WHEN it comes to football every boy who plays the sport dreams of representing their country and for one Bournemouth resident that dream became reality.

Dave Harris is usually an emergency care assistant, but on Saturday, August 21, the Winton resident was an England international for the walking football over 50s team.

The 56-year-old made his debut for the Three Lions against Ireland in a 2-0 win and it was everything he hoped it would be.

He said: “I was very nervous, my captain helped me deal with the butterflies. It was surreal knowing I was playing for my country.

“A lot of people said I had the talent but I have never thought that about myself so it's nice to have the recognition. To represent the country is an honour and every boy's dream.”

Mr Harris plays out of Bournemouth Walking Football Club (BWFC) having got into the sport following an injury several years ago.

“I broke my fema back in 2016 and went to Spain for a percussionist job. I chose to recover there.

“When I was there I noticed there was a football club with a walking team so I decided to start doing some there.

“I came back to England about four years ago and it was a way back into football, a way for me to play.”

Mr Harris came to play for Bournemouth via teams in Oxford, the Isle of Wight and Weston-super-Mare but with the Dorset based team.

He added: “I thought I’d commit to playing because it's a really good club with really good members going in the right direction and doing well.

“Others make it as the people I play with and the people I go on the journey with. The group at Bournemouth walking football club is good and it's not just my age group, they all support me so I’m very lucky.”

Mr Harris is currently looking for a non-monetary sponsorship to help get through and said “any help would be fantastic.”