STRIKER Peter Crouch has become the first Macclesfield-born player to represent England.
The 6ft 7in Southampton ace made his debut in England's 3-2 victory against Colombia in New York's Giants Stadium on Tuesday night.
And quick-thinking Crouch, who was born in Macc before moving down south as a youngster, created the second goal.
The beanpole forward caught the South American's defence napping with a quick free-kick to Michael Owen and his strike partner slid the ball home in the friendly.
Crouch, 24, a surprise selection for the two-game tour of America, was ruled out of England's opening 2-1 win against the host nation with an ankle injury.
But his performance against Columbia will have done his chances of being part of Sven Goran Eriksson's plans for the World Cup next year no harm.
The Premiership star formed an effective little-and-large partnership with Owen, who grabbed a hat-trick in the win, before being replaced in the 72nd minute.
Crouch moved to London with his family as a young child and was soon snapped up by Tottenham Hotspur in 1998. The forward never played in the first team at White Hart Lane and had spells with QPR and Portsmouth before Aston Villa manager Graham Taylor signed him for £5million.
After an unhappy spell at Villa Park, Crouch joined Southampton last season where he was a huge success, scoring 16 times, but couldn't prevent the Saints being relegated.
While Crouch was the first Macc-born player to be picked by England, he is not the first to gain international recognition.
That honour reamains with Northern Ireland's Chris Nicholl. The ex-Aston Villa and Southampton defender played 51 times for his country between 1975 and 1984.
