Minifootball in Great Britain is still in it’s early stages with the recently joined official national minifootball governing body – Great Britain Minifootball Union (GBMFU). The GBMFU is aiming to grow the sports and reach the level both of European minifootball giants such as Romania and Czech Republic, and in the future to dominate minifootball in the same way English Premier League is the strongest league in the world.
Even though GBMFU has only recently joined the EMF and WMF, the organization’s president, Mark Staines, is no stranger to minifootball as he was the England national team coach in EMF EURO 2014: “We are very pleased to become a full member of the European Minifootball Federation, it’s a great honour for us and we look forward to working closely with the EMF & WMF and developing the sport throughout Britain.”
GBMFU President, Mark Staines
According to recent figures, there are over 6 million people playing Minifootball in England alone, Staines believes this will be the GBMFU’s greatest asset ” the potential to develop the sport is there for all to see, we must showcase the talent we have in Britain, and help make these players become stars on the world stage.” For this reason GBMFU is going to give minifootball players the opportunity to play for their country at the World and European Cups, as well as the opportunity to qualify with their teams to the EMF Champions League.
The transition from head coach to the union president meant that Mark Staines had to find a new coach, and earlier this month it was announced that Lee Currie will be the new England 6 a side Manager. Currie comes from a footballing family, his brother and uncle were both professional footballers, the lattereven played for Enland in the 1970’s. Currie himself is a 100% minifootball expert, playing since 1998 in tournaments and venues across the country; “I’ve competed at the highest level of minifootball, and I’m hoping to take my experiences into management and believe it will help me in my new role. I’m looking forward to bringing an exciting style to the national team, that I hope will bring silverware in time.”
New England manager, Lee Currie
The England national team trials will start this weekend in venues across the country and in EURO 2018 the new England team will be able to test its strength on the international level.
England’s last appearance in EMF EURO 2016