Italia '90 trio join Legends April 29 2008
England Legends Manager Peter Reid has announced that England's 1990 World Cup heroes Mark Wright, Des Walker and Paul Parker have joined the England Legends squad that will face Scotland Legends for the Alan Ball Memorial Cup.
The trio takes to nine Reid's confirmed squad which also includes former England and Manchester United Captain Bryan Robson, 1996 PFA Player of the Year Les Ferdinand, Arsenal trio Paul Merson, Ray Parlour and Nigel Winterburn and four-time Scottish Champion goalkeeper Chris Woods.
On his latest three 'signings', England Manager Peter Reid confirmed: "In Wright, Walker and Parker I have three players who have built their career on total commitment to England, all three of them would die for the shirt. The famous image of Wrighty with a bandage wrapped around his head says everything you need to know about the man - he is totally committed to his country.
"Des was incredible for England. I know when he first joined the national set-up in '88, the first eight games he played in, England conceded just once - and that included a 2-0 win against Scotland at Hampden. Paul Parker is one of the best defenders of his generation. To understand his character you've only got to look back at the World Cup semi in Italia '90.
"He was unlucky to deflect Germany's free kick over Shilton's head but he picked himself up, got on with it and knocked a quality ball in for Lineker to equalise. It is that sort of character that epitomised Alan Ball and it that sort of character that it going to make sure England beat Scotland on May 15th and lift the Alan Ball Memorial Cup."
Mark Wright made 480 senior appearances for Oxford, Southampton, Derby County and Liverpool, and 45 appearances for England. Wright
made his name at Southampton and was voted Player of the Year in his first full season, 82-83, and helped Saints to a second place to flight finish in 83-84.
His goal against Egypt in Italia '90 booked England's place in the tournament's knockout stages. Wright will face a familiar adversary on May 15th, Scotland Legends Manager Graeme Souness signed Wright from Derby County for £2.5m in 1991.
Des Walker made 657 top flight appearances for Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and Sampdoria, where he was signed for £1.5m by Sven Goran Eriksson. Walker earned 59 caps for his country including six at Italia '90.
Paul Parker made 404 senior appearances most famously for Fulham, QPR and Manchester United. Parker has two Premiership titles, an FA Cup and League Cup winners medal to his credit.