Inside England Deaf team's preparations ahead of "dream" World Cup
For many, it's the stuff of dreams to don the Three Lions and represent England at a major tournament.
Those dreams are set to come true for a 20-man strong squad heading over to Malaysia to kick off their World Deaf Football Championships. Following an intense preparation period spent at St George’s Park, Sam Manoochehri’s team are priming themselves for glory.
The England sides have enjoyed an unprecedented period of success over the past few years. The Three Lions have reached the final and semi-final of major competitions under Gareth Southgate, whilst the Lionesses lifted the Euros and were also narrowly edged out in this summer's World Cup final.
The success does not end there. England have also lifted the under-21, under-19 Euros and the under-17 World Cup over the last seven years. The Para Lions are hoping to join that illustrious list.
England take on Australia in their opening group game (Getty Images)Striker Cavell Donaldson is under no illusions as to what his side’s task is in Kuala Lumpur. Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football, he said: “It would be a dream to be a World Cup winner. I think we’ve got the squad for it we just need to get there now and perform. We’re all fit and been training for the past two years so we’re ready to go.”
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That is a view shared by veteran forward Matt McQueeney, who is set to make his World Championship debut at 34. He said: “[I want to] go out there and have a fantastic tournament and show the world what my football ability is all about. Get out there and hammer some players.
“After the game some people will be like ‘oh, there’s that Matthew McQueeney’. For the team ambitions, go out there, give it our all and win that competition. You’ve had the CP [cerebral palsy] team and for us to go a step further would be massive. If we can’t win it, it’s just us who have let us down.”
Matt McQueeney is set to make his World Championship debut (Getty Images)
Cavell Donaldson has desires on the Golden Boot in Malaysia (Getty Images)Away from their ambitions of major silverware, another target for the side is to bring deaf and para football into the view of mainstream supporters. There are already promising signs of progress with last year’s FA Disability Cup final becoming the first-ever deaf football match to be broadcast live on TV in the UK.
“A few years back we had nothing so it’s been a big difference," Donaldson said. "It’s more on social media, it’s more noticed and that’s what we’ve been wanting. The sport is for everyone to get involved in.”
“I think the whole world is kind of changing towards the deaf culture,” McQueeney adds. “It’s absolutely amazing that the FA have came in and wanted to look at us. Hopefully, we do them proud and carry on for the next few years. Like I just mentioned, it’s definitely breaking down barriers.”
England have been training at St George's Park (Getty Images)For the pair - and the majority of their Para Football colleagues - it hasn’t been an easy route to get involved. Each started within mainstream football but have taken slightly different directions to eventually become an England player.
Donaldson, 24, saw an advert on social media about deaf football and made sure to secure himself a place at FA trials. Meanwhile, McQueeney actually represented England at amateur level at the UEFA Regions Cup before being spotted and offered a spot on the deaf team.
He suggests that regardless of the game, whenever the Three Lions badge is situated on his chest, the feeling is exactly the same. “It’s the biggest honour that you could actually receive as a footballer,” he said. “Regardless of amateur, semi-professional or a professional, you just can’t beat playing for England.”
Cavell Donaldson and Matt McQueeney vie for possession at St George's Park (Getty Images)Donaldson feels exactly the same. “It’s the best feeling [representing England]. You can’t describe it," he says. "When you put the top on, you just want to play your best and make sure you win the game. The best feeling.”
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England kick-off their campaign in Malaysia with a clash against Australia on Saturday afternoon, before then facing further group tests against Nigeria and Gabon. The Para Lions have certainly been put through their paces ahead of the tournament.
A number of warm-weather training camps have been held in Tenerife, Portugal and the United States, as well as the work at St George's Park. For many, once the referee’s whistle blows, it will signal the culmination of years of hard work.
England kick off their World Championship campaign on Saturday (Getty Images)It didn’t all quite go to plan though. Just three months ahead of the tournament, McQueeney suffered from a fractured rib and collapsed lung. It has been a long and arduous journey for him to force himself into contention, but one he feels was worth it.
He explained: “The last two or three months, it’s been a massive push. I can just feel my body. I’ve been pushing myself and the last two or three days, I’ve been feeling it. I think I’ve been showing the training I’ve been doing has paid off.”
There is no doubt then that England head to Malaysia in the best possible mindset and condition to lift their much-desired trophy. And each member of the squad will be taking in every second.
“When I’m older, I will be telling my kids and my grandkids all about this,” McQueeney concludes. “This is what dreams are made of.”
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