Blind footballers in bid for golden glory

Three blind footballers are going for gold as they head to Beijing for the Paralympics later this month.

Simon Hill, Jonathan Gribbin and Andy Briant, who play for the blind West Bromwich Albion squad, will fly out on August 24 ahead of their opening game against host nation China on September 7. They will also compete against teams including Argentina and Brazil for team GB.

Simon, aged 22, pictured, originally from Stourbridge, but now living in Wolverhampton, got into the sport when he was spotted by one of the England team coaches at college three years ago.

The game is five-a-side and has a sighted goalkeeper.

"The balls have ball bearings in so it rattles and the goalkeepers are sighted," he said. "It's five-a-side and then you have a coach behind the goal to assist at that end.

"It's hard, I'm still trying to adapt and learn. In sighted football you can look to see where your teammates are, but we have only got our ears so we are trying to listen for the ball, listen to what instructions we are being given and listen to where your opponents are and your own teammates are."

Simon, a defender, was born sighted, but with a cancer of the retina. He gradually lost his sight and went blind at aged four.

The West Brom team, which Simon captains, was created in January and they currently play against a side from Worcester University.

"It's a work in progress, we are trying to get more players and more teams," he added.

Simon added: "I'm excited, I'm apprehensive and nervous because I haven't been to an Olympics before, I've no idea what to expect. We just want to go out there and hope that the training and work we've done pays off."

The team is now hoping to attract more players.

West Bromwich Albion disability sports officer Paul Hunt added: Albion's disability football club has helped them get where they are."

It currently costs Simon £20 a session to train with specialist instructors. Anyone who would like to help or sponsor him should call 07866275195.