Wakefield's Bates brothers are aiming to achieve World Cup success with England

The Bates brothers are aiming to bring trophy success to England when they are set to take part in the World Championships being held this weekend (Friday to Sunday) at the home of newly promoted into the Football League Chesterfield FC.

Richard is the team captain and keen to get his hands on the trophy at the end of three days of competitive walking football action, having previously gone close to success in international events with England.

He is also delighted to be joined in the team by brother Christopher.

He said “I’m proud and chuffed to bits to be standing shoulder to shoulder with my brother Chris.

"It’s occasions like this that will make our parents (Barry and the late Christine) very proud and hopefully we can go one better than the runners-up spot in last year’s Winter Nations held in south Wales.

Chris also commented “To play alongside my brother at such a prestigious tournament just shows you’re never to old to play football and pull an England jersey on – it’s what dreams are made of.”

In this weekend’s tournament that will start with group stages matches England will be competing against walking footballers from all over the world, including Australia, Wales, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Peru, Sweden, France, the Caribbean, Norway, Gibraltar and Poland.