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An excellent player when fitness allowed him to be, Darren Anderton was an obvious candidate for England when Terry Venables took over the job in 1994, having been brought in to the Tottenham fold by the same manager after two weight-punching years in the senior scene at Portsmouth. Although able to create through the middle, it was exclusively as a right winger that Anderton was utilised by his country, with his slightly ungainly, terse style proving hugely successful against international full backs more used to close control and pace. Anderton debuted in Venables' first match in charge as England beat Denmark 1-0 at Wembley and was impressive enough to stay in the side for the next friendly two months later against Greece, scoring the opening goal in a comprehensive 5-0 win.
As England were hosting the 1996 European Championships, there was no qualification campaign and therefore Venables was free to give the inexperienced the exposure they needed, and Anderton felt this benefit hugely as a former club favourite of the coach. In the summer of 1995, Anderton scored the opener as England beat Japan in the first game of the Umbro Trophy mini-tournament and thumped in a left foot volley from 25 yards to salvage a last minute draw against Sweden at Elland Road five days later. As Venables developed his Christmas tree formation, Anderton's place - assuming he wasn't suffering one of his frequent injury problems - seemed secure. He battled back from an injury ravaged 1995/96 campaign - which saw him play just eight league games - and scored twice in a 3-0 win over Hungary in May 1996, bringing his goals tally to an impressive five in ten.
That helped Darren get the nod over Steve Stone for the opening European Championship group match versus the Swiss at Wembley and he went on to play every minute of the tournament, coming into his own as part of a stunning team display against the Dutch which culminated in a memorable 4-1 win (see inset pictures above, Darren battling for possession with Ronald De Boer and then joining in the celebrations after Teddy Sheringham's goal). In the semi-final against Germany, he agonisingly hit the post with a sliding near post shot (see main photo above) during extra time, when a golden goal would have won the match. England's exit on penalties was heartbreaking but Anderton's reputation - and the blind faith Venables had put in him - had been entirely vindicated. However, Darren's remaining England career never managed to hit such heights again. (Matthew Rudd)
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