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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
David Byrom

Former Bristol Rovers, Bristol City, Derby County and Manchester United stars help England to quarter-finals of Senior World Cup

England have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Seniors World Cup as they look to defend their title for the fourth year running.

The veterans side is packed with a familiar faces, with former Bristol Rovers star Barry Hayles netting a 50-minute hat-trick in the side's opening game as they beat Taiwan 4-2.

Hayles netted 32 goals in 62 games for the Gas between 1997 and 1998 before earning a £2m move to Fulham, and he has clearly not forgotten where the back of the net is, even at the age of 47.

Chris Freestone, who played for the likes of Middlesbrough and Cheltenham Town, added the fourth.

It left the side needing just a point from Tuesday's game against Hong Kong to progress to the quarter-finals, and they duly secured it with a 1-1 draw thanks to former Derby County striker Deon Burton.

The competition is an annual event and was initially conceived in 2004 to promote Thailand and its tourism in the wake of the 2004 tsunami - it is now held in a different province of the country each year.

England are represented by Harrogate Veterans, although they draft in plenty of former professionals for the tournament.

Alongside Hayles, Burton and Freestone, there is plenty of experience on offer for the Three Lions this year.

Two former Bristol City players are also in this year's squad, with Alex Russell and Sean Davis featuring in their two opening games.

David had a long career that took in spells at Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth, whilst Russell also played for the likes of Torquay United and Exeter City.

Former Manchester United youth product Mark Wilson, who also played for the likes of Middlesbrough, Doncaster Rovers and FC Dallas is involved in this year's squad, as is ex-Rotherham United star Dean Barrick.

The quarter-finals and semi-finals will take place on Thursday and Friday respectively.

England have won the tournament five times, including the last three years in a row.

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