Derby goalkeeper stars in Lord Taverner's celebrity football match at Paralympic World Cup

2 June 2010

Derby goalkeeper Leon Taylor had the opportunity to mix with ex-footballers, soap stars and media when he took part in a celebrity football match during the Paralympic World Cup held at the Manchester Regional Arena.

35-year-old Leon, from Chaddesden, was born with Cerebral Palsy and was the goalkeeper for an England Cerebal Palsy development side which came face to face a celebrity team captained by former Manchester United and Wales International Clayton Blackmore.

The team also included James Hooton (aka as Sam Dingle from Emmerdale) and BBC Breakfast sports presenter Mike Bushell. The match referee was Chris Chittell (aka Eric Pollard from Emmerdale).

The match was played in an extremely competitive spirit and despite Leon's best efforts the 'celebrities' eventually ran out 5-3 winners.

Leon has been involved with the England Cerebral Palsy Team for the past seven years.

He said: "It was a really enjoyable experience and for the younger lads particularly it was an opportunity to play for the first time in front of a sizeable crowd and demonstrate what a great game seven- a-side CP football is.

"From a personal perspective I was disappointed that I allowed Sam Dingle to score past me, I'll never live it down with the wife - she's a big fan of Emmerdale!"

Emmerdale actor Chris Chittell said: “I wish the England development squad huge luck in the future - their efforts were sterling and I was very proud to be on the same pitch with them.”

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