As the entire world descends into a football frenzy, we decided to take this opportunity to combine two of the great loves of the Mankind team, and reflect on the footballing (and men’s grooming) achievements of England teams gone by. In this article, we’re going to take you through the unforgettable highs and hysterical lows of the vibrant history of England in international football (in haircuts).
Stanley Matthews 1934-1957
When Stanley Matthews first donned the white shirt for England, it was a simpler time. Choices of formation boiled down to 2-8 or 10-0, while choices of haircut were limited to ‘the peaky blinders’ or male pattern baldness. Known for his pace, dribbling, and crossing ability, the iconic Stoke City winger notched up 11 goals in his 54 appearances for England.
Bobby Charlton 1958-1970
Arguably the greatest English footballer of all time, with arguably the most ambitious comb-over in football history. Bobby Charlton was an icon for club and country, lifting the trophy in England’s one instance of International Football glory. He also held the record for the most goals scored by England (49) and Manchester Utd (249) until being unseated in 2015 and 2017 respectively by Wayne Rooney in both cases.
Kevin Keegan 1972-1982
If George Best was the Mick Jagger of British Football, then Kevin Keegan is doubtless the Rod Stewart. If you don’t believe us, have a look at this performance from his short-lived stint as a pop star. With 21 goals on the international stage, and an extensive club history both in playing and management, he’s also known for his many Keeganisms. Some of our favourite examples of his mental gymnastics include ‘I’m not disappointed – just disappointed’, ‘I don’t think there’s anyone bigger or smaller than Maradona’, and ‘The 33 or 34 year olds will be 36 or 37 by the time the next World Cup comes around, if they’re not careful’.