England ace from Preston is retiring from illustrious Futsal career

Stephen Daley, named European Footballer of the year in 2001, captained the England B2/B3 Futsal squad with 143 appearances over his 25 year career.

The sportsman, who also has a condition which affects his vision, said: “I have had a wonderful playing career and wanted to thank the FA, players and staff that have supported me along the way and given me some wonderful memories.

"At the age of 43 I now feel it is time to hand the game over to the next generation as I have left the game and the squad in a better place than when I found it in 1995.”

Stephen’s final game was on Saturday, December 14, 2019 when he captained England for the last time playing in the World Cup Final.

During the course of his Futsal career Stephen represented England at nine World Cups and nine European Championships winning Silver and Bronze medals and was inducted into the

Football Hall of Fame 2007 the Northern Ireland Gallery of Legends 2012.

The council’s deputy head of parks and street scene has had an England captain’s role since the age of 21.

Mentor and friend of Stephen, Steve Tones said: “It is important for us all to remember that these many standout achievements have been accomplished with the restrictions imposed by Stargardt’s condition.

"Today - Stephen Daley is an England captain who has led his team in consecutive World Cup Finals.

"Like in the 2019 Final against Ukraine and the many previous ones, he has done so with courage and dignity that identifies him as a true ambassador for sport, equal opportunity and all that is good in our society.”