The FA will mark St. George’s Day with a series of Together for England Roadshows across the country on Thursday 23 April.
To celebrate England’s national day through the power of the beautiful game, Three Lions representatives will be in attendance at events in Somerset and at St. George’s Park, The FA’s national football centre.
England manager Roy Hodgson and vice-captain Gary Cahill helped kick-start the celebrations by paying a surprise visit to Brent schoolchildren in the learning zone at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.
Gary Cahill and Roy Hodgson with kids at Wembley
The duo were on hand to judge a St. George’s Day-themed design competition, face a Q&A from the youngsters before posing for a group shot next to the statue of the iconic World Cup-winning England captain Bobby Moore.
The drive is to inspire the next generation of England footballers and fans, while reminding supporters that the best way to back the Three Lions is by signing up to the England Supporters Club for free via www.englandsupportersclub.com.
Over the past ten days, England Supporters Club members have been treated to a countdown of exclusive competitions to coincide with a poll of England’s greatest moments as voted for by the fans.
Chelsea star Cahill also features in an emotive video that highlights the united passion between England players and fans.
Gary Cahill: For England and St. George
The ultimate prize – a VIP trip for two to watch England play Germany away in 2016 – is up for grabs on St. George’s Day to coincide with the memory which topped the recent poll: the Three Lions’ 5-1 demolition of the Germans during a World Cup qualifier in Munich in 2001.
The hat-trick hero from that game, Michael Owen, has been enlisted as The FA’s St. George’s Day ambassador during the event at St. George’s Park.
The former striker, who hit 40 goals for his country, will be joined by a panel of fellow Three Lions representatives in England Under-21s head coach Gareth Southgate, goalkeeper Jack Butland and England Women’s international Jade Moore.
They will oversee an activity session involving local schoolchildren, led by The FA Skills programme, before sharing tips with the white and red-clad youngsters.
Bobby Moore statue flies the flag at Wembley
That format will be repeated at St. George’s VA Church Primary School in the small Somerset village of St. George’s, where former England player Jermaine Jenas and England Women’s U23 goalkeeper Mary Earps will lead the celebrations.
Issuing a St. George’s Day message via FATV, FA Chairman Greg Dyke said: “When I go back to when I was a kid, St. George’s Day was an important day. We used to have celebrations at my primary school and we used to celebrate England.
“What brings England together? Well the single-most important thing is football and England has the best football team in the British Isles.
"If England as a football team does well then England is a united country. I think football plays a big part in England and should therefore play a big part in St. George’s Day.”
Greg Dyke's St. George's Day message
During his time as director general at the BBC, and having flown back from the 5-1 win in Munich, Dyke famously ordered for the game to be replayed due to its significance in football history.
The Together for England Roadshows started rolling in January in attempt to bring the national team to the heart of local communities and the drive has already seen Three Lions representatives from various levels pay a visit to initiatives in Southampton, Middlesbrough and Barnet.
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