For many young footballers, representing their country is a dream. For Freddie Lamb, that dream has become a reality through years of dedication, resilience and progression through the Cerebral Palsy football pathway.
Born with Cerebral Palsy (CP), Freddie’s love of football began at an early age. Starting out in mainstream football at the age of five, he developed his skills as a goalkeeper while enjoying the same opportunities as his peers.
At 11 years old, Freddie joined Derby County Community Trust’s Pan-Disability Team and was selected for the East Midlands Centre of Excellence for Cerebral Palsy Football, where he spent five years honing his talents and competing against some of the country’s most promising young players.
At the age of 15, Freddie earned a trial for the National Emerging Talent Programme (NETP) and secured a place within The FA Para Football Programme. Over the following two years, he attended national training camps during the school holidays, further developing his game and gaining valuable experience within England’s elite disability football pathway.
In 2017, Freddie represented the England Cerebral Palsy Under-21 squad at the European Para Youth Games in Genoa, helping his team secure a gold medal. It was a landmark achievement in a journey that was only just beginning.
From 2017 to 2020, Freddie continued to represent England at Under-21 level through a variety of camps and international fixtures. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, he became part of the England Development Squad, representing his country between 2020 and 2025 in fixtures against nations including Scotland and the Netherlands. During this period, he was also invited to senior England camps on several occasions, gaining invaluable experience alongside some of the country’s top Cerebral Palsy footballers.In 2023, Freddie moved from Derby County Community Trust to Burton Albion Community Trust when the Trust launched its Cerebral Palsy Football Team. The move marked a new chapter in both his playing and coaching journey, allowing him to continue competing in CP football while supporting the development of disability football opportunities for others across the local community.
The 2025/26 season marked another significant step in Freddie’s progression, spending the majority of the campaign with the England Senior Cerebral Palsy Squad.
Most recently, in September 2026, Freddie represented England at the Tri-Nations Tournament before receiving the news every player dreams of, selection for the Cerebral Palsy Football World Cup.
Reflecting on his journey, Freddie credits disability football with helping him grow both on and off the pitch.
“I was born with CP and have played football from the age of five. I played mainstream football as a goalkeeper before progressing onto the England pathway. Playing alongside other players with CP has really helped my confidence and increased my enjoyment of the game.It also made me want to make sure children with CP and other disabilities have a similar experience to the one I had growing up. That’s why I studied Sports Coaching and Physical Education at university, so I could help people achieve whatever their potential may be.”
Freddie’s story highlights the power of inclusive football pathways and the opportunities available for young people living with disabilities. From grassroots football to the international stage, his journey serves as an inspiration to the next generation of players and demonstrates what can be achieved through hard work, determination and a passion for the game.
Katie Johnson, Head of Community at Burton Albion Community Trust, said:”Freddie’s journey is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through dedication, resilience and a genuine love for the game. To progress from grassroots football to representing England on the international stage and earning selection for a World Cup is an incredible achievement that everyone connected to disability football should be proud of.What makes Freddie’s story even more special is his commitment to giving back. Through his studies and desire to support children and young people with disabilities, he is helping to create the same opportunities that have played such an important role in his own development. He is a brilliant role model for aspiring players and an inspiration to everyone involved in our programmes.”
