Keeley - who is also The FA’s regional development manager for the north west - has named a 10-man squad for the 2004 Partially Sighted World Championships, which take place at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester from December 11-18.

The other half of the management team also has strong north-west connections in the form of coach John Ackerley, who is county development manager for Cheshire FA.

England’s attempt to emulate the boys of ’66 by winning a world title on home soil sees them launch their five-a-side campaign against Cyprus and Ukraine in the group stages. The 12-team Futsal tournament also includes Spain, France, Italy and Turkey as well as reigning world champions Belarus.

Keeley has been in charge for around 18 months, having taken over for reasons which underline the growing seriousness with which The FA is approaching disability football.

"I was working previously with Tony Larkin and the blind squad, but Tony was looking after the partially sighted team as well which was an impossible task as he was trying to be in two places at once.

"I was asked to take on the running of the partially sighted team to try to improve the overall situation for visually impaired football at national level. Both teams have benefited from this move.

The next task was to transform a squad which was competing adequately into one capable of competing at the highest level.

"That team two years ago had just been to the world championships in Italy and come seventh, so I suppose there was a feeling we needed to move them up the rankings and identify some new players," said Keeley.

Long-serving skipper Steve Daley, who plays for the Everton Visually Impaired team, was among those who made it clear that he wanted to play for a side that was going places, and with backing from an FA scouting network the search for fresh talent got under way.

Keeley believes it has been a successful search – even though the squad features three over-40s including former army sergeant major Wayne Perry, from Sheffield, who will be making his full international debut as the squad’s senior statesman at 45.

"The ultimate aim is to find new, up and coming young players who will be part of the squad for years to come. We have discovered two or three of those, but we have also found good experienced older players. Together with the backbone of the established players in the squad, we feel we have a good mix now," said Keeley.

"I would be disappointed if we didn’t make at least the semis – anything after that would be a bonus. I think we could win it – with that little bit of luck that you need."

Ackerley, who has been coach for around three years, confirms that the squad has benefited hugely from increased FA funding. "They are now treated the same as any other national team, they don’t have to pay to travel to tournaments, they’ve got their kit, their medical team – everything," he said.

The tournament looks set to draw sizeable crowds to the Velodrome, and Ackerley is confident that audiences will be impressed by both the Futsal format, and by the quality of play.

"A lot of people in this country will not be familiar with Futsal, but it’s basically five-a-side football with 11-a-side rules. That encourages very, very quick counter-attacking play and very skilful play. It’s end to end stuff and there’s always going to be goals.

"The quality of the play will be superb. The squad is excellent and all of them are technically very good. We don’t really focus on their disability. We focus on what they can do rather than what they can’t do, and the players think in that way."

This will be the fourth world championship, the event having previously been staged in France, Brazil and Italy. The only concession to the players’ disability is that the goalkeepers are fully sighted.

Sir Trevor Brooking, FA Director of Football Development, said one of the many aims of the world championships was to raise the profile of partially sighted and disabled football.

"I know that people who come to watch this event will be impressed by the standard of football on show," said Sir Trevor. "These players are role models and serve as an inspiration to others. They are helping us to put over a very important message, which is that everyone should have the opportunity to play this wonderful game."

Earlier this year The FA pledged £1million towards a three-year plan designed to increase the participation of disabled people in the game, whether playing, coaching, refereeing or volunteering.

More than 1200 tickets out of 3000 have already been snapped up for England’s first game against Cyprus at 8pm on Saturday, December 11 – immediately after the opening ceremony. They then face Ukraine at 7pm on Tuesday, December 14.

Tickets for the tournament are free, but need to be booked in advance on 0161 8810299. Information can also be found on the official tournament website at www.manchesterfa.co.uk/pswc/index.html