Courtesy: Worcester News


Colley on target with futsal adventure

By Steve Carley

NOT many non-league soccer clubs can say they have a World Cup goal-scorer in their ranks.

But that is exactly the case at Worcester City after Nick Colley was on target for the England Futsal team.

Midfielder Colley, who has won 17 caps for his country at the highly-skilled five-a-side game, netted during England's 10-2 defeat against full-time Poland in a World Cup qualifier in Hungary.

England also lost 15-0 to the host nation and 4-1 to Macedonia as they failed to qualify for the October finals.

Colley's trip to the Hungarian city of Gyongyosi came hot on the heels of his journey to Malaysia to represent England in the Kuala Lumpur World Fives.

The 33-year-old has enjoyed every moment of his time on the international stage but now wants to turn his attentions to earning a regular first-team place for Worcester.

Although Colley says he is not retiring from the futsal scene, he admits he has to make the most of his career at St George's Lane.

"It's been amazing," he said. "I have got 17 caps out of it and a goal but my 11-a-side has suffered a little bit. Plus 10 days in Malaysia playing against the best players in the world and representing your country in the qualifiers.

"Three games in Hungary was just amazing for me and I would like to thank everyone involved, including Worcester City for their patience.

"Richard Dryden said it was an opportunity I had to take. I hope to repay that sort of faith by doing what job I can."

Colley is not the only City player to have tasted action with the England futsal team as Troy Wood earned a call-up to a 30-man training squad last season.

England is still very much a developing nation in the sport and does not have a vast pool of players to call on.

Head coach Graeme Dell said: "The two biggest single components that stand out from Hungary are expectation and frustration.

"The realisation that our expectations at that level have to be balanced against the limited exposure we have of high level futsal in our own domestic environment and that we need strong leagues at home to develop the players."





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