A YOUNG footballer has achieved something the England football team are unlikely to do next summer... by winning a major tournament in Brazil.
Bailey Fleming, 17, of Faulkbourne, Witham, played for the England Under-20 cerebral palsy football team in a seven-a-side tournament in Sao Paulo.
He played in five games, as a left back and left winger, against teams from different regions of Brazil.
Despite playing in temperatures as high as 35 degrees, the England team won all their games – including a semi-final match on penalties.
They won the final 2-0 against a team from Rio.
Bailey, who is studying sports at Easton and Otley College, in Norfolk, said: “It was a mind-blowing experience and winning the tournament was the obvious highlight.
“We just took one day at a time and by the end of the final match I was exhausted, but delighted.”
The young sportsman has previously represented his country in matches played for the cerebral palsy development squad against Scotland and Ireland.
Lynsey Wilson, from the sports department at Easton and Otley College, said, “We are thrilled for Bailey and proud of his achievements.
“Anyone who plays for their country deserves great recognition.
“The fact he played in a team that won on penalties, and then went on to be victorious in the final of a tournament in Brazil, should give England fans hope that anything is possible.”
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