CHANCE OF MY LIFETIME
ALEX BROWN is ready for a ‘once in a lifetime’ trip to the Falkland Islands to represent a Football Association XI in a goodwill visit.
Manager Paul Fairclough has selected a 14-man squad made up of players from Steps 3 to 5 for the historic visit where they will play the Falkland Islands and a Combined Military Services side.
The party will make the 16-hour trip – via Cape Verde – on Wednesday with the games to be played on Saturday and Sunday.
As well as the fixtures, the squad will take part in coaching sessions in the two schools in Port Stanley and the junior school at the Mount Pleasant Airfield, and also lay a wreath to remember the fallen at a service on Remembrance Sunday.
Buxton left-back Brown says it promises to be an incredible experience and is relishing the chance to represent the FA on the other side of the world.
“When I got the call I
presumed they were coming to us,” Brown told The NLP.
“When they said, we are going there, I was like, ‘Wow’. I’ve been to some places in my life but it will be an experience. I’ve been looking into it and there’s only about 2,500 people who live there so it will be a once-in-a-lifetime oppor- tunity. You can’t turn it down.
“You’re not going to get the chance to go again and not many people can say they’ve even been there so I jumped at the chance.
Proud
“We got the itinerary last week and we’ve got lots on with school visits and a Remembrance Service on the Sunday morning as well as the two games. “I coach for Billy Sharp’s company and run half-term camps so the sessions with the kids is right up my street. “It’s a good experience for us and a good experience for the kids there because it’s probably not often they get coached by someone from England – it’s a long way to go for a session!” Brown, 20, came through the ranks at Sheffield United but has seen the value of NonLeague to really kick-start his career.
Last season, his form at Sheffield FC earned an England C call-up and says he is happy to help lend his experience of how Fairclough works to his new team-mates.
“If that’s his view on things then I will definitely be there to help any other players,” said Brown, who had a trial at National League new boys Harrogate Town in the summer before opting for guaranteed football at Step 3 Buxton.
“I’ve been lucky to go to places like China when I was at Sheffield United’s academy.
“Not a lot of people can say they’ve been to China and the Falklands before they’ve turned 21! It gives you great perspective on the world and this will be a great experience for us all.”