WHEN Austria came to play England at Stamford Bridge in 1932 they were dubbed the 'Wonder Team' of Europe.

But the England showed who were the footballing masters by inflicting a 4-2 defeat on them with Blackpool's Jimmy Hampson, playing the last of his three internationals scoring twice.

"Hampson was a bright and alert centre forward" reported the Birmingham Post and the Daily Telegraph told its readers, "Hampson scored two of the goals and worked hard generally."

The full history of the England national side is told in Mark Shaoul and Tony Williamson's new book Forever England that begins with the formation of the Football Association in 1863.

The book charts England's progress from the very first international against Scotland at the West of Scotland Cricket Ground in 1872 when 4,000 spectators paid one shilling (5p) each to see a goalless draw.

Victory internationals in 1919 saw future Blackpool manager Joe Smith appear for the side and then in the early 1920s Blackpool-born George Wilson, sold by his home town club to Sheffield Wednesday, captained the side.

Later the two Stans, Matthews and Mortensen, helped cement England's place at the top of the international ladder.

But in 1950 came World Cup disaster, a defeat by the USA and this was followed three years later by the first defeat by continental opposition on home soil by Hungary when, sad to recall, four Blackpool players, Johnston, Matthews, Mortensen and Taylor, in his one appearance, wore the three lions shirt.

The obvious high point thereafter was the World Cup victory in 1966 but since then the authors have been obliged to record a falling away of success with the era after 1966 called "After the Lord Mayor's Show".

But there have still been some good moments such as Lineker's golden boot award in '86, Gazza's goal against Scotland and relative success at Euro '96.

It is all within the covers of a lavishly illustrated book which is an ideal read for England supporters who, in the words of the authors, "believe that '66 will be repeated, that one day the team will get it right".

Forever England: A History of the National Side is published at £17.99 by Tempus reviewed by Gerry Wolstenholme.