Following in his father’s footsteps, Frank now has more caps than his dad, and looks to add quite a few more caps to his collection. Frank seems to be England’s current penalty taker after captain, David Beckham, stepped down from the job in October 2005. Frank scored from his first penalty against Austria on October 8, 2005.

Frank Lampard was never likely to lack skill as a footballer. When your father won the FA Cup twice with West Ham United and your uncle Harry also played for the East London side, as well as later managing it, there’s something in the blood.

Lampard Jr, however, nurtured his talent to the extent that he was worth £11million to Chelsea, who picked him up from the Upton Park club on 14 June 2001.

The midfielder has captained the England under-21 side and, with Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand, he formed part of one of the West Ham sides that was hotly-tipped to lift the East Londoners to glory.

Lampard made his Premiership debut against Sheffield Wednesday in 1996. During the 2003/04 Lampard blossomed as a player, shooting himself straight into the hearts of not only Chelsea fans but England fans too.

Lampard enjoyed a fantastic Euro 2004 — he scored three goals in the tournament and shone regardless of whether as part of Eriksson’s diamond formation or the more tranditional line-up.

He also continued his fine Euro 2004 form for the England team throughout the early stages of their World Cup 2006 qualifying campaign. With the retirement of Paul Scholes after Euro 2004, Lampard has proved indespensible for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s team, scoring three goals against Austria, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To cap his season, Lampard was awarded the Barclays Premiership Player of the Year Award as well as claiming the Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year Award.

Full name: Frank James Lampard

Popular name: Frank Lampard

Born: 20 June, 1978 in Romford, Essex

Height/Weight: 6’0”, 12st 6lbs (in 2000)

Club(s): West Ham United FC trainee, signing professional forms on 1 July 1995. Loaned to Swansea City FC on 6 October 1995. Signed for Chelsea FC for £11million on 3 July 2001.

Goals [top Scorers]: 10

Senior Debut: October 1999

Position: Midfield

Club honours: Football League (Carling) Cup winners 2004-05; FA

(Barclaycard) Premiership Champions 2004-05;

Individual honours: Voted second in PFA Player of the Year award 2003-04 and 2004-05; PFA Premiership Team of the Year 2003-04, 2004-05.