Former Gillingham stars Nicky Southall, Andy Hessenthaler and Ian Cox helped England win the Seniors World Cup.

They were in the team who beat hosts Thailand 1-0 in the final.

It was a week to remember for the 44-year-old, who scored a free-kick in a 2-0 group-stage victory over the USA.

He said: “It doesn’t make headlines like the main England team but we felt proud to put the England top on. Wearing the Three Lions and hearing that national anthem got the juices flowing. You wanted to perform, not just for the team but for everyone back home.

“You never think you’re going to play for England and then you get a call out of the blue asking if you’d like to represent your country and you’re thinking, ‘wow, what a chance’.

“To play in a World Cup final 7,000 miles away from home, and to beat the host nation, was fantastic. Everyone was quite emotional at the end.

“Hessy and Ian Cox loved it. It was easier for Hessy because the over-50s had roll-on, roll-off subs. He was running about smacking into people. Everything was a bit slower but his tackles still went in the same!”

Former Tranmere player Kenny Irons scored the only goal of the final, finishing a first-half corner. It was tense as the home referee played nine minutes of added time.

Southall added: “He’d signalled three minutes so there were a few expletives when he carried on playing. It was a good job he didn’t speak a word of English, otherwise we’d have had half the team sent off!”