired: Deane play two thirds of his England career in friendlies while Andy Sinton (L) failed to convince the critics he was worthy of replacing Chris Waddle

14. Brian Deane (3 caps, 1991-1992)
Good Lord. Where to start. He was big man with that good touch that all big men have but he was never good enough for international duty.
Two of his three caps came against New Zealand... in friendlies. Say no more.


13. Scott Carson (3 caps, 2007-2008)
There are a few goalkeepers in this list but none have made the kind of mistake that Carson managed in the Euro Qualifier against Croatia ... it was shocking.
Look of horror: Ivica Olic (18) celebrates scoring past the hapless Scott Carson in THAT November 2007 Euro 2008 qualifying defeat to Croatia at Wembley
A horrible, horrendous debut.

12. Andy Gray (1 cap, 1991)
Gray was famous for his long throw years before Rory Delap had even kicked a ball.

Gray area: The former Palace man, famous for long throw-ins, featured only once

Decent form for Palace earned him a cap and his selection gave Sunday league players all over the country hope they could get a call-up to the national team.

11. David White (1 cap, 1992) Another one of Graham Taylor's follies. Called up for the friendly against Spain, in a night he would rather forget.

In the first few minutes, White (right) rounded the goalkeeper but missed the target, and was later substituted by Paul Merson, never to be seen in the Three Lions shirt again.


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Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1212261/THE-LIST-20-11-worst-England-international-footballers.html#ixzz0QgOBjSBm

[QPR Report]

10. Keith Curle (3 caps, 1992)Never an obvious candidate for international football, Curle had spent his formative years on the boggy pitches of the lower leagues.

Graham Taylor's scatter-gun approach to selection saw the Manchester City player appearing at right-back, only to be replaced by the left-midfielder Andy Sinton.

Few and far between: Keith Curle managed just three England caps while Stuart Ripley (R) had to wait four years to add to his first ever international outing

9. Stuart Ripley (2 caps, 1993-1997)Given the amount of talent that England had to select from, Ripley's selection can only go down as a clerical error.

The Blackburn right-winger had to wait four years between his two caps.

8. Steve Guppy (1 cap, 1999)I don't know if you ever heard about the problems England have on the left side of the team? Well, Steve Guppy wasn't the answer. Ever.

Heroes to zero; Steve Guppy and John Fashanu enjoyed celebrated club careers but failed to cut the mustard in a Three Lions shirt

7. John Fashanu (2 caps, 1989)
Proclaimed himself Nigerian but with many Arsenal and Liverpool players absent due to a rescheduled league decider, Fash the bash nabbed a couple of England caps in a handful of days. Oh, the shame.

6. Francis Jeffers (1 cap, 2003)
Another player that showed promise but delivered precisely nought.
Fading star: An England Under-21s sensation, it just wasn't to be for Jeffers on the senior stage, never appearing again after a nightmare against Australia

The 'fox in the box' made just the one appearance for Sven, in the nightmare that was the 3-1 friendly defeat to Australia at Upton Park.

5. Geoff Thomas (9 caps, 1991-1992)
A workman-like and honest player which, in Graham Taylor's era was all you needed to make you a regular.
Cornered: One of Thomas' notable achievements in an England shirt was his header against France... which sailed embarrassingly towards the corner flag

His effort 'on goal' against France in 1992 failed to trouble the goalkeeper as it headed towards the corner flag.

4. David Nugent (1 cap, 2007)
A 100 per cent scoring record for England. Whatever.
One cap wonder: Nugent has a perfect record for England; one cap, one goal. But the way he poached Jermain Defoe's goal-bound effort was simply ludicrous

One cap but no hope of any more. Surely? His goal against Andorra in Barcelona came from all of half an inch, much to Jermain Defoe's annoyance.

3. Seth Johnson (1 cap, 2000)
It's tricky trying to decide just what to make of Johnson's career but the fact that he managed to make it on the field with an England shirt on will forever remain a mystery.

One start against Italy in 2000 was enough to leave many an Englishman scratching their heads.
What a pair: Another Under-21 starlet Johnson was awful in his solo senior game while Carlton Palmer epitomised graham Taylor's tumultuous reign in charge

2. Carlton Palmer (18 caps, 1992-1993)
The zenith of Graham Taylor's poor decision making and symptomatic of the hole the national side found themselves in during the era.

Famous for being berated by Taylor for his inability to 'knock it' and his inclusion in all 10 of the failed USA '94 qualifiers.

1. Michael Ricketts (1 cap, 2002)
Ricketts was Bolton's first England player for 40 years but, given his debut, you can bet he wished he hadn't bothered.

A pointless wandering-about-the-pitch performance in a friendly with Holland during which he looked off the pace and left you wondering how he had managed to find form for his club.
What a racket: Bolton's first England player in 40 years - it should have been 50...

Subbed halfway through his solitary cap (to be replaced by Kevin Phillips no less) which was only a couple of months ahead of the 2002 World Cup finals but still failed to make the squad. Phew!

To add to Ricketts' woes, his career took a nose-dive soon after his solitary appearance.



Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1212524/THE-LIST-10-1-worst-England-international-footballers.html#ixzz0QmCAFuJt

[londonranger]

this tripe is not worth the decency of a reply.

[eusebio13]

I agree about Carlton Palmer but it is all tosh really

[oldhoop]

Sept 7, 2009 21:24:30 GMT cpr said:

Oldhoop, how many right backs would you put ahead of the one trick pony then, with names obviously?

If I got a couple of England caps and played for a half decent Rangers team I think I might think I was better than others might think I was.

I just think he was lucky to be playing in a very good QPR team and i always saw him as a weak link