The players in this football line-up are in a Premier League of their own when it comes to courage and determination.
Aged from three to 17, the dynamic dozen are aiming to represent their country one day. All are junior players with the England Amputee Football Association.
Each youngster was either born with a missing limb, or has had one amputated.
But that hasn’t stopped them being regulars at EAFA training camps. Head coach Scott Rogers says: “It’s inspirational to watch them play.
“Many have been on a difficult journey because of losing limbs – they have all learned to build resilience. Many will go on to international level. Our adult team plays all over the world, and these juniors are in preparation for making the international side after they have reached 18.”
Everyone in the squad, bar the goalkeeper, plays using crutches, without their prosthetic limbs. “To see them come off their prosthetics and get on their crutches is amazing,” says Scott.
“The skill level is extremely high. I coach amputee players no differently than I do at elite academies.”
With the FA now pumping more investment into the EAFA, England head to Poland for the Nations League tournament this year and to the European Championships in Ireland in 2024.
England finished 9th out of 24 international teams after last year’s Amputee World Cup in Turkey.
Goalie Henley Cavanagh, 15, of Stockport, was born with his right leg shorter than his left and three fingers missing on his right hand.
Mother-of-three Leanne, 42, says: “He’s met some lifelong friends through the football who have gone through the same things he has.”
Arthur Dyal, aged nine, had his leg amputated in January this year after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.
He is still undergoing chemotherapy treatment. His mother Michelle, 39, of Orpington, Kent, says: “When we first came to the amputee football training Arthur was amazed at how fast they all were and asked if one day he would be that fast too.”
Jack Wimpenny, 15, was born with his lower right leg bone missing and his right forearm too.
He had his right leg amputated at a year old and has learned to ski, ride bikes and climb trees.
Mum-of-three Chloe, 50, of Nantwich, Cheshire, says: “He’s always wanted to have a go at everything his brother and sister did.”
Freddie Palin, 17, was born without his left hand and is a goalie. He loves sport and has also just been selected for the British Paratriathlon Academy and hopes to compete in the LA Olympics in four years.
Mum Hannah, 48, a Swindon PE teacher, says: “He’s never let it hold him back. And there has been tremendous support from the Football Association for amputee football.”
Finley Tuck’s mum Samantha was urged to have a termination when doctors found her baby had only one leg, one working kidney, and a curved spine.
Samantha, 39, of Scunthorpe, says: “They told me he wouldn’t have any quality of life. But I fought for my child. I said he can live with one kidney and one leg, why can’t he be given a chance? He’s proved everyone wrong, and loves playing football.
“We are so proud of him.”
Ashton Hulme, 14, played junior football for Crewe Alexandra until a tumour was found in his right leg, which had to be amputated in March 2021. Mum Vicky, 41, of Newcastle, says: “He asked me ‘how am I going to live without football’. Being part of the England amputee squad is amazing for him. It’s fantastic.”
Harrison Leyland, 15, was born with neurofibromatosis type 1 which causes benign tumours to grow on nerve endings.
His leg was bow shaped and was amputated when he was five.
Mum-of-two Marie, of Bury, says: “He has tumours in his optic nerve and pituitary gland too.
“But he’s thrilled to be playing football, something he’s dreamed of doing. He’s the happiest kid around.”
Lucas Keith is three and was born missing his lower leg bone. He had to have an amputation in January last year.
His mum Lauren, 31, says: “He has thrived since starting to play football. On first morning of the camp he saw one of the other players and said, ‘Look mummy he’s only got one foot, just like me’.”
Charlie Walton, aged seven, of Billingham, Co Durham, was born with his lower right leg missing and the remnants of a foot attached to his knee. He had his leg amputated last January.
Mum-of-three Alison Young, 44, says: “When he had his prosthetic leg fitted he was thrilled to sit at a desk in school like everyone else.
“It was so important to him. And he’s always wanted to be part of a team.”
Max Lamb, 11, of St Helens, Merseyside, had to have his right leg amputated when he was just seven weeks old after an amniotic band cut the blood flow to it in mum Rachel’s womb.
Dad Chris, 46, says: “He’s never known anything different and he’s coped amazingly well. The squad get on so well, he’s made some fantastic friends here.
“And playing football has given Max a real purpose.”
Jacob Harper, 12, was born without a left hand and would tell people it had been eaten by a shark.
His dad David, 45, of Horsted Keynes, Mid Sussex, says: “He’s never let it hold him back and he was the smallest person in the
UK to be fitted with an electronic arm at the age of two.
“Being part of the amputee football squad has given him so much confidence because he’s found something he’s really good at.”
Freddie Mahoney, 11, of Leeds, was born when his mother Amanda was just 24 weeks pregnant.
When he was only a few hours old suffered a blood clot in his left leg. Doctors tried to save it, but he had to have it amputated when he was 14 weeks old. Mum-of-two Amanda, 45, says: “He started getting into football 18 months ago.
“He joined the amputee squad in September last year and he loves it.”
Aubree Dempster is three. She was born with her calf bone in her right leg shorter than her left, and she had an amputation in January last year.
Her mum Caysey Quinn, 26, of Sunderland, says: “Aubree always struggled to walk with the difference in the length of her legs.
“So she had it amputated and a prosthetic fitted. Now she runs around and there’s no stopping her.
“She loves playing football and watches it with her grandad and dad.”
