Born in the White Rose county, they did their country proud... but who are Yorkshire’s most capped footballers?

Yorkshire football may have stumbled on difficult times in recent years, but we can still boast a cracking line-up of England internationals from within our White Rose county. Here is a list of the most capped...
Middlesbrough legend Wilf Mannion, who was capped 26 times by his country. (PA photo)Middlesbrough legend Wilf Mannion, who was capped 26 times by his country. (PA photo)
Middlesbrough legend Wilf Mannion, who was capped 26 times by his country. (PA photo)

David Seaman (Rotherham) 75 caps

Seaman represented England at four major championships, shining at Euro 96 when he saved a penalty from Scotland’s Gary McAllister and being a hero in a shoot-out against Spain. Made his international debut in 1988 and kept going until 2002. Became an Arsenal legend after joining them for £1.3 million, a British record for a goalkeeper at the time, in 1990. In a glorious 13 years at the club, he won three league titles, four FA Cups, a League Cup and a European Cup Winners Cup.

Gordon Banks (Sheffield) 73 caps

Pele described Banks as like “a salmon leaping up a waterfall” when the goalkeeper made his famous save at the 1970 World Cup. Banks had been an important figure when England famously won the trophy four years earlier. Conceded just 57 goals in his 73 appearances for England. It had all begun when he was spotted playing for a Sheffield works team and signed by Chesterfield, before spending the bulk of his career at Leicester City and Stoke City.

Kevin Keegan (Doncaster) 63 caps

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Became the only British player to be voted as European Footballer of the Year twice in a row, securing the honour in 1978 and 1979. Captained England 31 times and went on to have a spell as manager, leading the country in Euro 2000. Enjoyed an illustrious career with Liverpool, scoring 100 goals for them during a golden period. Keegan helped the club to the European Cup, as well as the Uefa Cup twice, three league titles and the FA Cup.

James Milner (Leeds) 55 caps

Arsenal's David Seaman makes a finger tip save from a header by Sheffield United's Paul Peschisolido, during their FA Cup semi-final match at Old Trafford, on April 13, 2003 (PA photo)Arsenal's David Seaman makes a finger tip save from a header by Sheffield United's Paul Peschisolido, during their FA Cup semi-final match at Old Trafford, on April 13, 2003 (PA photo)
Arsenal's David Seaman makes a finger tip save from a header by Sheffield United's Paul Peschisolido, during their FA Cup semi-final match at Old Trafford, on April 13, 2003 (PA photo)

Milner played a record number of times for the England Under 21s, 46, and the vast experience helped him to break into the senior squad during 2009. Having been a Leeds United supporter and ballboy, he came through the youth ranks of his hometown club and into the first team, which launched his successful club career. Went on to play for Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool, becoming invaluable due to his versatility.

Ron Flowers (Doncaster) 49 caps

Flowers was part of the 1966 World Cup winning squad and once played in 40 successive England games. Scored England’s first goal in a European Championships game - a qualifier against France in 1962. His career had started at the academy of Doncaster Rovers, a club which he went on to support after retiring. He left Doncaster and joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he stayed from 1952 to 1967, making 467 appearances and winning three titles plus an FA Cup.

David Batty (Leeds) 42 caps

World cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks  after unveiling his Sheffield Legends plaque set in the pavement outside the Town Hall Shefield in 2006.World cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks  after unveiling his Sheffield Legends plaque set in the pavement outside the Town Hall Shefield in 2006.
World cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks after unveiling his Sheffield Legends plaque set in the pavement outside the Town Hall Shefield in 2006.

The combative midfielder was sent off on his final appearance for England, against Poland in 1999, finishing an international career that started in 1991. Batty made his debut for hometown club Leeds United as an 18-year-old in 1986 and went on to win the league with them - before moving to Blackburn Rovers, where he played a handful of games in their title-winning season but suffered from injury. Moved to Newcastle United then finished where he started - at Leeds.

Paul Robinson (Beverley) 41 caps

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Started all of England’s games during the 2006 World Cup in Germany under Sven-Goran Eriksson. Became a No 1 choice in goal for England under the Swede. Leeds United was where the goalkeeper started off, making his first team debut in 1998 before moving on to Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn Rovers. Unexpectedly became a goal-scorer, scoring a header for Leeds against Swindon Town and a free-kick for Tottenham against Watford.

Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough) 35 caps

Kevin Keegan with the European Footballer of the Year Trophy, and his former manger, Bill Shankly.Kevin Keegan with the European Footballer of the Year Trophy, and his former manger, Bill Shankly.
Kevin Keegan with the European Footballer of the Year Trophy, and his former manger, Bill Shankly.

His progression to the England first team came after he had moved up the ranks through the Under 16s, Under 18s, Under 19s and Under 21s. Downing went on to feature in the 2006 World Cup. A product of Middlesbrough’s academy, the winger made his debut for the club at 17 and had spent eight years there when he left in 2009. Returned to Middlesbrough this year - via spells at Sunderland, Aston Villa, Liverpool and West Ham United.

Trevor Cherry (Huddersfield) 27 caps

Captained both England and Leeds United, playing at the West Yorkshire club from 1972 to 1982. Won the title with Leeds in 1974 then appeared in the European Cup final defeat against Bayern Munich the following season. A low point came was when he played in the 1973 FA Cup final defeat against Sunderland. Started his career at hometown club Huddersfield Town, featuring from 1965 to 1972. After leaving Leeds, he went on to become Bradford City’s player-manager.

Wilf Mannion (Middlesbrough) 26 caps

Scored a hat-trick on his England debut in a 7-2 drubbing of Northern Ireland and was seen as a golden boy - but went on to feature at the 1950 World Cup, which included the infamous 1-0 defeat against the United States at Belo Horizonte. Mannion spent 18 years with his hometown club Middlesbrough before moving on to Hull City. A rebellious character, Mannion clashed with the authorities during his career but was loved by football fans for his skills.

Ernie Blenkinsop (Sheffield) 26 caps

England's James Milner in the spotlight as England U21 prepare to play Austria U21 at Elland Road on October 7, 2005.England's James Milner in the spotlight as England U21 prepare to play Austria U21 at Elland Road on October 7, 2005.
England's James Milner in the spotlight as England U21 prepare to play Austria U21 at Elland Road on October 7, 2005.
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Captained England, most memorably in a 7-1 thrashing of Spain during 1931. All of his caps came in consecutive England fixtures from May 1928 to April 1933. The defender started his professional career when he left a village team to join Hull City - with the fee reported to be £100 and a barrel of beer for his team-mates - then moved on to Sheffield Wednesday, where he spent a decade. Later joined Liverpool and Cardiff City. Considered one of the finest left backs to have played.