Liverpool starlet Conor Coady has revealed his delight at skippering England under-17s to European Championship glory.
The 17-year-old midfielder was one of four Merseyside youngsters who played in Sunday’s impressive 2-1 final victory over favourites Spain in Liechtenstein.
Coady was joined by Reds clubmate Andre Wisdom and Everton duo Ross Barkley and Luke Garbutt.
It was the first time an England men’s team have landed a major trophy for 17 years.
The last success was at the European Under-18 Championships in 1993 when the side included Robbie Fowler, Paul Scholes, Sol Campbell and Gary Neville.
Liverpool-born Coady said: “I’m just delighted with everything that’s happened.
“At the end I ran over to the dugout and slid on my knees and then I just got piled on and I couldn’t breathe.
“It’s just unbelievable. I can’t believe we’ve done it. Lifting that trophy was just unreal. It’s everything I’ve dreamt about and I’m so proud to have done it.
“I went up and I was shaking people’s hands and the fella gave me the trophy and I just thought ‘let’s get it up there!’ so I gave it a kiss and then just put it straight in the air.
“I’ve loved every minute of this tournament and to captain the side as well, I’m just totally made up.
“It’s been a great experience for us all and I think it will help us as players a few years down the line.”
Wisdom enjoyed an eventful day as it was his own goal which put Spain ahead midway through the first half.
However, the Leeds-born defender atoned eight minutes later when he headed in Josh McEachran’s corner.
Highly-rated Ipswich striker Connor Wickham got the winner just after the break.
Wisdom said: “Spain have got a very attacking team with some of the greatest players in the world at our age and playing against them was a great experience.
“Their goal took a little deflection off me but I forgot about it as soon as it happened because that’s what you’ve got to do as a defender.
“Then, when the ball came in from Josh’s corner I thought ‘right, I’m getting my head on this’ and I’m just happy for the team.
“I don’t score many goals but I just scored in the biggest game of my life so I think I went a bit crazy.
“Winning this trophy is my biggest achievement in the game. We’ve been away for three weeks, training hard and playing well and this is what we’ve achieved. It’s unreal.”
Left-back Garbutt, who joined Everton from Leeds last summer, added: “I’m buzzing. All the lads are really happy.
“I’d been booked towards the end of the game and I was just concentrating on their winger, not diving in and just showing him down the line so I didn’t know it was the end of the game.
“But then I saw everyone rush towards the bench and then I think we all just went mental. It’s incredible.”
It was also a special day for fellow Blue Barkley. The young midfielder played a crucial role in the winning goal.
“I’m made up,” Barkley said.
“We knew we had to settle it down towards the end. We had to stop their counter attacks and when we couldn’t, we just had to defend for our lives.
“I was so relieved when the game ended. This could benefit our careers loads.”
Manager John Peacock paid tribute to his Merseyside quartet.
Peacock said: “I’m absolutely delighted for the players because they’ve worked so hard and the spirit has been first class.
“It means a lot to the English game. We’ve got our critics – that we’re not producing players. I think we have produced many good players in this tournament.
“What was missing was a trophy that we can put our name to. We’ve done that now. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another 17 years for another one.”
The 17-year-old midfielder was one of four Merseyside youngsters who played in Sunday’s impressive 2-1 final victory over favourites Spain in Liechtenstein.
Coady was joined by Reds clubmate Andre Wisdom and Everton duo Ross Barkley and Luke Garbutt.
It was the first time an England men’s team have landed a major trophy for 17 years.
The last success was at the European Under-18 Championships in 1993 when the side included Robbie Fowler, Paul Scholes, Sol Campbell and Gary Neville.
Liverpool-born Coady said: “I’m just delighted with everything that’s happened.
“At the end I ran over to the dugout and slid on my knees and then I just got piled on and I couldn’t breathe.
“It’s just unbelievable. I can’t believe we’ve done it. Lifting that trophy was just unreal. It’s everything I’ve dreamt about and I’m so proud to have done it.
“I went up and I was shaking people’s hands and the fella gave me the trophy and I just thought ‘let’s get it up there!’ so I gave it a kiss and then just put it straight in the air.
“I’ve loved every minute of this tournament and to captain the side as well, I’m just totally made up.
“It’s been a great experience for us all and I think it will help us as players a few years down the line.”
Wisdom enjoyed an eventful day as it was his own goal which put Spain ahead midway through the first half.
However, the Leeds-born defender atoned eight minutes later when he headed in Josh McEachran’s corner.
Highly-rated Ipswich striker Connor Wickham got the winner just after the break.
Wisdom said: “Spain have got a very attacking team with some of the greatest players in the world at our age and playing against them was a great experience.
“Their goal took a little deflection off me but I forgot about it as soon as it happened because that’s what you’ve got to do as a defender.
“Then, when the ball came in from Josh’s corner I thought ‘right, I’m getting my head on this’ and I’m just happy for the team.
“I don’t score many goals but I just scored in the biggest game of my life so I think I went a bit crazy.
“Winning this trophy is my biggest achievement in the game. We’ve been away for three weeks, training hard and playing well and this is what we’ve achieved. It’s unreal.”
Left-back Garbutt, who joined Everton from Leeds last summer, added: “I’m buzzing. All the lads are really happy.
“I’d been booked towards the end of the game and I was just concentrating on their winger, not diving in and just showing him down the line so I didn’t know it was the end of the game.
“But then I saw everyone rush towards the bench and then I think we all just went mental. It’s incredible.”
It was also a special day for fellow Blue Barkley. The young midfielder played a crucial role in the winning goal.
“I’m made up,” Barkley said.
“We knew we had to settle it down towards the end. We had to stop their counter attacks and when we couldn’t, we just had to defend for our lives.
“I was so relieved when the game ended. This could benefit our careers loads.”
Manager John Peacock paid tribute to his Merseyside quartet.
Peacock said: “I’m absolutely delighted for the players because they’ve worked so hard and the spirit has been first class.
“It means a lot to the English game. We’ve got our critics – that we’re not producing players. I think we have produced many good players in this tournament.
“What was missing was a trophy that we can put our name to. We’ve done that now. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another 17 years for another one.”
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