Terry McDERMOTT

Once midfielder Terry McDermott had established himself at Liverpool in their treble-chasing year of 1977, it seemed inevitable that England would take a look at the confident, visionary player who had set up many of his club's goals as they ultimately took the League title and European Cup. England's main creative force in what had been a chronic decade so far was Trevor Brooking, and it was with this benchmark in mind that McDermott took to the field for his international debut in a friendly against Switzerland in September 1977, immediately after Don Revie's resignation. McDermott was helped by his domestic success, as caretaker coach Ron Greenwood decided to field a side top-heavy on Liverpool players following their club triumphs, and Terry looked polished in an otherwise rank affair which ended goalless. He stuck around for the next game - a qualifier for the 1978 World Cup which England needed to win by a high margin to give themselves a half-chance - but the game ended in only a 2-0 win over whipping boys Luxembourg, and Greenwood looked back to Brooking for the final visit of Italy which sounded the expected death knells on England's campaign.

McDermott was overlooked throughout 1978 thanks to Brooking's experience and revered understanding with Kevin Keegan, and his third cap finally came in the 1979 Home Internationals as England beat Northern Ireland 2-0 at Wembley (the photo above is during the game). He stayed in the team for a goalless draw with Wales at Wembley but Brooking returned for the visit of Scotland and again his combinations with Keegan proved a highlight in a fine 3-1 win. At this point, Terry needed to exercise some patience, just as he had done in his first three years at Liverpool, and Greenwood gave him runs here and there in the latter half of 1979, including a starting place alongside Brooking - for the first time - as England beat Denmark 1-0 in a qualifier for the 1980 European Championships. McDermott came on as a sub for Brooking in the next qualifier - a 5-1 drubbing of Northern Ireland at Windsor Park - and slowly he was gunning for a regular shirt, with or without Brooking there, as England assured themselves of qualification for the finals in Italy and Greenwood began to piece together his squad plans. In 1980, McDermott played in three internationals and was delighted, despite the added threat of Tottenham's young star Glenn Hoddle, to get a place in the England party which would contest the nation's first major finals in a decade. (Matthew Rudd)

At the 1980 European Championships, Terry McDermott was disappointed to lose out to main rival Trevor Brooking for the role of England's creative resource as Ron Greenwood announced his starting line-up for the opener against Belgium in Turin, which ended 1-1. McDermott featured as a late sub for Steve Coppell but played no part at all in the next game, as Greenwood rung the changes to the extent that a disjointed England lost 1-0 to the hosts Italy. Terry started the final game of the group and played a starring role in a 2-1 win over Spain (the photo above is during the game 1st June 1980.   Photo Tony Edenden ©) but the damage was done and England came home early. Though Hoddle had plenty of media support, McDermott's own camp felt he should now be given an extended run in the England midfield as Brooking was now into his thirties and his West Ham side were not playing in the top flight. Greenwood, however, felt that Brooking had much more to give and kept the West Ham man close, although McDermott was given a starting place in England's first three qualifiers for the 1982 World Cup. This trio of matches proved a bitter-sweet experience for Terry, who scored his first England goals in a 4-0 thumping of Norway at Wembley - he grabbed two of them, including a penalty - but then was off form as England lost 1-0 to Romania in Bucharest.

They got back on track with a 2-1 win over Switzerland in the third game, but Brooking was ominously in the team alongside McDermott and, when the next game came round in March 1981, Brooking was in and McDermott out, even though it was only a friendly against Spain. A month later, Greenwood kept faith with Brooking when Romania came to Wembley as the qualifiers resumed and Terry only featured as a sub for his big rival. McDermott then played in a friendly defeat to Brazil at Wembley, missed the Home Internationals because of Liverpool's involvement in the European Cup final, and was on the bench when Greenwood's side was patched up for the last throes of England's qualification campaign, which was very much in the balance. McDermott came on as a sub for Trevor Francis in Basle and scored a late consolation as England lost disappointingly in Switzerland 2-1, and this finally cemented his worth.

There were three qualifiers left and McDermott started and completed all three, with either Hoddle or Brooking alongside him. England won 3-1 in Hungary and then lost in Norway, leaving them with the task of beating Hungary at Wembley or they weren't going to Spain. Terry commanded the midfield stylishly, although it was Brooking who set up the only goal for Paul Mariner. McDermott contentedly returned to Liverpool life but found that all was not rosy at Anfield, his place coming under threat from players like Sammy Lee and Ronnie Whelan. This affected his England chances considerably, with Greenwood looking lengthily at Hoddle during the preparation period in the opening half of 1982 and making sure Brooking was still on top of his game. McDermott featured in four of the six games and made Greenwood's squad for Spain but got nowhere near a pitch as England went out in the second group phase. His sale by Liverpool in September 1982 made absolutely sure that he would not return to the England fold, and his international career will be remembered as one that only managed to get going in fits and starts. (Matthew Rudd)