'I play partially sighted football but I can see'

"Playing for England and pulling on that shirt is one of the proudest moments of my life," says Ben Taylor, who plays for England's partially sighted team.

Mr Taylor is the only fully sighted player on the team in the position of goalkeeper and says it is important to "narrate" what he can see to his teammates.

The 19-year-old, from Lutterworth in Leicestershire, travelled to Turkey in the England squad that finished third in the Partially Sighted Futsal European Championship.

He played mainstream football from the age of four and moved into playing futsal - a five-a-side game played on an indoor court - at the age of 12.

The University of Derby student now plays for Derby futsal and the university futsal team - but how did he get a call-up for the Three Lions squad when he is fully sighted?

The team's head coach had watched him play a match for Derby futsal and told him he would be a "good fit for the team".

Mr Taylor was then invited to a para talent identification day, where he would find out if he would be chosen to join the England squad.

After being successful at the trial, Mr Taylor was then asked to join the squad for training ahead of the European championship at St George's Park - England's national football centre.

Similar to futsal, each partially sighted team has five players, four being visually impaired and one fully sighted player, the goalkeeper.

The goalkeeper cannot leave the penalty area but can pass the ball anywhere on the pitch, but if they want to pass it into the opposition half, the ball must bounce before the halfway line.

The ball they play with is smaller than a mainstream football and contrasts clearly from the pitch.

The game should not be confused with blind football.

Futsal - which originated in Uruguay - is a fast-paced five-a-side game played in tight spaces with a heavier ball.

Fifa estimates it is now played by more than 30 million people worldwide.

Playing futsal as a teenager, Mr Taylor said he "never thought" he would play a parasport, let alone on an international level.

"I got involved because partially sighted football is very similar to futsal," said Mr Taylor.

"Being 5ft 6in, I was told I was too small to be a goalkeeper in mainstream football, so I decided futsal suited me more."

On being able to see in a visually impaired sport, Mr Taylor said: "There are some rules in place to make sure we don't take advantage of that.

"You have to act as your teammate's eyes. It's important to narrate what I can see to them.

"I say things like left shoulder and right shoulder so they know where other players are; I am constantly telling them what is going on."

Mr Taylor said pulling on the England shirt at the European championship was a "surreal moment" and a "privilege".

England won three of their five matches at the tournament and secured a bronze medal.

"Winning a medal at my first tournament was a proud moment," said Mr Taylor.

Mr Taylor now hopes he can stay in the squad and qualify for the world championships in the future.

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