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Beijing beckons for Derbyshire's Leon

22 July 2008

Leon, who works as a Tenancy Support Manager at Derby Homes, will be a goalkeeper in the seven-a-side Cerebral Palsy football squad.

He said: “Even though I’ve been involved with the England squad since 2003 I was still surprised to be called to the Great Britain squad for the Paralympic Games.

“As I’m 33 now, the chance of being selected again for Great Britain is unlikely, so this really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Leon’s interest in playing at international level began five years ago when he was surfing the Football Association’s website.

He said: “David Seaman had just stepped down and England were looking for a new goalkeeper.

“The website also said that the Cerebral Palsy squad needed a goalkeeper, so I applied. Despite the trial falling on the same day as my sister’s wedding, my application was successful. Within three months I was playing in the World Cup in Buenos Aires.”

Leon, who also travelled to Connecticut in the USA to play for England in the 2005 World Cup, is looking forward to his trip to Beijing. He is undergoing a strict training regime to prepare himself for the Games which, at times, has been difficult. His recent attendance at a training session at Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire meant that he had to cut short his family holiday and miss his wife’s birthday.

He said: “I’ve had to show real commitment to the training, and that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my wife and family. They’ve been very understanding.”

Leon trains and plays with the Great Britain squad every four to six weeks and he also attends weekly sessions of specialist goalkeeper training in Nuneaton. His fitness programme was devised by the Great Britain fitness coach to suit Leon’s individual needs. It consists of a balanced, low-fat diet, no alcohol and daily exercise including running and weights.

Leon’s Paralympic journey will begin on 23 August, when he will fly out with the Great Britain squad to Macau Island, where they will acclimatise for ten days and undergo warm weather training. They will then fly on to Beijing on 3 September and the tournament will run from 8 to 16 September. The Great Britain team is ranked sixth and is made up of 8 English players, and 4 Scottish players.

Leon’s Paralympic bid has also received the full support of his employer, Derby Homes, who have given Leon ten days special sporting leave.

He said: “Derby Homes have been very flexible. They’re also keen for me to share my experience with colleagues – when I get back from Beijing, I’m booked to talk as a guest speaker at our staff briefing.”

Jeff Davis National Football Development Manager for Disability at the Football Association (FA) said: "The squad has a massive challenge ahead. Great Britain Football has not competed in the Games for some time and has little experience, however I am confident they are well prepared and will be able to perform at the highest level."