Kieran Trippier lifts lid on England's secret full-back factory as latest star emerges

Bury is famous for black pudding, Sir Robert Peel - and England full-backs.

‌The Lancashire market town on the outskirts of Manchester is home to Gary and Phil Neville, Kieran Trippier and new Three Lions recruit Rico Lewis. It has produced more England players who have appeared at major tournaments than any other town in the country. Maybe there’s something in the Irwell water.

‌Trippier, the Newcastle defender who at the age of 33 is currently the most productive performer in the Premier League when it comes to creating chances, can't explain why Bury is the go-to place for a full-back. But he does know that the position has changed beyond all recognition from the days when the Neville brothers were operating on opposite flanks for both Manchester United and England.

‌“The game has evolved tactically compared to when Gary was playing,” said Trippier.

‌“Gary was one of those players who would bomb on. He was a top-quality right-back and he deserves huge credit because you don't win that many titles for your club or play for Man United for that long if you weren't a good player. But if you look now at the way full-backs are playing, you see Trent (Alexander-Arnold) at Liverpool coming inside.

‌“Or Stonesy ( John Stones ). One minute he's playing at right-back, then he’s at No 6, then he's an eight, and then he's just behind the striker - so he's everywhere like he was in the Champions League final. That comes with managers like Pep Guardiola coming into the league and changing the way his teams play - and then obviously a lot of other teams try to copy that. But I don’t have a clue why Bury has produced so many full-backs, to be honest with you. Rico has come in now - and he’s been top for Man City.

“The demands on the