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Hull & East Yorkshire Powerchair Football Club are delighted to post this exclusive Q&A feature interview with Aspire Powerchair Football Club first team captain and England captain Jon Bolding. Jon has been playing Powerchair football for 18 years in that time seeing the sport and powerchairs develop to where the game is today. Last year, Jon led the England team to win the EPFA Nations Cup in a thrilling final against France, resulting in a 2-2 draw at full-time before heading to a penalty shootout. England came out on top bagging a 5-3 win on penalties. Watch the EPFA Nations Cup Final.
How long have you been playing Powerchair football?
18 Years (Old boy I know)
What do you enjoy the most about powerchair football?
The competitiveness
Why should someone who has a physical disability, and uses a wheelchair on a daily basis try powerchair football?
It will show them that there is a chance to play a version of football that they didn't necessarily know existed and am pretty sure that once they have had a taste of the sport they will love it.
How has powerchair football changed your life?
Before Powerchair football I loved football but could only ever dream of representing my country in a world cup and also win a European Championship. I have played football in so many great countries which I probably would never have visited if it wasn't for this great sport.
What’re your favourite top four memories during your career so far?
1) Winning the Euros 2) Receiving first ever England Cap 3) First Ever England game as captain 4) First Premiership trophy for Aspire
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Hopefully a world cup winner, Champions Cup winner and bringing on the next crop of talented powerchair players.
Let’s go back to when you first tried powerchair football, how did it feel?
Incredible, I finally found a sport In which I loved and I was on a level playing field and so the only thing that would prevent me from getting to where I wanted to be was myself.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
The day I got married I went all day without an alcoholic drink, left my wedding at 1 am in the morning to drive to Stansted Airport to catch a flight to Ireland so then I would be there to play for England the following day in the Euro in 2014.
What are your hobbies away from Powerchair football?
Powerchair football is my only hobby but away from football I am spending time with my wife and daughter. Taking my daughter to her gym / swimming classes and helping her develop as best I can.
What have you been doing during lockdown to keep yourself busy?
My daughter has been doing that haha, I have been trying to juggle work, with homeschooling and entertain my daughter. As a club, we have been having zoom calls every week to keep in contact and doing quizzes. Just really been keeping in contact with family and friends.
Hull & East Yorkshire PFC would like to thank Jon for taking his time during lockdown to be interviewed by our marketing & communications officer. Jon is a role model to many powerchair football players with a lot of the younger players aspiring to achieve his achievements one day during their career.