Members of England’s 2023 tournament winning team were on hand to unveil the trophy, including Head Coach Scott Rogers, tournament top goalscorer Rhyce Ramsden
The National Football Museum has placed the inaugural 2023 Amputee Nations League Trophy on display, celebrating England’s winning campaign. It can be found on the ground floor of the museum as part of the England Story area.
This was the first piece of silverware in 34 years for the England Amputee Team, whose last tournament win was at the 1990 World Cup.
For those who aren’t aware, the EAFF Nations League took place in Krakow, Poland in June of 2023 with England dispatching of the host nation, Spain, and reigning world and European champions Turkey on their way to lifting the trophy. A Turkish team that hadn’t lost in open play since 2014.
England have enjoyed a steady rise with current amputee head coach Scott Rogers, who followed in the footsteps of Owen Coyle Jnr, son of the former Burnley and Bolton boss Coyle Snr, who between them have helped instil a more professional approach and are now reaping the rewards.
Head Coach, Scott Rogers, said: “I remember standing back when we lifted the (Nations League) trophy and just watched the lads and thought, many of them didn’t think they would ever play football again let alone represent their country and lift a major trophy.
“One of our big remits is trying to raise the profile of the game and that’s what we’re trying to do all the time. Winning tournaments like this will help us to do that.”
CEO of the museum, Tim Desmond said: “At the National Football Museum we strive for equity and inclusion in football and to champion football in all its forms. We are delighted to showcase the Amputee Nations League Trophy at the museum to enable conversations with our visitors around the sport and profile the success of the England amputee team.”
England Amputee midfielder Jamie Tregaskiss said: “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Even though I’ve lost my leg, I’ve reached my goal of representing my country, travelling around the world playing football and in big tournaments.”
EAFA is a non-profit organisation that relies tirelessly upon sponsorship and donations to survive and provide amputees and people with congenital limb deficiencies the opportunity to play football at grassroots and international levels. The aim is that the display will help raise awareness of not only the team’s achievements but raise the profile of amputee football nationwide.
Despite being the number one ranked amputee team in Europe, the EAFA are on a hunt to raise a minimum of £30,000 to even compete at this Summer’s European Championships in France.
For more information on the England Amputee team and how you can donate, head over to their website here: https://www.theeafa.org/