Goals Beyond the Field: Liam Burbridge's Journey in Amputee Football

In this inspiring episode of 'The Moving Mission,' hosts Anne-Marie Martin and Jack Wells are joined by a remarkable guest, Liam Burbridge.

Liam, an amputee footballer for Everton and England, shares his extraordinary journey from a life-altering accident to finding a renewed purpose on the football field. Dive into an engaging conversation that explores the challenges and triumphs of adapting to life as an amputee, the exhilarating world of amputee football, and the importance of community and resilience in sports.

Liam's story is not just about football; it's a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity and find joy in new beginnings.

Whether you're a sports enthusiast or someone looking for a dose of motivation, this episode is a compelling blend of personal narrative, sports insights, and heartfelt inspiration.

Remember to give us a follow, and let us know your feedback!

Transcript

Anne-Marie Martin: 0:02

Hello, and welcome to the moving mission podcast with me Amory Martin from

Jack Wells: 0:06

DD dance. And me, Jack wells, the one that dancer Join

Anne-Marie Martin: 0:10

us as we discussed the importance of moving impact

Jack Wells: 0:14

inclusion and benefits for both physical and mental health. Welcome to today's episode of the move admission podcast, we have a very special guest with us today. And I'd like to welcome Liam Burbridge. How are we mate?

Liam Burbridge: 0:30

I'm good, man. I'm good. And thank you for having me. Every time I get to speak about, like, my support and what I do, it's like, a great honour for me to be able to raise awareness. So thank you for having me on. Yeah. So

Jack Wells: 0:43

could you tell us a little bit more about exactly what you do and sort of on social media and stuff like that? Yeah. So

Liam Burbridge: 0:49

I'm an amputee football or I'm a below knee amputee and I play football for Everton and England and amputee football is it's a bit of a crazy sport, if you've never seen it before. So all the outfield players play on crutches using one leg. And the goalkeeper is an amputee or as an arm deficiency, and he's in goal with just one and yeah, basically started through tic tock and was posting videos playing football at home, using the prosthetic leg at the time playing football and stuff. And then someone from the amputee football community just got in touch with me and said, Why don't you come and try this? So a dad and I know we'll go into it, but I've not looked back really. And, and the whole thing around social media really is. And no, I'm an amputee footballer, and I'm keen into sport. But that's not my whole persona. I mean, like, I'm trying to raise awareness about not only disabilities, but trying to inspire people to achieve the best.

Jack Wells: 1:49

Yeah, that's brilliant.

Anne-Marie Martin: 1:51

Did you always play football as a child?

Liam Burbridge: 1:54

Yes. So I played football all my life really literally from I mean, I've got a son, Liam JR. He's eight, I played football from around his edge, right up until I was 1819. And then when I lost my leg, I was actually involved in a road accident, lost my leg. And then I had a period where I didn't play sports at all, I didn't do nothing. So I think it was about eight years. So literally did nothing for really. And then once I found out about amputee football, like it's literally changed my life. So

Anne-Marie Martin: 2:25

after the accident, and I'm sure you're in jackal, we'll talk about that a lot more. What do you think was that turning point of getting back into some sort of physical activity?

Liam Burbridge: 2:37

So I've always been really positive from the start, really, because at the time of me accident, my girlfriend was actually pregnant with our daughter. So that was one of me. motivating factors of like, trying to be positive and stuff like that. Because, I mean, I had a good upbringing as a kid like, and I didn't want it to be in my daughter's false that if she missed out on things, you know, I mean, so. I mean, I know Jack will agree, like, we'll never recover, like our limbs never gonna grow back. But I wanted to make as better recovery as I can, so that I could be there for Midata. That's brilliant.

Unknown: 3:15

What did you feel when? Because yours was more of an ongoing process through your illness? Yeah. Do you think there is a difference when it's more of an impact of an accident to? How did you know when you were going to lose your leg? Was there time to prepare for it?

Jack Wells: 3:38

Not really. No, it was still quite quite quick because I although I, I knew there was a problem with my knee. I didn't know quite what and sort of from when I found out it was actually cancer to actually have an amputation was only about a two week period. But I think the difference for me was it was although it wasn't really a choice, because I kind of said that's what we need to do. It kind of still felt like it was in my control a little bit. Whereas I think obviously in Liam situation where he's actually in an accident, it's, you know, it literally must be a lot harder maybe to get your head round. I'm not sure.

Liam Burbridge: 4:15

Yeah. So similar. I didn't really have a choice but it did. I agree with the fact that it did feel like a choice because they made several attempts to save me like before the actual and it was all it was all within so I was in hospital for two months at the time. And they did eight operations on the leg before they actually said like, you know, if even if we do save your leg now, your mobility is not going to be great because it basically fused me ankle stiff, and I got something called compartment syndrome in the bottom half a mulligan all the muscle was dying in the lake and like I say, if they just say for me, like my mobility would have been really poor. So amputation was on the cat from the beginning. You know, they have to give you every scenario sort of thing, don't they? And they reached a point where like, had not only had I got fed up of like, all these operations because I was literally having an operation every two days whilst I was in hospital. And because amputation had been discussed, I just said to him in the end, like, you know, just amputate me like, because I realised that if even if they did serve me leg, I'd probably been in a worse situation than I am now. Right?

Jack Wells: 5:30

Yeah. And how long did it kind of take you to get back on your feet? After after the you had the amputation?

Liam Burbridge: 5:38

So it wasn't long, really, because I had my accident in February 2013. And my daughter was born in July 2013. And I kinda like made it my mission to be up and walk in and ready for when my daughter was born like so. I mean, at the time, it probably felt like forever Do you know what I mean? But literally within the space of a couple of weeks or leaving the hospital, they had me into physio and they had like these compression socks that they was putting on the stump to reduce the swelling and stuff like that and then before we know it the Acme in like, a test socket attached prosthetic leg and then yeah, it was it was literally within a few months really?

Jack Wells: 6:19

Oh, that's fantastic. Mom was soon to be fair. Yeah, and I remember all of the compression socks and going through all of that and I remember trying the like you're saying that kind of test a leg to start with and thinking God this is actually going to be a lot harder than they made it sound like it was gonna be

Liam Burbridge: 6:37

Yeah, well I don't know what you're like Jack but it was literally like it was literally like a big long stiff thing with a bag inside and then once you put your stamp inside at the inflated it with Yeah, literally my first few steps was on this like it wasn't really a leg it was more of like just a walk in air to draw I mean yeah,

Jack Wells: 6:58

yeah.

Unknown: 7:00

So obviously they will try and professional with with it did you feel as well as the physical will help you get into obviously be able to walk again and being mobile? What sort of mental help did you get so for your emotional and mental well being.

Liam Burbridge: 7:18

So at the time, they did offer me like people to speak to and things like that. But personally, I felt like because I had a strong network around me with my family and friends. I felt like I didn't really need that help. But looking back now, the eight years that I've spent between losing my leg and starting support, I look back now and think maybe I should have took that help job. I mean, because it took me it took me eight years to start football and it took me 10 years to get to where I am now and you know and I never dwell on the past but I do think that maybe over the talk that professional help earlier would have reached this point quicker sort of thing. I mean, because as I said, I've always been positive and you know, even though it was difficult and stuff like I said it was my family and friends really that was giving me the help that I needed

Unknown: 8:11

in the motivation of your little girl being ignored as well. Yeah, that's a big big How long did it take you? Well,

Jack Wells: 8:18

it's funny I didn't didn't have a dog on the way but I there's similar thing in that my mom was actually getting married in our feed about five months after I had my visitation done. And she wanted me and my brother to walk down the aisle so I kind of had that same end goal if you like if I need to be walking by then so that I can walk down the aisle rather than will be under us.

Liam Burbridge: 8:41

I think it's really important to set goals and like you might not be massive goals you might not be like you know in my case now I'm playing football it doesn't have to be or want to win the World Cup or you know, I think as long as you set yourself small little goals and you celebrate them little wins. I think that's enough to keep you going.

Unknown: 9:01

So that period eight years that you talk about how did you then get into the amputee football did someone did you go out seeking a physical activity to do all you've done as a child's have felt natural or did someone present it to you as an option?

Liam Burbridge: 9:20

So in that eight years, I did do like individual one off sporting type things. So like for example a year after me amputation I did St Helens the town where I live I did send something sank everyone admitted bleh I didn't run it like I walked the vast majority of it but you know, I was kinda like ticking boxes along the way and you know, trying all sorts of different things but I didn't really find anything that I really wanted to stick out so like I say it was just when I started posting on tick tock really and it was mainly when we was in lockdown and stuff and everyone was bored and I was off work and you know, so Like I've shared my story on Instagram ever since it happened, but I decided to get into Tik Tok. And because I played football, all my life football was a natural thing to start doing. And like I said it was an actual player. His name's Jamie. Okay. He sent me a message and was like, why don't you come and try amputee football with us? So I went down and tried it and absolutely loved it.

Unknown: 10:25

So the power of Tiktok, I suppose, because that's the same with your story as well.

Jack Wells: 10:32

Even while we're here today, obviously, I met Liam through Tiktok as well. And he's very good at skills by the way, even with his prosthetic leg on I was always very, very impressed

Liam Burbridge: 10:43

with my prosthetic leg on anymore, because because we play on crutches like I would never, like actively try and kick the ball with Miss Stone. But when the ball would come to me, and there was like a split second to think I would counter lunch for the ball with Mr. John. I mean, so especially when I got selected for England, I took the decision to stop playing with Mulligan because I felt like it was holding me back in sight aware. And

Jack Wells: 11:11

have you still got so the leg that you still have got remaining? Is that the kind of leg that used to be life? Some people are right foot left foot or have your

Unknown: 11:23

dominant leg? Yeah,

Liam Burbridge: 11:25

like I can't I can't myself really lucky for that because there's some guys who literally have to learn how to play with the non dominant leg joint I mean, but when I was younger, I always me right foot was always my favourite form for being able to play football with me right foot now has really helped me and I think that's why it's helped me progress so quickly. Because as I say, I've only been playing I'm pretty football for like two and a half years now. And, you know, I mean, I mean, the England setup, and I think the hardest part was learning to play on crutches, but things like shooting, passing, things like that came quite naturally because it was me my right foot, ya

Jack Wells: 12:04

know, because I've tried. I've tried the sport one. So I actually went for a training session with the Arsenal amputees, yes, probably about a couple of years ago. And I was always predominately left footed. And it's my left leg that I lost. Yeah. Like you say, without trying to also do crutches and everything else. It was like, I'm just not used to kicking my right foot. So that's difficult. Of course. Yeah.

Unknown: 12:29

It's a huge difference, isn't it? Yeah. And so once you found amputee football and obviously loved it, what would you how would you say that's helped you as a person physically, mentally, emotionally.

Liam Burbridge: 12:45

I feel like meeting other amputees as well. Like I've always interacted with a lot of amputees on social media and stuff. And I think that's helped me from the beginning. But being in person around, these are the lads who've all got various stories as to why they've lost their leg. And, you know, it's very rare that you have that conversation with your teammate about how you lost your leg or how you're feeling about it. But there's just something comforting about being around other people who, you know, not know, similar to what you're going through. But I feel like it's helped me in many ways. Like, I've always struggled with mental health and I have suffered with like, stress and anxiety, but I feel like football is calmed me down a lot. And it's like, it's like, it's helped me to deal with these stressful situations. Or when I'm at home in the day to day life, if there's a stressful situation going on. In the back of my mind, I know that the weekend I've got football or you want to mean like so. I feel like before I started playing football, I didn't deal with stressful situations very well. Whereas I feel now even though it's got nothing to do with football, it's helped me a lot mentally.

Unknown: 13:59

But there's all the benefits that we know of any physical activity that you know, the more physical we can be the the more happy hormones it releases to, to help alleviate stress and anxiety. Definitely I'm, I'm the same we don't see. Because running a business. And again, it's locked down when when I couldn't teach dance. I could feel that my mental health declining and was then when I joined Tiktok we met and I did dance lives and things just that again, getting moving and getting active was what really helped. I think a lot of people get through.

Jack Wells: 14:42

Now definitely, like

Liam Burbridge: 14:44

with football, when like when I go and play football, literally, I think about nothing but football when I'm playing. I mean so I feel like again the stressful situations that might be going on in my life. I'll go and play football for an hour. And then by the time it's finished It's like, I've not forgot what's happened because you know, it's important what's going on in your in your life, isn't it? But like, I feel after it, I just feel a bit more calm. And you know what I mean? So, yeah, definitely

Unknown: 15:12

that distract you distracting. Even just 20 minutes and an hour, definitely, definitely

Jack Wells: 15:20

where I'm involved in. I play like wheelchair tennis. And I've actually recently started trying wheelchair rugby. And it is that outlet where you go, Well, I've got constrained what I'm doing anyway. Yeah. But once you start, you know, using your energy sweating a little bit, and everything else you do kind of realised that you a little bit of that level of stress has lifted from you, you know, a bit a bit from the fiscal activity you've been doing. So I can totally agree with that. And I think as well with your point of being around ever aren't you tease? Although with the rugby in the tennis, I'm kind of around people with various different disabilities. But that moment, you you sit in the wheelchair, and you're doing the same sport as everyone else in that group, you kind of feel a sort of bit of normality again, yeah, I've ever had anything to negative towards me as an amputee, where you might feel different in a bad way. But there's always that little side where you feel different to others. Whereas I think when you play the sport and Liam's most probably the same, you just feel the same as everyone there. You're all in the same boat doing the same thing. And that side of it, I think, for your mental health feels good as well. Yeah, totally

Liam Burbridge: 16:30

agree. Like, the same I've had very negative response to my disability and stuff, you know, like, don't really feel like I've actively been discriminated against or anything, but I do feel like without realising it, you are you are different to 90% of the people that you meet, you know what I mean? So I did, I did receive a lot of help from an amputation charity in St. Helens, when it first happened, but a lot of the amputees we were meeting was either a lot older than men or a lot younger than men. And we didn't really have much in common, you know what I mean? And I'll forever be thankful for the support that I got from them, but just meeting all the lads similar to my age, similar outgoings, you know, we've all got jobs and stuff, because amputee football is not a professional sport. So we're all live in full time employment, full time education. So then, day to day struggles of life, of living with a disability. We all understand each other sorts of things, you know, I mean, yeah. Wow. So

Unknown: 17:39

I didn't realise that. So how do you find the time and financially to do all the training and then especially for England, I presume there's quite a bit of travel involved. How do you juggle all of that with your family as well? Yeah,

Liam Burbridge: 17:55

so it's a bit of a struggle at the minute like because I've actually, in September, I've gone back to college to finish me levels, basically. So at the moment, I'm in full time employment, I'm studying, play an amputee football Mima partner, we've got three children between us. So it can be really difficult. But one of the massive things with amputee football is is we have to do a lot of fundraising. And we rely on the goodwill of people sponsoring us basically. And, you know, all our staff. So we have a, we have a crew of 25 members of staff, and that's ranging from physios to media people. We have strength and conditioning coaches, football coaches, literally, if you if you didn't know we wasn't professional, and you spent a weekend with us, you would just think we're professional, because the England setup is that good, really. But as I say, we we rely on fundraising and sponsorship for that, but with the travel sort of thing. So when we go away, we've we've been to Poland twice this year, competing international tournaments. That's what the fundraising pairs for sort of thing. And each player at the beginning of the year is set a target of how much money they have to fundraise. And then that's almost your pot then to cover your travel, your accommodation, that sort of thing. Wow,

Unknown: 19:19

that's so inspirational, what made you decide to add college into the mix of an already full time working family life. So

Liam Burbridge: 19:30

basically, when I had me accidents, I was 20 when they had me accidents, and I was doing an electrician apprenticeship. And what it was is it was a four year course and it was three years into the course. And then because I've had more than 12 months off work, college said summer, we have to start the course again. And because I was 20 I was like I'm not doing that join me and like and that just got moved on to the next thing and I mean when I look back, I do think it would have just done it and have been qualified three times over now you know what I mean. But I've kind of spent the past 10 years, not in and out of jobs because all the jobs I've had have been in for like three and four years at a time. But I've had three jobs since losing my leg. And there was not really much room for progression in these jobs, you know, I mean, so. And there was all physical, labouring jobs sorts of things. So one of my jobs I was a labourer in a truck Garriage and another one in the jobs. I was doing maintenance in a Koran, which wasn't too bad, really. But I just wanted to better myself religion, what I mean, so one of the things when I left school, I originally wanted to be a physiotherapist. So, over these past couple of years now, when I wasn't enjoying my job, I've just been thinking about going back to it really. And the two main reasons are is now I think I'd be a brilliant physiotherapist because I can empathise and understand what the patient is coming through and what I mean. So I mean, the hell power received off math is yours. I want to do the same for other people. Do you know what I mean? But with sport as well. I've literally fell in love with this sport so much that I've literally got a limited time in play in it when it comes to international levels, you know what I mean? So there's some guys who are in the 40s, and even 50s, who still play in the league and stuff for the domestic clubs. But at the international level, effectively. The sun's going to set on my time one day, and you know what I mean? So, I'd love to go back into sport and carry on in sport as a physiotherapist and I mean

Unknown: 21:44

mazing. And so really, we need our Do you think amputee football can can almost raise its game more to get more recognition on the sign you're playing for our country? Yeah, it needs to be bigger. Yeah,

Liam Burbridge: 22:03

I think the England amputee Football Association is trying the best you know. And we have, we have a great setup. And we literally have a media team who's constantly arranging meetings with companies who can support us. And we've recently signed a deal with a company that's going to film all our matches and live stream on Facebook and stuff, which has never happened before in England. And I think part of it as well comes down to all those players, you know what I mean? Like so it's kind of our job as well to go out and spread the word about amputee football and try and encourage more people to get involved and start playing it. Because effectively, you can only meet the demand, can't you? So we've only got four teams in the league at the moment. So in the whole of England, there's only four amputee football teams. Whereas if there was 678, maybe even 10 teams, and there was a lot more players, then it be not just a lot more.

Jack Wells: 23:04

Yeah, I think that's the struggle with sort of disabled sport in general is it's every sport is trying to build up at the moment, like the rugby team that I've just joined this in the whole of Essex, where I live, it's the only rugby team that you can join isn't another Rugby Club. The tennis I go to a play in Essex as well is the only club in Essex. And it's so you know, unless you're a dedicated person that wants to travel and, you know, put a lot of money into it yourself. It's very difficult to just turn up to your local club, whereas I feel in able bodied sport, there's light in one little town, you can have five football teams and you can have you know, it's a lot more easier to get into into sport. Whereas like you're saying, I think you've already done amazing in, you know, making it more aware for people using your social media and everything. Yeah, absolutely.

Unknown: 23:57

And yeah, for teams, you said you'd trained with Arsenal arsenal? Yeah, you're with Everton, the other two premier reps as well.

Liam Burbridge: 24:07

Yeah. Chelsea and Portsmouth. Wow.

Jack Wells: 24:13

Well, you've kind of because you've represented various teams in the sport. Yeah.

Liam Burbridge: 24:18

So last year, I played for Manchester City. So that was really good because we got the chance to train at the Academy of Manchester City, but so we were like literally in the same place as professional footballers, whilst you know what I mean, so that was brilliant. What happened basically was is in Europe, Poland and Turkey are both professional advocacy footballers. They get paid it's the full time job. And it shows on the pitch because the two of the top teams in Europe, I mean, Turkey, the current European and World Champions. So in 2018 Now I enjoy At 21, the European Championship was played less because of COVID and Turkey one. And then in 2022, Turkey won the World Cup as well. So, as I said, it shows because of the backing and the funding they get, you know what I mean? So it's very difficult for us to try and bridge that gap. Because, as we've mentioned, we all have full time jobs and everything. And we have to try and remain as professional as possible to keep up with them with without the money. Do you know what I mean? But yeah, it was in before the World Cup, it was an inclusive league in England, people was allowed to play with the prosthetic legs and things like that. So I mean, I didn't, because I knew the international rules of amputee football that you have to play on crutches. So a new ever played on my leg, I would never be able to play for England. So I took the decision very early on in me amputee football career to stick to the coaches and try and develop that way. But when we came back from the World Cup, because we wasn't quite as successful as we wanted to be really. The England amputee Football Association took the decision to change it from an inclusive league to a purely amputee Football League. And all the games will be played at international rules, using coaches on now, that caused a lot of problems with players who didn't want to use coaches. You know what I mean? And a lot of teams dropped out. So as I said, Manchester City, we had them they dropped out because they didn't have enough players, Newcastle, Brighton, West Brom, they all dropped out, because unfortunately, they didn't have enough players. We wanted to play on crutches.

Jack Wells: 26:45

Yeah, when I went to the training session, I think we've asked Well, there was kind of a mixed group, some. But yeah, the majority were on crutches, I believe. But yeah, yeah. So it's quite easy.

Liam Burbridge: 27:00

It's hard work. But now that I've got used to it, and I mean, that was the wrong way to word it really got used to it, because I'm still learning all the time. But I feel like now that I've played on crutches for a long period of time. I can't really ever imagine playing sports on my prosthetic leg again, really, because, you know, even the one below knee I feel so much freer when I'm playing on crutches and you know, me stunk doesn't get sore. You know, like it's anything sometimes it's kind of a relief to take my leg off and play on crutches. Sure. I mean, so

Unknown: 27:34

when it comes to

Jack Wells: 27:37

certain for me, it's easier without the leg on and then other things are easier with it on like day to day activities. But sport, I don't ever ever wear the leg. No. So you're

Unknown: 27:47

above the knee. Yeah, your prosthetic leg. You don't have decontrol? No,

Jack Wells: 27:53

of course not. No, no, no. So I don't feel I could do kick up slightly and does it fall off?

Liam Burbridge: 28:02

Think it is very daunting for players who don't use crutches, to start playing football on crutches. So I can understand the concerns of not wanting to but I do stand by what I say if if if they try it then you know, maybe they'd like it because I was the same and I literally didn't use crutches from from you. So when I lost my leg. I was walking with two crutches for a few weeks. And then I'd use one crutch for a few weeks. And then once I was used to her in before weights on a prosthetic. I just didn't use crutches ever again then. And it was only when I started playing football, that I started using crutches again. So I understand the concern of players not wanting to use crutches because that wasn't me at one point. I mean, at one point when I first started I thought, well I don't need crutches. So why why would a play on him John Amin, but now now I've been involved with the amputee football community and now have tried it. I honestly think it's so much better than using prosthetics. Would

Unknown: 29:05

that be your message to anyone listening? Just come and give it a try? Yeah,

Liam Burbridge: 29:11

just give it a try. Don't be put off by the first time being very ad because as I say, like, within two years I've gone from never playing the sport in my life. I mean, obviously at the football background, so that's massively helped. But I've gone from never playing football on crutches before to literally like this time last year I was in Turkey with England at the World Cup. I mean, so

Unknown: 29:36

what would be the the biggest setback you think people try when they first tried to play on crutches? Is it literally the arm strength? Or indeed the crutches do you have to have specific crutches to help with any?

Liam Burbridge: 29:55

Yeah, no. No, we don't. We don't use any like Special crutches or anything, a couple of the players do wear like elbow sleeves. So there were like a sleeve that covers the rail, just from the elbow to the wrist. And that can help with friction. We don't really use any specific crutches. But what we do do is, if there's any physios watching, please don't shout at us boy, do you know where your arm goes into the crotch, we tape that completely closed. So usually there's a gap in the crutches in the slot, your arm can slip out. But when we're like moving backwards, side to side, when you're turning quickly, that sort of thing. We tape and completely closed so so our arms don't fall out of them. You know what I mean? But I do think that is probably the biggest barrier, like how much you shoulders, your back. Even even the palms of your hands, like, the palms of my hands are like gravel, because the saw had off, you're playing football on crutches all of a sudden, do

Jack Wells: 30:55

you get through crutches like you have a broken arm and have to kind of keep replacing them or? Yeah, literally,

Liam Burbridge: 31:02

crutches break all the time. So the side of the pitch will literally each player has to have two super sets of coaches at the side of the page. And then they literally break all the time and a member of staff will come running on the pitch with a new coach fire. And like when we go away to these tournaments and stuff like that, like going through the airports a nightmare, you know, because there's, there's 15 players in a team. We all carry our own match coaches, but then there's two sets of spear coaches. So I'm not going to try and do the math, but we literally have to be

Jack Wells: 31:35

coaches. That's crazy.

Unknown: 31:39

So if the actual game itself coming from a non football player, how, how much interaction and tackles, what are the rules? What are the what are the differences. So it's

Liam Burbridge: 31:55

very similar to mainstream football, really, but the main differences are, it's seven aside, instead of 11 players, each side, we play 25 minutes each half. So it's a 50 minute game, instead of a 90 minute game. We take kick ins instead of throwings. Because we're using, you know, we've got hold of our coaches, so we take kick ins, there's no offside like there is a mainstream football. And like I say, it's, it's, it's very similar to watch the mainstream football, but there are a few tedious real differences like so when you get a goal kick, because there's no offside, you're not allowed to kick the ball from a goal kick straight over the halfway line, the ball has to bounce before it goes over the halfway line. And it's like, it's on a smaller pitch than usual. But if the ball touches your crotch, it's almost classed as a handball so you're not allowed to like tackle someone with your crotch Ah, if like I said literally if the ball touches the country sandbar but I think no like the touches

Unknown: 32:59

the crutches are tangible

Jack Wells: 33:01

yeah yeah that's happened quite a lot does it not?

Liam Burbridge: 33:04

Yeah, it does it does happen quite a lot but obviously mentioned footballs change now with var video assistant referee in it but in what what used to be considered as handball in football is whether it was deliberate or how close the person was they do take that into consideration so if you knew was literally side by side and you kicked the ball at macro

Jack Wells: 33:31

chances going to hit the crutches and there's the picture. Yeah,

Liam Burbridge: 33:35

you can you can get away with it but as a general rule, yeah, example but also because because I have such a long stump so I've literally got like three quarters of my leg left. The ball twitches missed and that's also classed as a handball effectively because yeah, because usually I like to like control the ball you know if the ball touches Mr. Armpits faster sandbar because there's guys who have have an above and Eastern pa does even guys with no stomp you know is like at the hip sort of thing. So

Jack Wells: 34:11

you have to train yourself to if the balls on your left side said not move your stamp out to try and touch the ball. Yeah,

Liam Burbridge: 34:18

that's what I was saying. At the beginning when I used to play football using the prosthetic leg. I kind of stopped doing that because as I said, when the ball had come up me really quick. I would Lauren Jarrett with me with Miss Stone. There are times when like we was in a game against Portsmouth and one of them was inside me on penalty area. And one of the Portsmouth players crossed the ball across into the area and the ball bounced in front of him and it bounced up and it hit me in the thighs. But because my legs was closed, it hit me storm. And a penalty was basically given to Portsmouth. And the referee came over and said to me like you know, I understand that wasn't nothing You could do, but if I had no stone Patar the ball wouldn't dibala to carried on going through my legs. You know what I mean? It's like, Michigan blocked the ball from going further.

Unknown: 35:10

Wow. Yes, it's quite technical again. Yeah. And is there sort of like sportsmanship unwritten rules like did tackles happen do you keep a certain distance? How aggressive does it get?

Liam Burbridge: 35:26

It's very aggressive actually. If you if you the the reaction we get from a lot of people who've never seen it before, it's like, oh my god, you know what I mean, but you're not allowed to slide tackle. So in Maitri football, you see football players slide in every way you're not allowed to slide Sakhalin MC football at all. And, yeah, basically, there's the sportsmanship and there's on sportsmanship. You know, like, if someone, if someone's running at you with the ball, sometimes you do put your coaches out wide, so it's harder for them to get around you. You know, like said, If, say you're in a corner and all the players are gathered in the box, you know, people do tug and pull on the other players, coaches to try wind them up and things like that. But honestly, it's it's a mad game. It's one of them, there were you won't believe it. So you see it sort of thing. And we get a lot of good feedback from people who are not necessarily football fans, because it's a shorter game. You know what I mean? So I have some family members who don't want to sit there for two hours watching a game of football tonight. I mean, whereas our games over and done within one hour, so yeah,

Unknown: 36:36

so that's basically why so many crutches get broken. That's what you say. Yeah.

Jack Wells: 36:41

Yeah. Do you find though, because the experience I've had in, you know, the sports I've played in since I've, I've been an amputee, off off of the pitch. Do you find though, that you kind of all interact even with the other team, and you kind of give me some pointers and stuff, like, because I'm very competitive when I play tennis. And normally my position is, but once you kind of off call, there'll be like, giving you little tips are next time try this and do kind of get that in football. Yeah,

Liam Burbridge: 37:08

yeah, definitely. Like, it's very competitive on the pitch. I agree. But once you're off the pitch, everyone's all friends shot. I mean, and I've been very lucky that not only my teammates have been supporting me by offering me advice and things. But like you said, Jack, even players from different teams and stuff have come over to me at the end of the game and been like, oh, maybe try this, maybe try that. And they just offered me encouragement, because everyone knew I was so new to the sport. You know, there was people from other teams encouraging me say, you know, keep working out, keep doing it. But I think, especially with the England setup, you know, because everyone knows each other inside out. And as I said, because there's only four teams, you play in against the same teams, every fixture, you do get to know each other. I mean, so everyone's friends effectively. But once you cross over that white line, yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Unknown: 38:07

Amazing. I just think it's so inspirational. Obviously, meeting Jack, I was completely inspired by him, as well. But I just love just focusing on the ability, not the disability, and what you can do, and how we can inspire others to look and think, Okay, this has happened, but this is what I can still do. And yeah, there was a moment that you hit that either of you, or do you think it sort of came on gradually, as you worked through what was happening to you?

Liam Burbridge: 38:48

I think, for me, I think at first I tried amputee football not knowing what to expect. And then it was once a met the players. And once we got involved, I just realised that like, this is something that I want to take very seriously. You know what I mean? And I'm not saying that everyone has to go out and go to the extreme of trying to be a professional athlete, you know what I mean? But yeah, like not, not everyone wants to do that. Do that, you know what I mean, but I do feel like a recreational level. It's something that they can try, you know what I mean? And it's something I try and encourage everyone to try, but things like they've actually just launched a women's team. So that's really exciting, because that opens the doors for more players. They have a junior, the Avid junior team, so it literally for it ranges from the age six to 16. And there's little amputee children running around and stuff and it's brilliant to see because all the benefits that I've explained about meeting other amputees and stuff like that, they've now got that opportunity said you know what I mean?

Unknown: 39:57

Yeah, but also I think it's comes down to representation, doesn't it, they see you play in and be inspired by people like yourselves. And so as a small child where it can feel really isolated, because you don't have the world experience out there, seeing somebody that looks like you and represents you, it's so inspiration. I

Jack Wells: 40:20

think that's why though there's a slightly different feel when you're involved in a disability sport, because certainly when I started, just how encouraging everyone who was already playing the sport was off me. But I think in you look at if you're trying to make it as a tennis player, or football are in kind of mainstream, how it's so competitive, because there's hundreds of 1000s of people that want to become a professional footballer, and they're all very like, well, I don't want you to make it because I want to make it kind of thing whereas I feel in you know, over chief, it was mostly the same, but where I play tennis, people want more people to play, because I haven't got that many people to play with, you know, and so it's a lot more encouraging of now, come on, you can do this, and you know, keep coming to training and doing all this stuff. Because, you know, they they want more people playing the sport. Yeah,

Liam Burbridge: 41:10

definitely. I couldn't agree more. Because, as I said, that's one of our biggest barriers, the fact that we've not got that many people playing the game, you know what I mean? But I think it's down to exactly that. But down to the personal side of it as well. They want you involved and they want your play in the sport, but also because they kind of understand what you might have been through or what you're going through the supporting, not only professionally in the sport, but personally as well.

Unknown: 41:43

Yeah. And that team, as you said, you go in the similar position. And so you've all got each other's backs, and you all support each other emotionally as well. Yeah.

Liam Burbridge: 41:53

And I agree, like, you know, the camaraderie that goes with it as well, you know, like, we probably say things to each other, that enabled bodied person wouldn't get away with saying do not mean, but sometimes

Jack Wells: 42:07

discussing this before.

Unknown: 42:09

And I think Jack, you should probably mention a lot more.

Jack Wells: 42:13

You didn't want to go across offensive,

Unknown: 42:15

I don't want to I don't want to go into bands.

Liam Burbridge: 42:22

I think it's really important to be involved in something. And as I say it doesn't, it doesn't have to be the extreme of running marathons or playing for England, or, you know, if there's something you enjoy, you know, don't let anything stop you from doing it. And that's, that's one of the main points I tried to get across with my social media. Because, as I say, I know, I know, my accounts are very heavily football best, but that's just what works for me. You know, I mean, I do try and encourage people, it could be origami or painting or you know, if there's something you enjoy doing, and I believe you should go out and do it.

Unknown: 43:00

Yeah, that's amazing. What a great message to Liam talking about your social media. What are your handles? Where can people find you?

Liam Burbridge: 43:09

Yeah, so I'm on Instagram and Tiktok. And my handles are both the same. It's, it's Liam burbs. And as I say, I know, a normal football. Me content is very football based. But especially on the tick tock, I have playlists where people have asked me questions about how many prosthetic leg works or our do day to day activities. And I do try and show a lot of that as I can. Because one of my main things is disability awareness. Because when I became an amputee, I felt very lonely at the beginning, you know what I mean? And there was a lot of questions that I had that not everyone could answer. So I mean, I do get some mad far out the questions, but like,

Unknown: 43:54

Oh, and also, if anybody is interested in getting into amputee football, where would you advise them to go to get more information? Well,

Liam Burbridge: 44:03

if you wanted to, you could ask me through my own socials, and I could point you in the right direction. But if you wanted to get involved with if he wants you to find out off the England amputee Football Association, it's the E, F. And that's the same on Instagram and Tiktok. And they can point you in the direction of your nearest club or, you know when games are when you can come and watch and things like that. So definitely get in touch with.

Anne-Marie Martin: 44:32

Amazing, thank you so much for joining us today. I've been fascinated by. It's so interesting to hear about and you are a true inspiration to me. Thank you. So thanks for listening today. Have another episode and we hope you'll join us on the next one where we'll have some more guests. Thanks for listening. Thanks for listening today. We hope you feel inspired to get moving and

Jack Wells: 44:57

don't forget to give us a follow here if you enjoy Today's episode and check us out on all over social media at the movie mission