ENGLAND UNDER-21 TEAM ANNOUNCED

GARETH SOUTHGATE ANNOUNCES SQUAD

Thousands of Coventry schoolchildren will be cheering on England Under-21s in their eagerly-anticipated UEFA European Under-21 Championships qualifier at the Ricoh Arena this month.

Gareth Southgate announced his Under-21 squad at the Ricoh Arena for their Group 9 qualifier against Kazakhstan on Tuesday, October 13 at 5.45pm.

He then took part in a coaching session on the pitch with a group of year 2 pupils from St John Vianney Catholic Primary School in Mount Nod, Coventry.

FREE tickets have been issued to Coventry schools through The FA’s Charter Standard programme.

England Under-21 Head Coach Gareth Southgate said he was looking forward to the game at the Ricoh Arena.

“I have been here once before with Middlesbrough and I thought it was a fantastic stadium to play in with a fantastic atmosphere,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to bringing an England team here. It is an age group where we can take England on the road and supporters can see some of the well-known names.

“We have had some really good crowds and people have enjoyed the action of the matches. We hope supporters that come here will feel the same way.”

Andy Gibb, managing director of the Ricoh Arena, said the squad announcement had stepped up the excitement levels ahead of the England Under-21s’ third match at the venue.

He said: “There are some players named in the squad who play regularly for Premier League and Championship clubs who supporters will have watched on TV.

“This is a great opportunity with the earlier kick-off time for families from across the Midlands to come along and cheer on the team in this qualifying match for the UEFA European Under-21 Championships.

“It would be great if England Under-21s could make it a hat-trick of wins at the Ricoh Arena and we wish them the best of luck.”

Cllr David Kershaw CBE, Cabinet Member for Education at Coventry City Council, added: “As a retired head teacher, I appreciate the powerful impact sport can have on young peoples’ lives and it is an absolute pleasure to have this magnificent stadium here in the city of Coventry.

“This has been a wonderful morning of high quality coaching and it is great to see boys and girls enjoying their football.

“It is also a delight to meet Gareth Southgate who is one of the outstanding role models for professional footballers.

“We’re looking forward to having an England Under-21s match here again and long may these fixtures continue.”

Tickets, priced at £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and a £20 family ticket for two adults and two children, are on-sale via http://www.ricoharena.com/whats-on/sport/england-u21/ or by ringing 024 7678 6411.

Coventry City season ticket holders are also able to take advantage of two-for-one tickets by booking online and using code CCFC50.

As well as the general ticket prices, there are also group bookings for 15 people or more (no age restrictions and bookable in advance only) priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions.

Disabled supporters will pay the full price according to their age category with their carer going free.