The making of three England World Cup stars at Sunderland, Middlesbrough & Darlington

England’s World Cup quarter-final preparation is linked to the development pathways of three players shaped at Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Darlington, as described by academy manager Craig Liddle. After England’s victory over Mexico in the Azteca set up a last-eight clash with Norway, Liddle says he was “absolutely buzzing,” and credits the progress of Jordan Pickford, Dan Burn and Djed Spence. He has close ties to all three, including coaching Pickford when he was 12 and giving him a senior debut at Darlington at age 17. Liddle also claims Burn’s breakthrough came while the winger was pushing trolleys at Asda, and that he helped Spence develop into a first-team player at Middlesbrough after Spence was released by Fulham and spotted by the club. He recounts Burn’s early routine of commuting from Blyth and a near exit from football, while emphasizing Spence’s setback and recovery. The article notes Pickford is set to become England’s all-time record World Cup appearance maker, surpassing Peter Shilton.