Among those going to London will be Swansea forward Scott Sinclair's brother, Martin (pictured left), and Michael Barker, who once competed alongside Wayne Rooney at the Everton academy in the seven-a-side cerebral palsy team.

Dave Clarke, who has won the Golden Boot at three World Cups, as well as five silver medals from World and European Championships, is also selected for the five-a-side squad for visually impaired players.

Clarke, 41, who was part of the British team which came fifth at the Paralympics in Beijing four years' ago and is the longest serving member of the five-a-side team, also took part in an advert with former England national team captain David Beckham for Sainsbury's.

Clarke said: "It is very difficult to describe my overwhelming emotion after learning of my selection for London 2012.

"The confirmation of my place in the squad is the realisation of a life time dream and a unique chance to compete at the pinnacle of my sport and on home soil in front of our own fans.

"From the moment I heard the remarkable announcement that London had been awarded the 2012 Paralympics, the journey to selection and competing at the Games has been my life.

"Selection is merely the start of the hard slog toward a medal, however, and the real work begins now to achieve what we all unanimously crave."

Five players took to the pitch at half time in the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Everton this weekend at Wembley, and received a rousing reception from supporters to mark the announcement.


In total 12 players have been selected for the seven-a-side team, with 10 set for the five-a-side visually impaired squad.

The seven-a-side team will hope to build on their third place finish at the 2011 BT Paralympic World Cup, as will the five-a-side squad, who also claimed bronze at the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) European Championships in Turkey last year.

ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission Craig Hunter said: "I am very pleased to welcome the 22 footballers that we have announced today to ParalympicsGB for London 2012.

"Their selection is undoubtedly the culmination of many years of hard work and I'd like to congratulate every one of them.

"Football is obviously a very popular sport in Britain, so I am confident that the British public will get behind these players and will seize the opportunity to find out more about the five-aside and seven-aside versions of the game."

Jeff Davis, the national disability development manager at the Football Association, said: "I am delighted to announce the teams for the London Paralympics today.

"The players have sacrificed a great deal up to now but this effort, commitment and hard work must continue if we are to realise our dream of playing in a medal match"

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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