Blind football star ready for London showdown

In just over a week, David Clarke will be playing in front of the biggest crowds of his career. But they won't be cheering him on, at least, not while the match is being played. I learnt this from his 10-year-old son, George.

He loves watching his Dad play football but says it's not so good because he can't cheer from the sidelines. Spectators at blind football matches need to be quiet enough so the players can hear the ball and each other.

David has two sons, who both share his love of football. David, though, wishes he had more time to kick a ball about with them. He has a full-time job at a bank, trains four times a week and then has all his playing commitments. He admitted to me that after Beijing he thought about giving up football. What kept him going? The prospect of playing in London.

He's very focused, as almost all elite athletes are. As captain and leading goalscorer he's a natural leader. But he's also part of the banter, the jokes and the insult-trading that form such a big part of any football team. I found him smart, sharp and good company.

He's played football all his life but has done it the hard way. When he was young there just wasn't the infrastructure in the game. The academies, training, support and facilities simply weren't there when he was growing up. Thankfully, things are getting better. At 42-years-old he is the elder statesmen of the game.

When I ask him about that, and about his role as an ambassador for the game, he says simply "right now, there's one thing in my head only and that's making sure Great Britain win every game they play".