World Cup winner to prolific scorer - Blackpool's previous England representatives

England get their World Cup campaign underway this evening - with the current crop of players taking on Croatia at the Dallas Stadium.

Over the years, Blackpool have had several representatives in the Three Lions squad - including a midfielder who won the biggest prize of all.

There was a period where the Seasiders had a consistent presence on the international stage, but this hasn’t been the case in more recent times.

Across the past five decades, there’s not been a direct call-up for anyone at Bloomfield Road, but there’s still been representation in terms of former players, with ex-loanee Morgan Rogers being the latest to be selected.

Here’s a look at Blackpool’s 13 England internationals:

Harry Bedford

Harry Bedford was the first Seasiders player to be selected for the Three Lions.

The forward made the move to Bloomfield Road from Nottingham Forest in 1921, with his first of two England caps coming the following year.

Jimmy Hampson

Like Bedford, and others on this list, Jimmy Hampson is a Blackpool Hall of Fame member, having represented the club from 1927 up until his death in 1938.

The forward represented his country three times in the early 1930s, but found himself up against Everton’s Dixie Dean for a place.

Harry Johnston

Harry Johnston enjoyed a 21-year playing career with the Seasiders between 1934 and 1955 - during which time he was an FA Cup runner up on two occasions before winning the competition in 1953.

The defender picked up 10 caps for his country in total, which came over a seven-year period.

Stan Mortensen

Stan Mortensen is considered one of England’s greatest-ever centre forwards, with his international career spanning from Wembley to the Maracana.

The Blackpool legend, who was at Bloomfield Road between 1941 and 1955, was responsible for his nation’s first-ever World Cup goal, which came against Chile in Rio in 1950.

In total, he found the back of the net 23 times in 25 outings in total for the Three Lions over six years.

That came alongside his many achievements for the Seasiders, including his hat-trick in the 4-3 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the 1953 FA Cup final.

Stanley Matthews

The win against the Trotters was famously dubbed ‘The Matthews Final’ despite Mortensen’s hat-trick.

Stanley Matthews enjoyed the game of his life at Wembley to lift some silverware with Blackpool, but was certainly used to the national stadium.

The inaugural Ballon d'Or winner’s England career started during his time with Stoke, but continued into his Bloomfield Road stint following his move in 1947, with 54 caps coming his way in total.

Eddie Shimwell

Another member of the FA Cup winning team was Eddie Shimwell, who spent time in Tangerine between 1946 and 1957.

The defender’s singular England cap came in 1949 in a game against Sweden.

Tommy Garrett

Tommy Garrett was another starter in the famous Bolton win, with his time on the Fylde Coast spanning from 1946 to 1961.

The defender picked up three international caps in the 12 months in and around the cup final.

Ernie Taylor

Ernie Taylor had already tasted FA Cup success with Newcastle in the year of his switch to Bloomfield Road in 1951, before being part of the Seasiders triumph.

The forward’s only England cap came in the same year as the cup victory against the Trotters.

Bill Perry

Billy Perry was with Blackpool between 1949 and 1962, and was among those who enjoyed the famous day at Wembley.

His taste of life with the national team came a few years later, with the Seasiders Hall of Fame member picking up three caps between 1955 and 1956.

Jimmy Armfield

When you think of Blackpool legends, Jimmy Armfield immediately springs to mind.

The right back spent the entirety of his playing career on the Fylde Coast between 1954 and 1971, and represented England on 43 occasions from 1959 to 1966 - with 15 of those caps being as skipper.

His Three Lions debut came against Brazil at the Maracanã, while he also featured in the 1962 World Cup in Chile.

Ray Charnley

Hall of Fame member Ray Charnley was at Bloomfield Road for a decade between 1957 and 1967, with the forward’s singular England cap coming in 1962.

Tony Waiters

Tony Waiters represented Blackpool between 1959 and 1967, and earned five caps for the Three Lions in 1964.

Alan Ball

Alan Ball was among the England heroes who lifted the 1966 World Cup - during which time he was still on the books of the Seasiders.

Having spent four years on the Fylde Coast following his move from Ashton United as a youngster in 1962, the midfielder’s performances at the home tournament saw him make the move to Everton.

His CV also included a spell with Arsenal, during which time he added further to his 72 caps for the Three Lions, which came between 1965 and 1975.

Ball would later return to Blackpool as a player-manager in 1980, but departed after less than 12 months.