In recent years Southampton's academy has been good to the England national team.
Five members of Roy Hodgson’s senior squad for their recent games against Slovenia and Scotland were schooled by the south-coast club.
And now former Saints academy manager, Matt Crocker - one of those responsible for guiding the development of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and company - hopes similar success will be achieved through the launch of the new England DNA.
Matt Crocker at the DNA launch last week
“Having worked in the last ten years in particular with some of the young players now making their senior England debuts in terms of Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, I feel hugely proud that I played a small part in their development.
“To see them progress from 12-year-old boys into wearing the England senior shirt is fantastic.
“If I can help more English players progress, help shape and be part of creating an England DNA with consistent messages that run through all the development teams then in five or ten years’ time, that pride will be intensified even more.”
Crocker and FA director of elite development, Dan Ashworth, have been sharing the vision for future England teams and players with over 600 coaches in attendance at the three day FA Licensed Coaches’ Club conference at St. George’s Park.
Crocker, who presided over the academy at St Mary’s for seven years before taking his new role with the national set-up, gave an insight into how the England DNA links with the grassroots game.
He explained how grassroots coaches can use the five pillars of the DNA – who we are, how we play, the future player, how we coach and how we support – to develop a clear identity and vision for their own work.
Coaches learning more about the England DNA at The FA Licensed Coaches' Club Conference at St. George's Park
In addition to the launch of the England DNA, the annual coaching conference has included workshops and presentations covering talent identification, behaviour management and developing self-awareness in coaching.
On Saturday Luis Fernando Paes de Barros, youth coach at Santos FC, provided an alternative view on developing young players with an insight into Brazilian youth development and the role futsal plays in developing creative players.
And on Sunday attendees watched a variety of FA national coaches deliver practical sessions.
England U15 national coach, Dan Micciche, worked with young players from Burton Albion to demonstrate the latest methodology for coaching players aged 12 to 16 and stressed that creativity must be continually encouraged as players get older.
You can follow live updates from The FA Licensed Coaches' Club Conference via @StGeorgesPark on Twitter.
