England Levels

One of the things I hear, and must admit to saying, when watching some Walking Football players I know on the pitch is, "He's an England player". It's said with the same sentiment and awe as if it's a Premier League player who plays for England at the World Cup, but is it right to think that way?

I suppose the first thing to consider is that saying they're an England player needs some qualification. I'm no expert but my understanding is that there are multiple Regional England squads that filter into a National England squad. The other thing is that all of these squads are broken down by age group. So, not one National England team, or one South East England Regional team, but one National England team by age group, and one South East England Regional team by age group. And for each team within each age group, there's a manager.

To gain entry into a Regional England squad you go through a trial process and if the manager likes what he sees, you get added to the squad. A Regional England squad has training sessions and can compete in tournaments and events. The primary focus, however, does seem to be the matches played between the Regions.

Players I know who are in the Regional England squads, travel miles to attend these training days and devote significant weekend time in pursuit of their place in the team. I've heard many stories about the trial days and squad days and some of them are definitely not positive. But for many it is an accomplishment and honour to wear the England shirt, even if for a Regional team.

The cream of the Regional England squads then filter through to the full National England squad, and it is here where the opportunities to play other countries and nations is realised. While all players in the Regional England squads are good players, it often seems as if the relationship between player and manager, or the club you regularly play at, is as crucial for inclusion as talent and temperament.

When it comes to the full National England squad my thought is that these really are the best players for the positions they play. Like Gareth Southgate picking his team, we may have differences of opinion, but the manager is looking to win every game and is basing his reputation on his selection.

What I would say is that the players that participate fund it all themselves. So representing your country requires time, dedication, a face that fits, footballing skills, and lots of money.

As Walking Football grows these England camps and players will become better known and I'm sure if the organisation behind them was more switched on, they would be rewarded with more than a cap.