Centre back Will Rolls is part of the Littleport Town FC team that finished 4th narrowly missing promotion in the 2018/19 season. A key figure in the side that stepped up to the plate to keep the club going after some personnel difficulties at its start with some 1st team players leaving, he is now called up for international duty.
Impressing the England Deaf International Team Football Manager, Dean Humphrey, at a cup game between Peterborough Deaf and Fulham Deaf, Will was selected for the team playing in the 2019 European Championship held in Crete from June 2-16.
Finishing in the top 2 of the 4 groups participating qualifies Will, who has 4 Caps, and his team, for the World Cup in South Korea! Will’s group is England, Ukraine, France and Sweden.
Will’s memorable first international match was a 3-1 win played against the British Army.
Will has also played against a Celebrity X1 for a charity.
The England Deaf International Football Team is self-funded. They get no financial support from government sources or national governing body… This puts a lot of pressure on the players and coaches before they even start playing a game!
The squad train together once a month at various venues around the country requiring them to find the money for transport, accommodation and all other related expenses. Then as Will points out, there are more and more friendly matches in the growing fixture list too. This should be a happy circumstance unencumbered by worries about funding!
Will says: ”My experiences have been fantastic so far! Representing my country means so much to me. I want to make my country proud and bring the trophy home!”