England’s One Cap Wonders
England Players With Only One International Appearance
Ever wondered which players had only played once for their country before disappearing into oblivion? FInd out here.
A new England manager always arrives and brings in some new faces. Yet how many of these actually last the distance and who remains a one cap wonder? Time to check out which players previous England managers thought were a good idea before abruptly changing their minds as we discover the most recent one cap wonders.
Goalkeeper
1. Chris Kirkland
Famously Kirkland's dad once placed a bet on his son one day playing for England at odds of 100/1. On 16 August 2007 Kirkland senior came out of the bookies a very happy man as his son took his place between the sticks as England played Greece at Old Trafford. Kirkland may win more caps in the coming years but with other young, talented keepers around such as Ben Foster and Scott Carson it will be tough. However the lesson to learn here is - don't bet against him.
Defenders
2. Michael Ball
Ball's one and only cap came against Spain in 2001 in Sven Goran Eriksson’s first match in charge. Injuries have played their part, as has a suspect temperament and competition in the shape of Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge.
3. David Unsworth
Unsworth’s cap came at Wembley in a 2-1 win against Japan in 1995. Another defender picking up his first cap that day was a certain Gary Neville. One of them went on to become a regular in the England defence. Unfortunately for Unsworth, it wasn’t him.
4. Anthony GardnerThe fact that Gardner was only capped once at England U21 level may have given him an insight into how his senior career might develop. He came on as a sub for Gareth Southgate against Sweden in a 1-0 defeat in Gothenburg in 2004 and that so far, has been that. At least his development has been consistent.
Midfielders
5. Seth Johnson
Leeds United once paid £7million for Seth Johnson, which perhaps reveals much about their plight. Perhaps more surprisingly however is the fact that Johnson possesses an England cap. It came as a substitute in a 1-0 defeat to Italy in November 2000 before his international career followed Leeds United into the abyss.
6. Lee Bowyer
Bowyer’s chequered career actually includes one international cap picked up against Portugal in a 1-1 friendly in 2002. Although playing in the Premiership for West Ham, he shouldn’t cause Capello too many selection headaches.
7. Gavin McCann
He has one England cap to his name, playing against Spain at Villa Park in 2001. Now playing at Bolton his England days are well behind him.
8. David Dunn
Dunn’s cap came in the same match as Lee Bowyer’s and his international career took much the same route – namely into oblivion. Like Bowyer, unlikely to find Capello on the end of his phone.
9. Lee Hendrie
Then playing for Aston Villa, Lee Hendrie made his one and only England appearance as a fresh faced 21 year old substitute in a 2-0 victory against the Czech Republic in 1998. Still as fresh-faced as ever but destined to stay on one cap.
Strikers
10. David Nugent
Nugent boasts an impressive international strike rate of one appearance and one goal (against Andorra in March 2007). Has plenty of years ahead of him to try to improve his cap rate but as he is currently struggling for Premiership appearances let alone international ones he may not get a chance to improve his goal per game average.
11. Francis Jeffers
Like Nugent, Jeffers boasts a 100% goal scoring record for his country having scored in every appearance for his country (ie a goal in the humiliating friendly defeat to Australia in 2003). Will not be causing Wayne Rooney et al any sleepness nights.
