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Published 06 October 2024 4 min read
England Para Teams

England CP's Sam Dewhirst encourages youngsters to chase the dream

Written by:

Adam Drury

Sam Dewhirst celebrates World Cerebral Palsy day by discussing his journey and offering advice to the next generation

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"If you love football and you've got a passion for football then forget everyone else's opinion," is the view of England Cerebral Palsy international Sam Dewhirst.

Dewhirst shrugged off any doubts and started playing the CP game aged eleven, working his way through the ranks and making his England debut six years later.

On World Cerebral Palsy Day, he reveals how throwing himself into it is the best decision he ever made.

He said: "My sister was cutting the hair of a coach who was at Cerebral Palsy United and it was mentioned that I also had CP so I was invited down.

"Ever since then I've been through the emerging camps, developments teams and then made my debut in 2019.

"I was 17. I was a baby playing against USA. It was crazy.

"It's a dream to play for England and to join up with the squad all the time, pull that shirt on, listen to the national anthem before every game. It's a special feeling every time.

Sam Dewhirst at the 2022 CP World Cup
Sam Dewhirst at the 2022 CP World Cup

"If you love football and you've got a passion for football then forget everyone else's opinion. Do what you love because that's all that counts.

"There are CP specific clubs all over the country as well. If you don't feel sure about putting yourself out there, there are pathways and other ways in which you can express your love for the game and your talent."

In CP football, players receive classifications depending on how much their impairment impacts their performance.

The three classes are called FT1, FT2 and FT3, with teams required to have at least FT1 player on the field at all times and no more than one FT3 player.

Dewhirst is classified as FT2, with the right-hand side of his body affected by his condition.

He said: "I had a stroke at birth, so I don't have much control and balance down the right-hand side of my body in comparison to my left.

"It does affect me because I basically can't use my right foot. If I play mainstream football people can't understand why I don't use it and I know I can't do much with it.

England celebrate progress to the final of the 2023 CP EUROs
England celebrate progress to the final of the 2023 CP EUROs

"You have to adapt and I've made my left foot a real strength."

Dewhirst and his England CP teammates are focused on success at this year's World Cup, set to be played in Spain in November.

Having suffered defeat against Ukraine in the final of last year's European Championships, Andy Smith's side are aiming to go one better – and know the same opposition could well be the team to beat again.

Dewhirst said: "We want to at least equal that finish but the next step is to become the best in the world. Ukraine are the best at the moment and we need to catch them.

"This will be my third major tournament and I'm buzzing. I now have good experience against different opposition and I want to showcase myself to the world.

"CP football is so different. The fitness side of the game is massive as the pitch is so big relative to the number of players on the pitch (seven-a-side). There's no offside either.

"You’ve got to be super fit and concentrated so you're ready when the ball comes to you. I'm aiming to be completely ready for the tournament."