Banbury footballer helps England make history with Transplant World Cup success
An inspirational Banbury man has helped make history after being part of the England squad that won the Transplant World Cup for the first time.
Just four years ago, 35-year-old Adam Martin was in hospital undergoing a kidney transplant after being diagnosed with kidney disease.
Now, after his sister donated a kidney to him, Adam has helped make history as part of the first England team to lift the Transplant World Cup.
An avid footballer in his teens and 20s, Adam gave up his position as goalkeeper at Kings Sutton FC around 12 years ago to focus on work.
However, following his kidney transplant, Adam bumped into former teammate Daley Cross, who suggested he get involved with the England Transplant Football team.
Since then, Adam has represented England at two Transplant World Cups, the European Championships and the Four Nations Cup.
Following England’s victory at the last European Transplant Football Championships, Adam said he and his teammates were quietly confident travelling to Frankfurt for this year’s World Cup.
A total of 15 countries from Europe, North, Central and South America and Oceania took part in the seven-a-side competition, which ran from Monday, September 14 to Friday, September 18.
England’s campaign got off to a strong start with victories over Colombia (6-0), Romania (9-1) and the Netherlands (5-0), before they faced their first major test against 2024 World Cup champions Chile.
The game did not go England’s way and, when the final whistle blew after 40 minutes, they were trailing 4-2.
Frustration got the better of Adam, who kicked the ball towards the Chile players as they celebrated their third goal.
He was sent off and missed England’s quarter-final against Italy, which England won 3-0.
Adam returned in goal for the semi-final against Four Nations rivals Wales, who, like England, had finished top of their group.
England led 5-0 at half-time, but Wales fought back with the help of two penalties and reduced the deficit to 5-4.
However, the Englishmen held on to secure a 6-4 victory and book their place in the final.
Standing between England and the trophy were Spain, the 2024 runners-up, but England produced another strong performance to win 5-1 and lift the World Cup for the first time.
Representing England at an international football tournament and lifting the trophy was a major achievement for Adam, but he said being part of the transplant team has always been about more than football.
He said: “Obviously winning was the biggest highlight, but just being there to raise awareness for organ donation and transplantation, that's the main reason why we all do it.
“And just being with everyone, it's like a second family sort of thing. We all got on really well.”
Having been involved for several years, Adam has seen transplant football competitions grow in both size and quality.
He said: “It’s really good. I mean, it always makes the competition more challenging. But it also makes it good because you get to meet new people and share your experiences with them.”
Adam is encouraging people to consider registering as organ donors and discussing their wishes with their families.
He said: “Organ donation can save up to nine lives if you register. Talk to your families about it. Let them know what your intentions are.”