England call-up for footy star Chris
FOOTBALL-MAD Chris McCormack has finally fulfilled a boyhood dream to play for England. A promising player, the 32-year-old thought his hopes had been destroyed when he was struck down with a rare eye condition.
But now Chris has cemented a place in the England Partially Sighted Football team and will pick up his third cap next week.
Chris, of East Hendon Road, Hendon, said: "I was just like any other little boy when I was growing up. I always dreamt of playing for England."
Defender Chris suffers from Macular Dystrophy, a condition which left him visually impaired, and thinking his days of playing football were numbered.
He played for Seaham Red Star until he was 20, but his deteriorating eyesight saw him drift into pub football.
Chris said: "I've got no central vision which means I can't focus. I can only see shapes and movement, but I can't see any detail at all."
Chris was picked for England when he met the previous manager Tony Larkin while studying Sport and Recreation at the Royal National College for the Blind.
Now vice-captain, he is a regular for his country and is part of the squad for the World Championships in Manchester this month.
