AMPUTEE FOOTBALL

Pete Dawson is a rarity, He comes from Hull and he has played football for England in a World Cup. Not many people from this fair City can say this. Pete has represented his country in Amputee Football, which is football played by sportsmen who have had the misfortune to have lost a limb.

History

The game began in El Salvador in the late 1970's, many soldiers and civilians had been unable to acquire artificial legs and were reliant on lightweight crutches for mobility. Eventually some of the Amputees began to play football using their crutches for mobility and good leg for kicking. News of the adapted sport spread throughout the World and through the influence of FIFA reached Europe in the mid 1980's. Amputees who had acquired an artificial leg remove this so that all Amputees compete on an equal basis of one leg and crutches for mobility. Pete himself only heard of the sport in 1989 and by this time around seventy players were registered in England. The game is played at a considerable speed and indeed some of the better players in England had been promising footballers before their misfortune. To enable kick-abouts able bodied players can become involved but can only use one leg or arm whilst playing. Amputees with only one arm are able to play in goal.

The England Team

Pete has been involved with the national squad throughout the 1990's and this has meant monthly trips to Manchester to practice with the squad. Locally there are three amputees in the county and they practice at the Walton Street Leisure centre weekly with the support of able bodied friends who participate in the kickabouts. Pete is very close to being able to forming a five a side team to represent the Hull/Humberside district and this would then be able to participate in games against other districts who could form a representative team. A tournament was being held in April featuring sides from Hull, Norwich and Manchester who also featured guest players from outside of their home districts. Ideally this will be followed by regular games against Norwich, possibly at Kings Lynne (a half way point for travelling).

Pete would very much like to form a side of amputees from the Hull/Humberside district. Everyone who plays thoroughly enjoys the sport and they do not worry about the physical contact involved. There are many people throughout the country and indeed our region who have lost a limb yet have not really considered the sport. Hundreds are now playing in England and throughout Europe. There are over 700 registered players in Russia alone. The game is fast, competitive, physically demanding and fun, but the people involved love the sport especially as it shows outsiders that 'amputees do not need to be treated as different or protected in cotton wool'. 'I realise that it may be hard to visualise it unless you have played and you may be worried about getting hurt but once you have played, you wonder what you've missed out on for so many years. There is no pain , I just ache a bit like all footballers'

Pete played for England in two tournaments last year. The joy of representing your country is tempered however by the need to raise money to finance your appearances. A tournament in the Ukraine and World Cup held at Alsager (near Crewe) cost over £500 and Pete was only able to afford these trips through the support of the Lonsdale Community Centre, friends and family who raised £535 to finance his fees and living expenses for these tournaments. The national team is not sponsored in any way and individuals have to finance training sessions and tournaments themselves. He even has to spend £60 once a month for training sessions in Alsager.

The World Cup 98

The two tournaments last year were a round robin warm up for the World Cup which was held in the Ukraine last July and World Cup held at the Alsager College near Crewe in August. The tournament held in Kiev attracted a considerable media interest, matches were televised, journalists followed the players around and people even requested autographs. The matches were also held at the National Stadium. The tournament featured sides from Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, USA, El Salvador and England.

The World Cup was a slightly different affair. This was played at the College sportsground as League Clubs required a minimum of £10,000 to use their grounds and this could no way be financed. The team had to provide a Union Jack for themselves and no-one was prepared to sponsor the team. Glenn Hoddle was approached for a kit but the response was contract Umbro, who in turn didn't bother to respond. Admiral sponsored the USA Kit!!. There was no media coverage of the tournament in England and the only crowds were friends, relatives or people passing through the College. Despite this, the team were more than aware that they were representing their country despite the indifference of the media and FA etc. The FA have now acknowledged the sport since this international tournament.

England finished 4th in the World Cup and played in the 3rd/4th place play off against Brazil. They lost this game on penalties. This was Pete's first World Cup as he was unable to finance the previous tournaments held in Seattle.

European Championships 99

This year in August Pete played for the England team in the European Championships in Kiev. AXA, the sponsors of the FA cup provided a kit for the team. England's first game was against the Americans, who were beaten 6-0. The second game was against Uzbeckistan, the runners up of last years world cup, who were beaten 2-0. This was England's first victory against them for 8 years. The next game was against the Ukraine team, who won 5-1, but this didn't affect England, they were through to the semi-finals! Next up were Russia, the world champions. Unfortunately, they won *** 6-0 ***. This left England playing for 3rd place against the Ukraine, who won 2-1.

Hull Team

Pete hopes to create an Amputee team from the Hull district. There are potential players who have not so far shown interest and he feels they would gain great benefits from participating. He would also welcome the support of people who could either promote or fundraise for the sport. He would like to concentrate on playing rather than having to constantly fundraise and promote the sport locally. Ideally they would also welcome the support of anyone who would be able to help with coaching, administration, publicity etc., even just an ex-player who could offer advice to the fledgling Hull team and help push them collectively or individually.

Promotion is one constant factor for the Amputees. A match was played prior to a League game at Port Vale and Pete would be delighted if such a display could also be considered at Boothferry Park. The game is also promoted on a Website which is based at the Lonsdale Centre and will soon be updated to show video clips of matches to potential players. Not only does Pete enjoy playing this sport but he is desperately keen to get it promoted locally and nationally. If you could help in any way or would like to know more about the sport contact Pete Dawson at the Lonsdale Centre on 564691.

by Mr Ed the Sports Fan, updated by Pete Dawson

Euro 99 and World Cup 98 photos stolen from the www.ampsoccer.org website!



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