Newcastle ranks in the top 5 cities for producing Three Lions talent

The study from football betting tips, predictions and news site Footy Accumulators, aims to find England’s most patriotic cities ahead of Euro 2024. 25 of England’s most populated cities were tested against seven different factors. These factors include Google searches for England shirts, the most Royal Street and pub names, the most fish and chip shops, the most fancy dress shops and the popularity of fan parks in the area.

One factor honed in on the number of locally produced England footballers for the men’s first team throughout history. The number of talented Three Lions players that each city has produced was measured against the square mileage of the city.

Throughout history, a total of 56 Three Lions players have hailed from Newcastle or can call the place their closest city, and that’s from an area of 44 square miles and a population of over 800 thousand.

Goal-scoring extraordinaire Alan Shearer is famously from the area, as well as the current Middlesbrough manager and ex-Three Lions midfielder Michael Carrick.

World Cup winner Bobby Charlton also came from the Newcastle area, and went on to score 49 goals for the Three Lions during his career.

Top 10 UK Cities for Producing Local England Players

In the top spot is Liverpool, with a total of 66 Three Lions players that hail from the local area throughout history, which is an impressive number compared to the population of around half a million, and a size of just 43 square miles. This gives Liverpool a perfect score of 5/5.

The runner-up is Nottingham with a score of 4.8. Throughout history, 43 Three Lions players have hailed from the Nottingham area, all from an area of 29 square miles. Notable names include the likes of ex-Manchester United striker Andy Cole, who made 15 senior appearances for England between 1995 and 2001, as well as defender Viv Anderson.

Taking the bronze medal is Middlesbrough, with a total of 30 England representatives from the North East town that has an area of just 21 square miles, giving it a score of 4.7. Whilst there haven’t been any Three Lions representatives from the area recently, famous names from the past include Stewart Downing and Jonathan Woodgate, as well as Brian Clough, the manager who famously took Nottingham Forest to European and domestic success.

Up next is Manchester, with a total of 65 England representatives - but from a somewhat larger area of 46 square miles, giving the city a total score of 4.6. With local titan clubs such as Manchester United and Manchester City, there’s a huge number of players that have emerged from these clubs. Euro 2024 squad members, Phil Foden and Kobbie Mainoo are both from the local area, and the past has seen the likes of Brian Kidd and Paul Scholes represent England.

In fifth place is Newcastle Upon Tyne, with a total of 56 Three Lions representatives hailing from an area of 46 square miles, giving the area a score of 4.1. Goal-scoring extraordinaire Alan Shearer is famously from the area, as well as the current Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick. World Cup winner Bobby Charlton also came from the Newcastle area, and went on to score 49 goals for the Three Lions during his career.

In sixth to tenth place, Stoke on Trent scored 2.5, Birmingham scored 2.4, Derby scored 2.2, and Leicester and Portsmouth both scored 1.9.

London came 15th on the last, and while the capital has produced 223 England players, the most individuals in total, the proportion of talent is not as high as might be expected when the 671 square mile area is taken into account.

Surprisingly, Leeds placed second to bottom when it comes to England talent produced, scoring just 0.2. The city has produced a total of just 16 Three Lions representatives from a huge area of 212 square miles.

In last place is the neighbouring city, Bradford, scoring 0.1 out of 5. The city has produced just nine England players, with a huge population and an area sized 141 square miles.