LEDBURY footballer James Febery will represent England at the IFCPF 2017 Cerebral Palsy Football World Championships in Argentina, writes Sam Bennett.

The defender, who plays for Westfields, is eligible to play in the tournament in September after suffering a stroke five years ago.

The former John Masefield High School student was just 20 years old when he was rushed to hospital and he said the incident came as a huge shock.

“I was at work when it happened,” Febery said.

“All of a sudden I had no movement in my left arm or leg, I couldn’t speak and the left side of my face just went drowsy.

“It only happened for a minute or two, but I was rushed to hospital and they diagnosed it as a stroke.

“I just suffer slightly with weakness in the left side of my body and that’s how I qualify for the team.

“I’m a C8, which is the people least affected whereas C5 is the people who were born with Cerebral Palsy.

“You’re only allowed to play one C8 at one time, and I’m one of the three we have in the team.”

Febery trained with the side for the first time this month, taking part in a friendly win against a college team.

“It was a really good experience,” he said. “It wasn’t what I was expecting. They say it’s a Cerebral Palsy team but the standard of football was very high.

“I’m going up again to St. Georges Park in Burton at the weekend. We train every month.

“This year it’s for the championships in Argentina and then next year it’s the Paralympics.”

The tournament returns to Argentina for the first time since 2003 and will be held in San Luis between September 3 and 22. Matches will take place at the 15,062-capacity Provincial Juan Gilberto Funes Stadium.

Febery’s father, Tim, says it will be a “special” feeling to see his son represent his country.

“It is a bit strange for me because there’s nothing wrong with him anymore,” he said.

“But at the same time it is special for us and for his club that he is involved with the England football team.”

Febery was part of the Westfields team who hit the headlines this season when they became the joint-lowest ever ranked side to qualify for the first round of the FA Cup.

A man-of-the-match performance from Febery helped his side to hold Curzon Ashton to a 1-1 draw at home and force a replay, which they lost 3-1.