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Poland have in the past produced a number of fantastic footballers
such as Boniek, Lato, Dudek and Deina, but few knew that political
decessions after the World War II made it possible for a group of
players with Polish descent to play for British nations
Ray Mielczarek, Phil Jagielka (pic), Eddie
Niedzwiecki and Dick Krzywicki are all players either with Polish
parents or of Polish descent who have played for England or Wales.
The fact that they made it as footballers and has succeeded well in the
English game is not something that should be taken for granted.
Mielczarek and Krzywicki were household names in the English game during
the 60's and 70's. Mielczarek spent his career at Wrexham, Huddersfield
and Rotherham. Krzywicki played in the top flight with WBA and
Huddersfield.
Eddie Niedzwiecki has a long life in English football firstly as a
goalkeeper with Wrexham and Chelsea, and later as a coach at Chelsea,
Arsenal, Blackburn and lately under Mark Hughes at Man City.
Phil Jagielka is maybe the most known player today with a Polish descent
who is both playing for England and being a solid defender at Premier
League club Everton.
Pawel Abbott and Lukas Jutkiewicz are two other players of Polish
descent currently playing in the English league. Abbott is at the moment
with League 1 club Oldham and Jutkiewich with Everton.
Abbott has made a decission and decided to play for Poland and has been
capped at U.21 level. Jutkiewicz has not yet made a decission. He can
play for England, Rep of Ireland or Poland. Both players are born in
England. Andy Johnson is a third player of polish descent.
Poland has a rare and special connection to England especially after
what happened during and after the World War II. Several Polish
regiments were under English command, with a base in England and Wales.
Polish people who had either done service for England or flewed their
own country to escape communism, got a chance to settle in Great Britain
after the World War II.
An exciled Polish government was established after the World War II by
the Polish emmigrants in England and run from an office in London. This
government was active until 1991 when Poland had secured their freedom
and democratic laws.
To read more about the Polish British,
enter here
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