A Millwall fan is set to lead England to the World Cup in Greece later this year.
Jamie Leggett, 33, from Abbey Wood is head coach of the Three Lions’ six-a-side football team travelling to Crete this October.
Father of three year-old Olivia and husband of Ann-Marie, the Willow Dene School Learning Support Teacher leads the side in the competition’s second year after getting Scotland to the quarter-finals in its inaugural event in Lisbon six months ago.
'Unbelievable honour'
He said: “It’s the honour to call myself England Manager. I have a lot of good memories with the Scotland boys who are now like family to me, but to have the honour of saying I’m England manger is unbelievable.
“To be associated with your national team, whether it’s 11-a-side, six-a-side, five-a-side, it’s just huge.”
(Jamie, Ann-Marie and Olivia,3)
The competition was founded in Birmingham in March last year but has since seen a rapid rise in popularity, culminating in a number of TV companies reportedly vying to broadcast highlights of the event.
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The 2018 World Cup was made up of 32 countries representing every continent, and this year there are over 80 countries wanting to take part.
Jamie started as a scout for all the home nations prior to being appointed Scotland, he was then chosen to be England’s head coach and believes the reasons for its rise in popularity is obvious.
“It gives a lot of social players a chance to dream.
“They want to represent their country, and if they can’t do it at XI a side it gives them an opportunity of experiencing a little of what it’s like being a professional footballer.
“Stepping out and playing for your country is an honour at any level, and that’s why it’ll get bigger and bigger.”
(Lisbon, the setting of the 2018 tournament)
Jamie says that no matter what level you are at it is an honour to play for your country and that is why this competition will continue to grow.
England, like Scotland, made the quarter-finals at last year’s competition which was seen by over one million people online.
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However now the infrastructure has been put into place by the International Socca Federation (ISF), the tournament can only continue to build momentum.
He continued: “Lisbon was amazing and the standard was immense. The setting was incredible and it’s only going to get bigger and better.
“With Ron Atkinson as our Director of Football, and Mark Clattenburg the Director of Refereeing for the tournament there’s some big names on board.
“It’s very exciting.”
'Give it a go'
Despite admitting he would ‘love to be World Champions,’ the Lions fan isn’t making any predictions in getting one over current holders Germany.
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“I’m not going to say we’re going to win it, but we are in it and have a good chance.
“Lots of people have worked hard up to this point, and without the support of my family, friends, Willow Dene School, and Head of UK Teams’ Pete Mitchell, this wouldn’t be possible.
“So we’ll go there and give it a go.”
Leggett’s England will play a friendly against Wales on May 5th before he announces his 12 man squad to take to Crete.
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