Eden Valley goalkeeper Stu Forrester made his England debut after blazing his way into the national fire service football squad.
Stu, 38, is well known on the local football scene having represented several clubs, including Penrith AFC first team, Kendal Town and Wetheriggs United. He is currently signed on for Westmorland League side Greystoke and also sometimes plays outfield.
He works as a crew manager at Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service’s Carlisle East station.
Several years ago he registered his interest in playing for the fire service’s national team, which holds regular fixtures against representatives of other emergency services.
Nothing came of his interest on that occasion. But as a new manager sought to enlist fresh players, Stu was invited to trials held in Derbyshire during July.
“I knew they already had two or three goalkeepers in the squad. They took five or six players on from the 33 trialists and I’m lucky enough to be one of them,” he said.
“I got added to group chat the day after and then received an email to say ‘congratulations you’ve been added to the national squad for the season’.
“I knew I’d had a good couple of games during the trials. I’ve tried to wind down my football career, to be honest. I’m not getting any younger! But it was something to keep my interest for another couple of years. I’ll still be playing local football. This is a bit more motivation to keep going.” He added: “I’m still fit as fire!”
Stu was the only Cumbrian in England Fire’s match day squad for a game against a Royal Air Force XI at Royal Air Force Cosford Stadium in the Midlands on Wednesday. He played around 30 minutes in a 3-1 defeat.
“They were a very good side and we had four or five of our better players missing or else it probably would have been a lot closer,” he said.
Further games will be announced in due course and possibly even a European tour.
Stu, of Penrith, is the latest Eden sportsman to represent England fire service. Town rugby players Jamie McNaughton and Dan Richardson have worn their country’s colours.
Stu said: “A small county like Cumbria does tend to punch above its weight a little bit in sport.”
