Our volunteer journalist Andy Naylor reports on his experience at the blind football exhibition game held at Middlesex University:
It can’t be happening. I’ve just finished interviewing three top level English footballers and they are all shaking my hand and thanking me. Are the reports of England’s elite sportsmen being arrogant, whinging, overpaid children wide of the mark? Well I can’t comment on messers Rooney, Terry and the rest but after meeting three of England’s top blind footballers I can say that this country do have players they can be proud of.
I’m down at Middlesex University in Hendon which acts as headquarters to the Middlesex and Home Counties blind football squad. The crowd of curious students here have just been treated to a thrilling game that will have won this incredible sport some new fans. Today’s exhibition match between Middlesex and West Brom has been held to raise the profile of this Paralympics sport and to generate some much needed support.
Blind football follows the rules of futsol, which means teams consist of five players on each team, a sighted goalkeeper and four outfield players. The players are all blind or severely visually impaired and wear eye masks to ensure fairness. The goalkeepers are players of a very high standard and are often semi professional players. The game finishes three one to Middlesex with nineteen year old Michael Smith bagging all three goals for the home team. Smith has capped an eventful six months in blind football by being called up to the English Development squad and is possibly on the verge of a dream call up to the paralympic squad for London 2012. Considering he has just hit a hat trick, Smith is modest about the rapid impact he has made on the game.
Michael in action “I’m not really thinking about 2012 to be honest” he grins “that would be a dream come true but at the moment I’m concentrating on staying fit and developing my game. I’ve been a bit injury plagued recently so I’m just happy to be out there.”
A student at Kings College, Smith was a talented player before beginning to lose his sight two years ago. Now with just seven percent vision in his right eye he’s determined to carve out a name for himself in blind football. Despite being a diehard Arsenal fan he does admit to modelling himself on a Chelsea midfielder.
“My favourite player is John Obi Mikel” says Mike “He’s a midfielder like me and tackles hard as well as scoring some spectacular goals”
Middlesex can also boast two other international quality players in Tony Stockman and Danny Miles. Stockman is a veteran who took part in the first blind football world cup, held in Brazil in 1998. His experience is vital in a team of young, up and coming stars.
“The world cup was an occasion I will never forget” he says “to be surrounded by the top players in the game was fantastic. We didn’t do too well but just to be there was an incredible achievement.”
Danny Miles is another young player with aspirations. He has recently attended a development camp with the full English squad and was impressed with the levels of professionalism around the team.
“At Middlesex we have a fantastic group of coaches, so in a way I was used to that” he begins “but the international standard was obviously a step up from the domestic game and I loved being part of it.”
The blind football league in England is based entirely in Hereford which can mean a lot of travelling back and forth. Charities such as The Greater London Fund for the Blind are throwing their support behind the campaign to raise awareness of the game and its players. Something that can’t come too soon for Tony and Danny.
“We have a hard time recruiting new players to come down” says Tony “today’s game has all been about showing people what we can do and getting them interested. Any help we can get in doing this will really help the sport grow.”
A man with a big grin on his face is Middlesex coach Dan Slaughter. Slaughter has been coaching the team for two years and is excited about the future for his players.
“There’s a lot of talent in this team and the game as a whole” he says “Mike Smith has only been playing the game for six months but the England managers are already raving about him. I recommend any football fan to come along and watch a game.”
I finished the day by trying my hand at a blindfolded penalty which won’t have unduly worried any of the Middlesex squad. As my tame shot dribbled towards the goal I slipped off the eye mask and shuffled away as the players completed their warm downs.
Blind football? Best left to the professionals!
Donations to the GLFB helped to provide a grant to Middlesex F.A. to pay for the coaching, equipment and general costs of the Middlesex and Home Counties Blind Football Team.
