Meet the football team backed by Gareth Southgate as they go for gold

17 June 2023 , 06:00

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England boss Gareth Southgate has offered his support to the GB Unified Football Team (Image: Copyright 2023 © Sam Bagnall)

The Olympiastadion in Berlin has seen its fair share of sporting achievement throughout its near 90-year history but this coming weekend sees what could be the most awe-inspiring of the lot - the Special Olympics.

The games give children and adults with intellectual disabilities the chance to represent their countries in a variety of different sports. One of the teams heading over to the German capital will be the Great Britain Unified Football Team.

Speaking to Mirror Sport ahead of the games getting underway on Saturday, June 17, chair of the Essex branch of the Special Olympics, Nigel Stuart said: “I’m well excited, I can’t put it into words. For me, personally, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for me.

“To see the lads and the players out there with a smile on their face and having my son out there with me as well is absolutely amazing. For me, I can’t put it into words, it’s great, really looking forward to it.”

The Unified Football team certainly has the backing of the whole country. The League Managers Association (LMA) has already pledged its support, whilst the team were given the chance to train at England ’s St George’s Park training base and meet Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.

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“To see the smile on their faces when he walked in along with Stuart Pearce, Steve Clarke, it’s unbelievable,” Nigel said. “Speaking to them on the pitch, they’re down to earth guys. They’re helpful, they gave good advice. Stuart Pearce joined in with the training session, it was amazing.”

Whilst the build up to the games has certainly been noteworthy, the athletes taking part also have an important mission on their hands - to show the inclusivity of sport. Nigel’s son Bradley previously received knock-backs when trying to get involved in sport, something that both of them are keen to help change.

Meet the football team backed by Gareth Southgate as they go for gold

Nigel recalls: “With me, Bradley obviously has special needs and he went to play for a mainstream football team years ago. He wasn’t accepted. They told him he wasn’t good enough so we found a Soccability team, another mainstream team that had a Soccability team on the side of it.

“A lot of these players, these athletes right across the country are forever being told that they’re not good enough and they can’t do it. And for them to be involved in the Special Olympics, you come to one of the events, everyone feels at home.

"Everyone has a smile on their face. No one judges everybody. It’s all inclusive. All the volunteers are absolutely fantastic. The athletes. Right the way from top to bottom, everyone is equal so for me it’s very important. Let’s break down the barriers for Unified Football.”

Bradley, whose hero is Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard, is enjoying a much more positive experience now having secured a place in the team for the trip to Berlin. He said: “They’re down to Earth people. They don’t judge if you make a mistake and lift your head up and always there to give you advice on what you can do better.”

Even with the latest iteration of the games only just around the corner, people still have a chance to get involved with their local sports team. Nigel is certainly keen to see more involvement even if there is slight hesitation.

"Come along, try it, look at it. It’s a friendly atmosphere no matter what sport you do,” he said. “I’ve been to quite a few of the sports as well, everyone is welcome, everyone is treated equal.

“Listen, if people say you can’t do it, you can do it. Anyone can do it. Don’t listen to what people say. I say come along, try it, it’s absolutely amazing and you will never forget it here.

“Speaking to a lot of these players, not just my players but other athletes, it’s amazing. No one judges anybody. Come along, do it, try it, get in touch with Special Olympics. They’ll point you in the right direction and let’s build it and build it.”