What are the ‘legacy numbers’ on England players’ shirts for TONIGHT’S 1000th international game against Montenegro?

ENGLAND face Montenegro at Wembley in a landmark match.

The Euro 2020 clash will see the Three Lions reach their 1000th international game, with players set to wear a commemorative shirt to mark the occasion.

What the ‘legacy numbers’ on the England shirts?

Each England star has a number that correlates to the order of when they represented the Three Lions.

The nation’s goalkeeper in the first international in 1972, Robert Barker, is number one – while Tyrone Mings is number 1244, being the most recent debutant.

For the match, UEFA have given England special dispensation to mark the occasion so that each player will sport their own number underneath the crest.

These will be moved to inside the shirt collars for future matches.

Yet, they are not the only ones to be handed this special jerseys, with several former players invited to Wembley to receive their very own historical memento.

These include every ex-England captain, all internationals with 50 caps or more along with the remaining 1966 World Cup winners.

Viv Anderson will also be in attendance to pick his shirt, having become the first black player to represent the Three Lions at senior level.

Meanwhile, Gareth Southgate has received his with the number 1071, having made his debut in December 1995.

When was England’s first international match?

England and Scotland contested the first ever official international match on November 30, 1872.

They had played out five games together beforehand, but were considered representative matches, because they were organised by a single association – unlike their November 1872 clash.

This affair finished 0-0 with Robert Barker becoming England’s first capped player as the goalkeeper.