Staff:

Tony Larkin – Techical Director

Tony has been involved longer than The FA came on board and has been instrumental as Technical Director in developing football for both the visually impaired (Blind) and partially sighted in England.

Tony started off as an apprentice with Everton, moved to Wrexham (where he played 46 games), then to Shrewsbury (played 108 games – winning 3rd Division Championship in 1978-79).

Tony reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup losing out to Wolverhampton Wanderers having beaten Manchester City earlier in the competition.

Tony then moved to Carlisle United and won promotion in the first season to 2nd Division, playing 82 games. He ended his career at Hereford United where he played 62 games. Gained his coaching credentials at the age of 21 and coached in USA for four years.

John Ball – FA Support Manager / Coach

Has been involved in football for over fifty years as a player, coach, referee and in development. John has been a qualified Coach since 1968 and was involved in Coach Education in UK, Europe, USA and Malaysia.

John officiated as a linesman and then became a referee in the Football League in the 70s and 80s. John is currently involved in Football Development in Leicestershire & Rutland, now with an emphasis in Disability Football.

He is the lead tutor for The FA in Coaching Disabled Footballers and is a member of the National FA Disability Advisory Group.

John was the Championship Director for the first European Championships for Players with Learning Disabilities in 1996 in England. John is currently the Support Manager and Coach to the England Blind Squad and has been working alongside Tony Larkin in coaching the team since early 2004.

Phillip Dean – Team General Assistant

Phillip is a member of teaching staff at the RNC, Hereford. As a goalkeeper he played in two European and two World Cups for the England Blind Squad.

Phillip assists with training, refereeing, the kit and general match day matters.

Richard Usher – Team Doctor

Richard has come in late as a replacement for Mike England who cannot make the trip

Elaine Watson – Team Physiotherapist

Elaine is a key member of the support staff in her role as Chartered Physiotherapist and previously worked as a physio at Nottingham Forest. Elaine is now working in the private sector in her role as a Chartered Physiotherapist Elaine has been with the England Squad since 2002.

Team:

Ajmal Ahmed

Ajmal played in his first European Championship in Portugal in 1999. In total has played in 3 European, 1 Pan World and 2 World Cups.

Ajmal is a big Liverpool supporter and goes to all the games at home and abroad. He is currently a mature student at University studying Sports Science Within the squad he is known as Mr. Consistency

Andrew Briant

Andrew is a student at the RNIB at Worcester working towards "A" levels He made his debut in the Pan World Games in Argentina in 2004. Andrew is a versatile player who can operate at either forward or wing back, and is a good long term prospect.

David Clarke

David has a successful career in Commercial Banking in the City of London. He is the longest serving member of the Squad who has given sterling service for his Country. David is well respected throughout the World as a star striker and is easily the top scorer for England in all competitions. He is a great role model for the sport.

His aim is to win major competitions at European, World and Olympic level before he retires. David has also represented Great Britain in the Paralympics at Goalball.

Lee Greatbach

Lee is undertaking a degree in Sports Studies at the University in Staffordshire. He made his debut in European Championships in Paris in 2001. Lee played in the European Championships in Manchester and has also appeared at the World Cup and the Pan World Games.

Lee only started playing the game in 2001. He has done extremely well to recover from a serious illness and injury.

Darren Harris

Darren is the captain of the team, an extremely fit and versatile player who is quite comfortable playing at the centre of the defence or as a striker. He is another long serving member of the squad with a great deal of experience at International level and is respected in the World game.

Darren has represented Great Britain in International events in Judo and Athletics. Like David Clarke, Darren is ambitious to win major competitions in Europe, World wide and at the Paralympics. Darren is a consistent performer.

John Pugh

John is a goalkeeper and professionally he is a self-employed builder. John was on Hereford United’s books as a non-contract player, and has played over 500 games for Westfield in the Midland Alliance League.

This is John’s tenth year with team and he is naturally a veteran of many campaigns. John is regarded by the players and staff with England as the best Goalkeeper in World Blind football, and is therefore keen to win a major championship.

Keryn Seal

Keryn works in marketing for the BBC and also played for England at cricket in Australia and India. Keryn played his first International Tournament in Portugal in September this year and is a future star in the making. Keryn has previously represented Partially Sighted England team at cricket.

Rory Hollingshead

Rory is new to the squad and is a very able deputy goalkeeper for John Pugh. Rory currently plays for Westfield in the Midland Alliance League.

Stephen Winter

Stephen is studying at the RNC, Hereford, for a degree in Sports Massage and Remedial Therapy. He is also doing voluntary work at Reading. Stephen only lost his sight two years ago and was on Schoolboy form at Portsmouth. Before he lost his sight Stephen played and managed a local football team, and he has worked extremely hard in a short period of time to adapt to this game.

Simon Hill

Simon has really developed in the past few months both in terms of his technical ability and strength and has gained his place in the Squad on merit. Simon has the potential to become a part of the Squad for many years to come.