Where are they now? England's Euro 96 squad
By Ross Jackson
It doesn't matter whether you were an adult, a child or not even born when Euro 96 took place (damn you young people and your youth), every England fan knows about the time football nearly came home.
After Bobby Robson had led the Three Lions to the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup, optimism was rife that they could build on their success thanks in no small part to the magical talent of Paul Gascoigne - it didn't quite work out as they'd hoped.
England finished bottom of their group at Euro 92 - failing to win a single game and mustering one solitary goal in their three group outings - and the worst was yet to come as they failed to even qualify for World Cup 94.
Euro 96 represented something of a fresh start for the Three Lions, a chance to right the wrongs of the last few years and best of all the competition would take place in front of their own fans.
We're sure you all know how it ended - and let's be honest, losing to Germany on penalties would be your first guess if you didn't know - yet, regardless of the fact Terry Venables' men couldn't overcome England's major tournament hoodoo, the players from that squad became national heroes - until club football started up again at least.
So, here's a little trip down memory lane as we remember England's Euro 96 squad before looking at where they are now.
Goalkeepers
1. David Seaman
England's undisputed number one for the tournament, David Seaman played every minute of Venables' side's foray into the latter rounds and was key to the quarter-final triumph over Spain on penalties.
The former Arsenal shot-stopper has enjoyed an interesting retirement, with his Dancing on Ice appearance a particular highlight. He's now back in the game as a goalkeeping coach at London-based side Wembley FC.
2. Tim Flowers
Such was Seaman's form for club and country, Tim Flowers barely got a kick for the Three Lions despite being a brilliant goalkeeper in his own right.
The former Blackburn man earned 11 caps for his country and has turned his hand to management since retiring, though his latest job didn't go so well as he left Barnet in March having lost 11 of his 12 games at the helm.
3. Ian Walker
Ian Walker suffered a similar fate to Flowers in terms of his international career, winning just four caps throughout his career.
Pretty surprisingly, Walker is currently a goalkeeping coach at Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Port.
Defenders
4. Gary Neville
Gary Neville had only just established himself as Manchester United's first-choice right-back by the time Euro 96 kicked off, though Venables showed faith in the youngster and threw him in at the deep end.
If you don't know what Neville's doing nowadays then it's probably pointless you reading this article as you mustn't know much about football. The Sky pundit is currently trying to save European football from Florentino Perez and he's doing a pretty good job of it.
5. Phil Neville
By the looks of it Phil Neville was rocking a lockdown barnet before we'd even heard of coronavirus.
The United utility man didn't get a kick at Euro 96 but he's landed on his feet in management having moved to David Beckham's MLS side Inter Miami after a spell at the helm of the England Women's team.
6. Tony Adams
Tony Adams was a phenomenal centre-back and he captained England at Euro 96.
Since hanging up his boots he's become an internet sensation after a video emerged of him taking a rather odd training session.
His management CV to date is one of the weirdest you'll ever see with Wycombe Wanderers, Portsmouth, Granada and Azerbaijani side Gabala FK on his record.
7. Gareth Southgate
Please refer to the Gary Neville section which asks 'why are you reading this if you don't know what this fella's up to?'
Gareth Southgate played every minute of England's Euro 96 campaign and his missed penalty against Germany in the semi-final cost the Three Lions their shot at going all the way.
He's now the finest waistcoat-wearer in the world and future European Championship and World Cup winning manager of England...obviously.
8. Steve Howey
If you were asked to name the entire England 22-man squad for Euro 96 then Steve Howey is possibly a name you'd forget.
The former Newcastle defender had a brief stint in management with Crook Town back in 2006, and his last known role was as head coach of East Durham College's team.
He definitely hasn't appeared in Shameless - despite what Google may tell you.
9. Sol Campbell
Sol Campbell had spent a few seasons in the Tottenham first team by the time Euro 96 came around, though he was afforded just one cameo appearance from the bench against Scotland in the tournament.
The outspoken centre-back has since gone into management and after a relatively successful spell with Macclesfield - which ended on sour terms with Campbell claiming the club owed him money - he moved to Southend where he left following the club's relegation to League Two.
10. Stuart Pearce
No one will ever forget that image of Stuart Pearce as he blasted home his penalty against Spain to redeem himself following his spot-kick miss at the 1990 World Cup.
Pearce also moved into management following his retirement from the game, and currently works as part of David Moyes' backroom staff at West Ham.
Midfielders
11. Darren Anderton
Darren Anderton started every one of England's five outings at Euro 96 and incredibly didn't get injured once!
After a few brief appearances as a pundit on foreign television channels Anderton appears to have taken a step back from the game. Probably injured.
12. Nick Barmby
Nick Barmby managed just one substitute appearance at Euro 96 against Spain in the quarter-final.
Similar to Anderton, Barmby seems to have disappeared from the footballing world since leaving his post as Hull City manager in 2012, though his son Jack Barmby is now a professional and last played for American side Phoenix Rising in 2020.
13. Paul Ince
Paul Ince's only missed game of Euro 96 came against Spain as David Platt stepped into central midfield.
Ince managed a number of lower league clubs before getting his big break at Premier League side Blackburn, though it didn't end well and he was sacked after just 21 league games in the hot seat.
It's unclear whether he's looking to get back into the game but for now he seems happy to be working as a pundit.
14. David Platt
David Platt was one of the elder statesmen in Venables' squad and he played a big part as he scored from the penalty spot against both Spain and Germany.
The former Arsenal midfielder managed a number of teams including Sampdoria, Nottingham Forest and the England Under-21s, but his time in the game looks to be over and he's now the manager of an amateur kids' team.
15. Paul Gascoigne
Well where do you start with what this man has done since retiring from football?
One of the most colourful characters ever to play the game, Paul Gascoigne's volley against Scotland will live long in the memory of all England fans.
Gazza has had his troubles with mental illness and drink over the last few years, though he seems to be on the road to recovery which we're sure we can all agree is great news.
16. Jamie Redknapp
Redknapp's only appearance at Euro 96 was as a substitute against Scotland, and he was taken off himself later in the game...
These days he's busy being the best dressed man on television and seemingly getting better looking by the day.
17. Steve Stone
What happened to bald footballers? They were the cornerstone of the game in the 90s and we need them back now.
Steve Stone made three substitute appearances at Euro 96 and he's currently the coach in Burnley's youth setup.
18. Steve McManaman
It's easy to forget how absolutely brilliant Steve McManaman was as a player.
There weren't many finer sights than him running with the ball at his feet at full pelt and he was an integral part of Venables' team.
Now he's a co-commentator on BT Sport - and it's fair to say he splits opinion when covering games.
Forwards
19. Alan Shearer
A large part of the optimism surrounding England's chances at Euro 96 was down to this man.
Alan Shearer had bagged 31 goals in 35 appearances for Blackburn the season prior and he carried his brilliant form into the European Championship, scoring in every group game and bagging a total of five in five games.
Recently inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, Shearer devotes the majority of his time now to being a pundit and lamenting Newcastle United's recent woes.
20. Teddy Sheringham
England had some brilliant strikers in the mid 90s, and Teddy Sheringham was certainly one of them.
Guile, creativity and awareness of those around him, the frontman was superb at Euro 96 and his brace against the Netherlands helped the Three Lions to a memorable 4-1 win.
These days he's content dressing up as a tree on The Masked Singer.
21. Les Ferdinand
What a player Les Ferdinand was, yet the fact he never played a minute of football at Euro 96 goes to show just how good Shearer and Sheringham were.
Ferdinand is currently director of football at QPR having managed the club on an interim basis back in 2015.
22. Robbie Fowler
Robbie Fowler did a little better than Ferdinand in terms of game time at Euro 96, though even then he only played about 25 minutes across two substitute appearances.
The Liverpool striker was absolutely lethal in the mid 90s and his career took him all over the world as he reached the twilight of his playing days.
Since hanging up his boots his managerial career has been no different and he's currently boss of Indian side East Bengal.