Courtesy: Worcester News

Colley is living the England dream

By Michael Reeves

WHEN Nick Colley hears the national anthem for England's clash with Argentina at the World 5's Futsal Tournament in Malaysia on Tuesday, the Worcester City midfielder will be fighting back the tears.

The 33-year-old flies out to the Far East this evening as part of a 13-man England Futsal squad that is hoping to gain respectability among those in this fast-growing sport, where players in Brazil and Italy can earn up to a reported £15,000-a-week.

But in heading off to the Futsal world cup' the former Stafford Rangers player is disappointed that he will not only miss today's Blue Square North clash at Southport but next Saturday's visit of Blyth Spartans.

"I had only just got my place back in the side so I'm gutted about missing two City games - it is the first time it has happened since I was called up," said the nine-cap England international.


"But playing for your country is amazing, every time I hear the national anthem it brings tears to my eyes.

"You are treated like kings when you are with the Eng-land squad, all the things you'd associate with a professional set-up come with you and we get motorbike escorts all over the place.

"When I got my first England shirt I had it framed and gave it to my dad for Christmas."

Futsal has professional leagues in Brazil and Italy, unsurprisingly those two countries are ranked one and two in the world, and they have more futsal registered players than they do football players.

Played at fast pace and incredibly skilful, England, in Colley's own words, have been the game's "whipping boys", but a recent victory over Greece has instilled some belief in the squad.

"We have four games out in Malaysia and another two if we reach the final," he said. "Our first game is against Argentina and they are third in the world so we are not expecting to get through.

"But we have games against Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia so if we can pick up two wins I will be happy."

The eight-day tournament begins for England on Tues-day.



Courtesy: Worcester News


Footballers flying out to compete in Malaysia

A UNIVERSITY of Worcester Sports student and a Worcester City footballer will be representing England at international level, at the World 5's Futsal Tournament in Malaysia next week.

Sports student, Shane Gill and City midfielder Nick Colley have been selected as part of a 13-man squad to play in the week-long competition in Kuala Lumpur.

Futsal, a five-a-side game, supported by FIFA and UEFA, is played with a heavier and smaller version of an 11-a-side football and is viewed on the world stage as a way to improve creativity, dribbling, close ball control and passing techniques.

Although the game is relatively new to the United Kingdom, it receives a massive following across the world, with hotbeds in Brazil, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

It is credited with developing the skills and talents of world class footballers such as Por-tugal's Luis Figo and Ronaldo and Brazilians Ronaldinho, Robinho and Roberto Carlos, who were all involved in the game from an early age.

England's team, including Worcester students Gill, aged 20, and City's Colley, 33, have been drawn in Pool A', along with South American experts Argentina, Asian newcomers Indonesia, Australia and hosts Malaysia.

The draw means they avoid the might of Brazil and Europe's other representative Holland. England's opening match is against Argentina on Tuesday.

Centre-forward, Gill, who recently played as part of a University of Worcester Fut-sal team which reached the finals of the British Univer-sities Futsal competition, was selected by England Futsal head coach Graeme Dell after impressing in recent trials at Lilleshaw.

He is only one of two students to be chosen in the squad, which is otherwise made up of semi-professional players from teams including Worcester, Gloucester City, Team Bath and AFC Telford United.

"It's great to be representing England in a world-wide competition and I'm hoping this tournament will begin to raise the profile of Futsal in the UK," said Gill.

University of Worcester's Craig Williams, who has helped to establish a Futsal team and Futsal coaching at the University, said; "Futsal is becoming a really popular University sport and it's a great way to really perfect and improve your skills, creativity and overall football techniques."






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com