Reigning Isle of Man Disability Sportsperson of the Year Sean Jackson made his senior debut for the England Amputee football team last weekend.

The former Laxey, Marown and St George’s player is now studying for a football coaching and management degree at UCFB Etihad in Manchester, a move which has opened up many more opportunities in terms of playing and training.

He now gets to train weekly with his club at the Manchester City training facility and fits in an additional weekly training session with Owen Coyle Jr, the England head coach, at his CO2 sports centre.

Having been training hard with the England provisional and under-23 squads over the past few months, Sean made his debut for the senior team in a series of international friendlies against France at the weekend.

This was the 19-year-old’s first opportunity to impress the coaching staff as he bids to secure a place in the 13-man squad for the 2020 European Championships in Krakow, Poland next summer.

Speaking to the Manx Independent earlier this week, Jackson described the trip to France: ’Last week was so much more professional than anything I’ve ever done in regards to the small details within the weekend. For example, all the kit being fully laid out with my name above, to the specific timings of the weekend, even urine tests which is something I’ve never really considered!

’Part of the weekend’s aim was to improve the team’s interpersonal confidence - basically having trust within each other - so there was a lot of emphasis on the bonding and social elements of the squad because the team is very much varied in terms of experience and age.

’That was the biggest thing I took out of the weekend, getting a lot closer with team-mates and feeling more comfortable around them. As we only see each other once a month normally, it’s tough to build those relations.

’In terms of the results we won 4-0, 5-0 and 3-0 - I played in the first two games, mainly in the first when I came on as a substitute and played a good 30 minutes at centre-back.

’I was pleased to be involved in two of the goals and, without disrespecting the France team, I was expecting their standard to be a lot higher. I felt very comfortable when I thought I’d be challenged more as it was my debut - luckily I’ve faced a lot tougher in our training sessions. ’

’Unfortunately in the second game I only got the last five minutes, something I was disappointed with. It was the main match out of the three in which there was a bit of crowd and the French played their strongest side.

’I was watching the game and just wanted a taste of the intensity and pressure there was. I spoke with Owen after and he could tell I was a bit gutted and he told me it was a good thing that I wanted to come on.

’I asked what more I can be doing away from training to get into that team and he said pretty much nothing, now I’m in Manchester I have the opportunity to train three times a week alongside strength and conditioning at the gym, so he told me I’m rapidly developing.’

The England squad recently received a kit sponsorship from Adidas at an official launch in London when all were presented with their playing and training kit, including crutches and boots for the forthcoming Euros.

But every player must still raise approximately £1,500 for the England Amputee Football Association charity which will cover the costs of training weekends, equipment and the various trips and tournaments the team will compete in over the next eight months.

Sean recently met up with Chris Quine and Paul Callow from Isle of Man Sport Aid who have been supporting his journey for the past three years predominantly in terms of travel costs to the UK.

This year his Sport Aid has been used to contribute almost half of that £1,500 he is required to raise through his TLC Business Solutions scholarship. As always, Sean is extremely grateful for their continuous support.