A Dundee man says his “dream has come true” after netting a goal in the first ever win for Scotland’s amputee football team.
Rob Wilson, 33, had his right leg amputated when he was just a few months old due to a club foot.
The BT employee is a lifelong sports fan, and came into his own when he discovered amputee football at an open day five years ago.
On Sunday, he secured the national side’s first ever win with a goal against Belgium during a third place play-off in Edinburgh, helping Scotland secure a 2-1 victory.
Winning goal gave amputee goose bumps
The football fanatic said: “I’ve got goose bumps.
“It was really emotional for a few reasons.
“We’ve played some games in the past and they didn’t go our way, but I think the team deserved that win.
“It was also emotional for me personally too.
“I’m quite invested in following the national men’s team, so from a patriotic point of view it meant a lot to me.
“It’s a dream come true.
“I never thought I’d be putting on a Scotland shirt and scoring a goal.”
First win ‘a relief’ for Scottish side
The national amputee team was formed in 2017, however it has been unable to secure a win until Sunday’s tournament.
Rob wasn’t the only player from Tayside and Fife to play in the special match, with Craig Lavender from Dunfermline and Arran Ritchie from Kirkcaldy taking part too.
Glenrothes resident and former Paralympian Iain Matthews was also at the game, managing the squad and playing alongside them.
He said: “After so many years not having a win it’s a relief.
“I’m really happy for all the guys who have been here from the start.
The 46-year-old was also born with a club foot, however he didn’t undergo an amputation until he was a toddler.
He didn’t let the operation hinder him, and has since gone on to represent his country as a swimmer at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics.
The contracts manager returned to international sport in 2018, taking up his current role in the Scottish amputee team.
He added: “Sports has played a huge part of my life.
“Coming from the Paralympics to this, it’s great to be part of a team.
“Everyone’s worked hard, so the win was very emotional for us.”
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