Luton Town's resourceful midfielder Ricky Hill was a deserving debutant
- and the only one - in Bobby Robson's first game in charge of the England
team. Luton were trying to establish themselves as a top-flight force at the
time and relied much on Hill's industry and craft in the middle of the park
to achieve this, therefore when he came on as a substitute for Tony Morley
in the 2-2 opening European Championships qualifier draw with Denmark
(the photo above is during the game), it was to much appreciation.
However, his England career never truly got out of the blocks. He started the
next game - a 2-1 friendly defeat against West Germany at Wembley - but
was then counted out for a whole three years, despite Luton's infamous survivals
from relegation and exciting runs in the cup competitions. Some fine form in the
closing half of 1985 saw Hill's all-too-brief recall for a trip to Egypt at the start of
the following year, but he achieved little after replacing Trevor Steven in the
second half and Robson didn't consider him for his forthcoming World Cup assault.
Injuries struck Hill badly over the next two years although he eventually came
back to some domestic form - and Cup success - with Luton without ever being
seriously touted for an England recall. A good player who just didn't quite fit the
bill, although his club were rightly proud when he made his bow, as he was
Luton's first England international in 27 years. (Matthew Rudd) |