England under-20s packing out AFC Telford
Aidy Boothroyd predicts a bright future for England - with 3,000 tickets sold for his first game in charge of the under-20 side at AFC Telford United tonight.
Club bosses at the New Bucks Head are braced for a sell out, with the stadium's current safety certificate allowing them to pack 5,835 spectators into the ground.
With admission a rock-bottom £3 for adults and £1.50 concessions, many fans plan to pay on the gate for the friendly against Romania. Telford season ticket holders get in for free.
And Boothroyd, who will undertake his opening fixture with the age group since being appointed as a national coach in February, is aiming to show the punters what lies ahead for the Three Lions.
Roy Hodgson's side are regrouping after a first round exit in the World Cup and Boothroyd's squad present part of the gateway, evidenced by new full international Calum Chambers.
The £16million defender, who joined Arsenal from Southampton in the close season, was playing for the under-19s under Boothroyd and Noel Blake as recently as March.
Boothroyd said: "We have got some good young players and it was great to see Calum play against Norway, he was our under-19 captain not too long ago.
"It just shows that there is a pathway. It's an exciting time, I think we have got some good players coming through. We are working hard to make England better and I think that will happen.
"We are very quick to look at what's not good. I can understand why people think there's a dark cloud, but we have a good manager of the senior team in Roy and I can only see big success in the future."
It's the highest level international fixture the Bucks have hosted. England under-16s and 19s have played there twice before, along with the 17s and 18s.
Tonight's crowd will easily beat the 2,185 that saw England's challenge open against Italy in the UEFA Women's Under-17 European Championship last November.
Boothroyd, who lives in Bromsgrove, said: "I have been to Telford a few times, as Wolves play their under-21 games there. It's not too far away from me and the people at the club are fantastic.
"It's a non-league giant and, hopefully, they can get themselves to where they want to be."
Supporters are urged to arrive for tonight's friendly as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Kick off is at 7.30pm.
