Andy McCann has only just gotten back to his regular duties. By day he serves as an assistant headteacher at Great Sankey High School in Warrington, and with the summer break now behind him the new academic term is in full swing.
Yet, in a surprising twist, he is about to step away from the classroom for eight days to take on a role that could be described as "England manager" – albeit in a very specific, amateur context. McCann also holds the position of manager for the Cheshire League representative side, a squad assembled from the finest players competing in the Cheshire League Premier Division. His team clinched the FA Inter‑League Cup by defeating the Herts Senior County League at Leicester’s King Power Stadium on 9 May, a victory that earned them the right to wear the England badge at the UEFA Regions Cup.
The Regions Cup is an amateur competition that was launched in 1996 and, after an initial trial run, has been staged every two years since 1999, with the sole exception of 2021 when the Covid‑19 pandemic forced a cancellation. National associations either qualify or receive a nomination, after which the teams are divided into eight groups for an intermediate stage. The eight group winners then progress to a final tournament.
Historically, Spain have been the most successful nation with four titles, followed by Italy (three), Poland (two) and a handful of one‑off winners such as the Republic of Ireland, Portugal, Croatia and the Czech Republic. On Sunday 6 September, McCann and his squad will fly to Sweden to play three matches, hoping to become the first English side ever to reach the Regions Cup finals. "During the Inter‑League Cup, the chairman Rob Goodwin‑Davey – who is the Mr Cheshire League – kept telling me there was a chance we could go on to represent England, but I was only focused on winning the cup itself," McCann told Sky Sports. "When we finally lifted the trophy, people in the pub started saying, ‘Now that the World Cup is over, you’re England manager!’" He quickly added that while the comparison to the senior national team is tongue‑in‑cheek, the experience does feel like a miniature version of international management.
"It’s a real privilege and an honour to be England manager for a week, even if it’s at a lower level. We’ve decided we’re the England D team, and we’ll wear the badge with pride," he said. The team will travel to Sweden fully kitted out in the official England strip – the same tracksuits, training shirts, shorts and socks that the senior side wear on the world stage.
"Seeing the boys put on that kit is massive for them. Some of the lads are more excited about the shirt than the competition itself," McCann noted.
What sets the Cheshire League side apart from professional outfits is that every player is an amateur with a day job. The squad includes electrician captain Tim Kinsella, quantity‑surveyor vice‑captain Liam McDowell, two qualified PE teachers and several players studying for PGCEs. Others, such as AJ Atherton, George Anthony, Callum Burgess and the rest of the roster, juggle full‑time employment with training sessions after work.
"Some have taken unpaid leave, but most are using their normal holiday to enjoy eight days away from work," McCann explained. "We promised the squad that if we won the Inter‑League Cup, they would be the ones I’d take to Sweden, and I’ve stuck to that promise.
The only absentee is Juliano Rosa Silva, who played every minute of the cup but is now injured and heart‑broken to miss the trip." Scouting opponents at this level is a challenge. "For the first game we have an FA‑registered coach whose main job is to observe the other teams. He’ll watch the two opponents we face after our Monday match," McCann said. "By the second and third games we’ll have more information and be better prepared.
Our focus for the opening match is to replicate what got us to the King Power and what helped us win the Inter‑League Cup." McCann believes his selection criteria have produced a balanced side. "We have a blend of technical ability and raw power and pace. While there are probably more technically gifted players in the Cheshire League, we chose those who fit our style and strengths," he remarked.
The Cheshire League will be grouped with representative sides from Finland (Jarvenpää United), Portugal (Algarve) and Sweden (Gothenburg). In the overall ranking of the 34 participating teams, Finland sit 11th, Portugal 7th, Sweden 30th, while the Cheshire League are placed 17th – a respectable mid‑table position that underscores the competitive nature of the tournament. Preparation for the Swedish adventure has been as professional as possible given the amateur status of the players.
"We have a detailed eight‑day schedule down to the hour: rest, recovery, meals, training blocks that mirror match timings. If you’re going to do it, you do it to the best of your ability," McCann emphasized. He also arranged for three members of the Mid‑Cheshire team that won the Inter‑League Cup in 2004 to give a motivational talk after the final training session.
"I met two of those veterans over the summer, asked them what worked for them, and incorporated their advice into our plan," he said. The ultimate goal is not merely to enjoy a week of wearing the England badge; it is to win all three group matches, advance to the finals, and raise the profile of amateur football for future generations. "We’re not just going to be England for seven days and then get beaten.
The focus is on winning and using this platform to inspire the next wave of players," McCann asserted. When the Swedish trip concludes, McCann will return to his school duties at the crack of dawn, ready to teach and mentor the next generation of students – perhaps with a new title in his back pocket: England D team manager, however modest that may be. The experience, he hopes, will resonate far beyond the pitch, showing young people that dedication and teamwork can lead to extraordinary opportunities, even for those who balance a day job with a love of the beautiful game.