Amputee footballer Sean Jackson is to tackle his first half-marathon later this year.

The former Ballakermeen student currently plays for Everton in the England Amputee Football Association League and is also captain of the England men’s amputee international team

The ex-Marown, Laxey and St George’s player is set to lead England at the competition in Mexico this November.

Before that though, he is going to make his half-marathon in Manchester this October.

Growing up in the island, Sean had his right leg amputated at the age of one after being born with only two toes and a shorter leg.

Football was his passion but, like many young people with a disability, he never believed playing professionally would be possible.

Everything changed at 16 when he discovered amputee football through a Facebook advert.

He progressed from Manchester City in the Community sessions to the England Amputee Football Association's junior and under-23 squads before making his senior debut in 2019.

Since then, he has represented England at two European Championships, two Nations Leagues and a World Cup, and earlier this year was named captain of the England men's team.

Now, he's swapping the football pitch for the roads of Greater Manchester as he prepares to take on his first half-marathon.

The ASICS Manchester Half holds special significance for Jackson who lived in the city for three years while studying at university and still considers Manchester his second home.

Having fallen in love with running over the past two years, after completing his first parkrun in 2024, the event marks another milestone in a sporting journey he once thought impossible.

'I never imagined I'd be able to run a half-marathon,' he said.

‘Running has given me a completely new challenge outside of football and I've always wanted to experience the incredible atmosphere of the Manchester Half.’

Sean is using the event to raise vital funds for the England Amputee Football Association, where he is both an England international and a trustee. With no FA funding, players must raise money to represent their country on the international stage.

The team operates as a self-funded charitable programme and receives no financial support from the sport’s official bodies.

Players balance elite-level training with work, family and everyday life while also contributing towards the costs of representing their country.

The appeal has now raised more than £58,000, with a new target of £65,000, following a significant increase in public support.

Former England footballer and broadcaster Gary Lineker also contributed £10,000 to the appeal.

'The charity has changed my life,' Jackson added. 'It creates opportunities for junior, men's and women's players across the country, but we're still heavily reliant on fundraising.'

Sean hopes his first half marathon will raise awareness of amputee football while showing that disability should never define what someone is capable of achieving.

'I hope people see that having a disability doesn't stop you setting ambitious goals. Whether it's running your first half-marathon or joining your first sports team, I want my story to encourage others to believe they can achieve more than they ever thought possible.'