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“The squad has the same expectation, achieve as much as possible” - Sean Jackson ahead of The EAFL season
- 16 hours ago
- 2 min read
Writes: Edward Perry
The England Amputee Football League returns on Saturday (21st February) and having lifted last year’s title, Everton are ready to compete for silverware again.
The EAFA speaks to Everton and England defender Sean Jackson before the league kicks-off and with Cambridge City and AFAS FC entering the competition, Jackson is itching to getting started.
“I’m really excited for the league to get going. It’s been missed, I enjoy getting to experience competitive football. I’m even more excited with the introduction of new teams which will bring fresh challenges for us.”
Sean Jackson is impressed by the team Everton has, full of experience and talent, and thinks it will pay dividends over the season, “Everton In The Community have put so much effort into creating the squad we have now. It’s full of both male and female amputees and the depth we’ve got will be really important this year.”
Everton have won the league in the past three seasons so the expectation among the squad is to take home The EAFL trophy once again, but they don’t want to stop there.
“The squad has the same expectations as always, to achieve as much as possible.
“I think in previous years we have let ourselves down in cup competitions and I’m gutted we won’t be at The Disability FA Cup this year, but the other teams deserve it. I think again to retain the league is what we want, mainly because it puts us into European competitions.”
Sean Jackson has progressed all the way through The EAFA ranks, from a young amputee footballer to international winner - plus now also playing a role in the charity as a trustee. In talking to The EAFA, he stresses the importance of The England Amputee Football League to and how it provides vital opportunities for amputee players to play the game they love.
“The league is so important to us. I think it brings the whole charity together, allowing for anyone to compete. Women have the opportunity to play and we’re now seeing our young juniors given a chance.”
Jackson also stresses how The EAFL is also of huge importance to The EAFA’s Men’s National Team as they work towards the World Cup this year.
“For the national team, the league is key because it’s our chance of experiencing competitive football ahead of the World Cup. It’s really important we get game time and compete in high intensity games.”
Join in the action on Saturday by experiencing amputee football live at Reaseheath College in Nantwich.
Gameweek 1 Fixtures:
12:00 – Chelsea vs Everton
12:45 – AFAS FC vs Cambridge City
14:00 – Chelsea vs AFAS FC
14:45 – Everton vs Cambridge City
16:00 – Chelsea vs Cambridge City
16:45 – Everton vs AFAS FC
Location: Reaseheath College, Nantwich, CW5 6DF
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