In years gone by James Trafford has spent chunks of the off-season surrounded by livestock, sitting on a combine harvester or shifting hay bales on the family farm in Greysouthen, a village on the edge of the Lake District. But, this summer, he has not been helping his parents but preserving England’s impeccable defensive record at the European Under-21 Championship.
The semi-final final on Wednesday against Israel in Batumi, Georgia, will be his 57th game across the past 12 months and a year that started with the goalkeeper lining up in League One on loan at Bolton Wanderers is expected to end with a £19m move to the Premier League newcomers Burnley. And hopefully a winners’ medal to boot.
