Hall of fame honour for blind footballer

Darren Harris said being inducted into the National Football Museum hall of fame was "truly special"

A paralympian who is England's most-capped and decorated blind footballer is set to be inducted into the National Football Museum's Hall of Fame.

Darren Harris made his debut for the country's blind team in 1996 and went on to make 157 appearances, scoring 34 goals while winning 10 world and European medals.

The 52-year-old, from Wolverhampton, took up the sport after losing his sight when he was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma, a type of cancer, when he was 15 months old.

"To be inducted into the hall of fame is truly special," Harris said.

"It may be my name on the award but football is a team game, and every cap and medal was won with the help of my teammates, coaches and staff.

"I hope this recognition shines a light on the wider blind football community and on the future of our sport."

Darren Harris will be inducted during a ceremony at the National Football Museum

Harris attended New College Worcester, a school for students with visual impairments, where sport became an important outlet for him.

After studying maths at university and starting a career in the information technology sector, he took the sport back up.

Six years after his England debut, he became captain in 2002 and helped the team qualify for the Athens Paralympic Games in 2004.

He switched to training full-time in Judo, competing at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008, before returning to football to play at the London Paralympics in 2012.

Since his retirement, he has worked as a motivational speaker, performance consultant and inclusion advocate, championing accessibility.

'Challenging perceptions'

Tim Desmond, CEO of the National Football Museum, said Harris was a "remarkable athlete and role model".

"His achievements on the pitch were extraordinary but it is his impact off the pitch, challenging perceptions, empowering others and championing inclusion, that truly sets him apart."

Harris will be inducted into the hall of fame at the National Football Museum in Manchester during the Para Sport Awards on 5 December.