Vienna will be a reminder

Last updated : 04 September 2004 By Tony Scholes

John Angus at the unveiling of the Turf Moor Wall of Legends earlier this year
In May 1961, and with the World Cup in Chile just a year away, both John Angus and Brian Miller were selected to play for England for the very first time in a friendly against Austria in Vienna.

Just to make things somewhat more difficult for them they were both played out of position with Angus at left-back and Miller taking the right-half slot. Despite that, both played well on their debuts and England manager of the time Walter Winterbottom even described John Angus’ performance as one of the best debuts he had ever seen.

Many Burnley players struggled to win the England recognition that they deserved and neither Angus nor Miller were ever selected again despite their impressive showings and they were left to concentrate on keeping the Clarets at the top of the league.

Many fine judges expected the pair, along with John Connelly and Ray Pointer, to be part of England’s World Cup squad in 1962 – incredibly none of them made it. Connelly played and scored in the last match before the competition and was back in the side again early in the following season.

Back to Vienna, and in May 1961 it ended in a 3-1 defeat with Chelsea’s Jimmy Greaves scoring the England goal.

England lined up: Ron Springett (Sheffield Wednesday), Jimmy Armfield (Blackpool), John Angus (Burnley), Brian Miller (Burnley), Peter Swan (Sheffield Wednesday), Ron Flowers (Wolves), Bryan Douglas (Blackburn), Jimmy Greaves (Chelsea), Gerry Hitchens (Aston Villa), Johnny Haynes (Fulham), Bobby Charlton (Manchester United).