Just over 11 years ago, England under 21's managed to scrape a draw in the first leg of their European Championship play-off against France, after Newcastle United prospect Darren Ambrose rescued a point in front of a record 34,491 crowd.
England U21 boss Peter Taylor was delighted with the draw as the likes of Ryan Taylor, Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone and Carlton Cole featured against a very talented France side, minus Julien Faubert.
Anthony Le Tallec, who was once dubbed the next Zinedine Zidane, put the visitors ahead with a vital away goal when he bagged two minutes into the second half, as Franck Ribery and Jimmy Briand, who was once rated highly on Football Manager, starred for France.
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Looking back on both sides, it's interesting to see how these young players turned out.
From Gael Clichy to Peter Whittingham, most of these guys have produced great things for a respected club. MOST.
England U21 side from November, 2005:
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- Scott Carson (Now at Derby County)
- Ryan Taylor (Now at Port Vale)
- Peter Whittingham (Now at Cardiff City)
- Michael Dawson (Now at Hull City)
- Anton Ferdinand (Now at Southend United)
- Tom Huddlestone (Now at Hull City)
- James Milner (Now at Liverpool)
- Darren Ambrose (Retired)
- Carlton Cole (Now at Sacramento Republic)
- Darren Bent (Now at Derby County)
- Kieran Richardson.(Now at Cardiff City)
Subs Not Used:
- Nedum Onuoha (Now at Queens Park Rangers)
- Lee Camp (Now at Rotherham United)
- Curtis Davies (Now at Hull City)
- Justin Hoyte (Free agent)
- John Welsh (Now at Preston North End)
- Luke Moore (Free agent)
- Dean Ashton (Retired)
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France U21 side from November, 2005:
- Jeremy Gavanon (Now at Cannes)
- Bacary Sagna (Now at Manchester City)
- Gael Clichy (Now at Manchester City)
- Ronald Zubar (Now at New York Red Bulls)
- Jean-Michel Badiane (Retired)
- Rio Mavuba (Now at Lille)
- Julien Faubert (Now at Kilmarnock)
- Jeremy Toulalan (Now at Bordeaux)
- Jimmy Briand (Now at Guingamp)
- Franck Ribery (Now at Bayern Munich)
- Anthony Le Tallec (Now at Atromitos FC)
Subs Not Used:
- Steve Mandanda (Now at Crystal Palace)
- Jacques Faty: (Now at Central Coast Mariners)
- Nicolas Fauverge (Now at Paris FC)
- Sinama Pongolle (Now at Chainat Hornbill)
- Gregory Bourillon (Now at Angers)
- Etienne Didot (Now at Guingamp)
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Florent Sinama Pongolle, what a hero.
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