TERRY Venables' Euro 96 battle plans were drawn up in East Lancashire.

Mike Ferguson is Venables' North-West of England scout and he has helped plot England's course to tonight's semi-final against Germany.

And before England face the might of Germany in Wembley's white-hot atmosphere - the Worsthorne man will have been at Old Trafford to run the rule over France and the Czech Republic for the England chief.

His dossier could prove vital to Venables if England can clinch a place in Sunday's Championship final.

But Ferguson realises that it is not just strategic preparation which has earned England tonight's showpiece game.

"There is no manager in world football who has a better chemistry with his players than Terry Venables," said Ferguson.

"And what he has achieved with England over the past two years is nothing short of remarkable.

"People in this country said England could not play. Terry Venables never ever said that.

"He said we had the talent, we just had to adopt certain styles of world play.

"He has proved England can play and shown the people of England we can play.

"Terry is a great believer in players rotating in different positions to improve their adaptability.

"Just look at the improvement in players such as Gareth Southgate. He has made major steps under Terry Venables.

"One of the big factors about the man is that he shows a lot of loyalty to the people he trusts. He is not a dogmatic manager and is very thoughtful about the game.

"You can see that by the reaction of the current England team. They are returning that loyalty.

"Nobody should doubt his authority with the players and the respect they have for him. He can have a laugh and a joke, but at the same time he can be strong too. "He is very thorough in everything he does. I remember speaking to him before England went out to Hong Kong and China and he told me then that he had made his mind up what team he would be playing against Switzerland. That is typical Terry.

"When you are working with him you see that Terry never disregards anything, no matter how small.

"He asked me to watch the Spaniards for him in their qualifying group to Euro 96 and I thought they were a better side than either Germany or Holland.

"I think England have a great chance to go all the way to the final now."

Ferguson, 53, began his Football League career with Accrington Stanley in 1960 and later played for Blackburn Rovers.

He first linked up with Venables at Queens Park Rangers from 1969 to 1972.

The pair roomed together for three years at Loftus Road and, when Venables wanted a scout to cover the north of England for him in 1986, Ferguson was his man.

"I feel very proud that I am serving my country and just as proud to have worked under Terry Venables," added Ferguson.

"He has had to take an awful lot of stick over the past two years, yet he has always retained his dignity.

"Just look at the pressure over the past few weeks. We faced our greatest rivals in Scotland and then played against one of the footballing powers in Europe.

"We had enough to beat Scotland and then gave Holland a football lesson. I think that game proved just how far we have come under Terry Venables."

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