Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterYou've probably seen Josh Pugh's sketches reminiscing about 'The Gaffer' - but you may know know that the comedian has dozens of England caps.The Coventry City fan has represented his country over 60 times as part of the Three Lions' partially sighted team.Pugh regularly trains with the rest of the team at St George's Park, with his picture there to be found in the corridor alongside that of men's captain Harry Kane.Pugh told FourFourTwo: When I was playing football growing up, I found it increasingly difficult as the pitches got bigger. It was hard seeing the ball, and my sense of distance and light were affected. I dropped out of the game for a bit.That changed when I was diagnosed as partially sighted, though I didnt really know what it meant at the time. You may like Jonjo Shelvey on his Gareth Southgate rift and England snub Peter Crouch on how Jude Bellingham answered his England critics My life is very strange Ive been in a bath with rose petals, recreating American Beauty, and over the California countryside in a hot air balloon that was also a pair of pants Peter Crouch tells FFT about his latest acting venture "I met a guy called John McDougall at college playing a casual game of seven-a-side. He had full vision until he was 16 but was experiencing the same issues Id been through."He introduced me to the concept of partially-sighted football, essentially the same as futsal, and with a national team, of which he was the captain. He really championed it, and me, and it went from there.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The whole experience of travelling with England to competitions, all kitted out, training hard and living in hotels, it was amazing a lovely escape from real life."The hardest bit about going away with England was being too scared to use your mobile phone abroad, because of the tariffs. We werent pros or millionaires, just normal lads terrified of how much it would cost to phone home from a foreign country. Wed use the head coachs phone instead."And then youd step back off the plane after a tournament and have to go back to being a comedian, a DJ or whatever it was we all did for money." What to read next Paul Gascoigne reveals which England star has impressed him Exclusive: Michail Antonio reflects on how a poor performance delayed his international career 'Wherever the band play, all over the world, I come along with my boots we even have a Whatsapp group' Former Scotland defender Colin Hendry on turning out for Iron Maiden's football team at the age of 60 Pughs pinnacle was playing, and scoring, in the 2019 IBSA Partially Sighted Futsal World Championship final.He said: We were playing Ukraine, who are really good, and I put us ahead early on. I had a feeling all tournament Id score a big goal, and it was an amazing moment, but it was also the very definition of scoring too early Ukraine went on to beat us 6-2.Its mad to think what some players are capable of despite their visual impairment. Could some of them play professionally? Its the ultimate hypothetical, really."There was Hugo Acosta who played for Benfica; Steve Daley, who has a hall named after him at St. Georges Park; Chris Holland, who played for Newcastle and Birmingham before he lost his sight."There was also this really special Ukrainian lad who Trabzonspor tried to sign. I don't think they'd understood what the tournament was when they were watching him. I mean, hes good at futsal, but somebody probably needed to have a word with their head of recruitment"@joshpughcomic original sound - Josh PughPugh believes there are parallels between his football and comedy careers.He said: You have to work hard at both, and be totally invested in them and be honest with yourself about your performances."With football, that means training to a high level, consistently, regardless of whatever else is going on in your life. If Im on tour, I have to plan my training diligently. I cant just go out for a run, because of my vision, so I have to familiarise myself with hotel treadmills.Whether football or comedy, you have to keep exposing yourself to it...play loads of matches, do loads of gigs, make mistakes and learn.TOPICSEnglandSteven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
