Do England players get an actual cap?
- Published
Senior England players receive a cap for every appearance they make at international level from the Football Association.
The caps - produced by Toye, Kenning and Spencer, based in Warwickshire - have the opposition and year of the fixture stitched onto the front. The name of the player to whom the cap belongs is stitched onto a label inside.
Every player is also awarded a legacy cap on their international debut.
A gold cap is presented upon a player making their 100th international appearance - a feat that only 10 men's senior players have achieved.
Players who featured for England during World War One and Two were not awarded official caps as the fixtures are not recognised by Fifa.
The FA has retrospectively issued honorary caps to those internationals, with the family of Frank Soo set to receive his before Thursday's friendly against Wales. Soo was the first player of Asian descent to play for England - featuring eight times during World War Two.
The tradition of awarding physical caps began in 1886 after the FA took inspiration from cricket.
Robert Baker is recognised as England's first after starting in goal in the inaugural international match against Scotland in 1872.
Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence received England cap number 1295 after making his debut in the 5-0 victory against Serbia in September.
Goalkeeper Peter Shilton holds the record for most international appearances for England, playing 125 times between 1970 and 1990.
A player must start a Fifa recognised international match or be substituted onto the pitch in order to be eligible for an England cap.
Uncapped goalkeeper David Stockdale featured on the bench five times for England without coming on at international level.
Thanks to Sarah in Winchester for the question.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
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