A physiotherapist from Harrogate will be heading to Thailand this summer, hoping to help England win the World Cup – again. 

Liam Chapman, 40, will be taking a short break from his usual job as the physiotherapy lead at The Duchy Hospital in Harrogate to accompany the England Veterans football team to the 16th Seniors Football World Cup in Bangkok. He said: 

“Before joining The Duchy Hospital, I worked at Middlesbrough FC as physio and supported the youth teams. The England Seniors team manager approached me and asked if I wanted to join them in Bangkok. I had worked with some of the players before. It was a wonderful feeling to be approached.” 

Liam Chapman (centre) was previously physiotherapist at Middlesbrough FC.

The Seniors World Cup tournament was initially conceived by the Senior Football Association of Thailand as a way to promote the country in the wake of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, and has grown to become an annual event. 

Each of the eight teams taking part must have players from different age-groups: three aged 40-44, four aged 45-49, three aged 50+, and a goalkeeper aged 40 or over. They will play a total of five games over six days. 

The team includes former Premier League players who are still in good shape, such as Barry Hayles, Deon Burton and Sean Davis, as well as non-league players still playing in their 40s. Newcomers to the squad Jon Challoner and Matt Bodkin are still turning out at Stamford and Chatham, following long careers in both the EFL and the Conference. Another still playing at 45 as player-manager at FC Malpas is former Burnley striker Steve Jones, who along with Ian Cox and Dean West make up a trio of former Clarets favourites in the squad.

England won one of their six titles in 2018.

England has won the cup six times – in 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2023 – and Liam, who used to play football professionally for Hull City FC, believes that 2024 could be added to the roll of honour. He said: 

“The standard of football is high, and we’ll be out there for 10 days in total. We have a strong squad, and I am confident we can win.” 

England first entered the invitational tournament in 2008 with a team of local players called Harrogate Veterans. It has been so successful that the management of the national team has been taken over by the Football Association, but Liam is keeping our district’s connection with the event alive. He said: 

“My family are really excited about the tournament and I look forward to sharing updates with them while I am out there. 

“In many ways the tournament is more than just football. Research shows remaining active as we get older is great for our physical and mental health. Hopefully, the tournament inspires more people to look into joining a local team sport!” 

In addition to the tournament, the competing teams, which include Scotland, Thailand, Germany, Australia, Iran and the USA, will support the “Football for Kids” programme, where players work with schoolchildren, helping them with coaching and sporting activities. Liam said: 

“I am really looking forward to experiencing the culture and having the opportunity to share my love of the game with others. Sport is so important for people’s health and wellbeing.”

The 16th Seniors World Cup will take place in Bangkok from June 3 to 8, 2024.

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A Harrogate man who moved to Thailand has raised nearly £14,000 cycling across the country to aid a struggling elephant home.

Bruce Haxton was born and raised in Harrogate and attended Harrogate Grammar School. He moved to Thailand to run the Tuk Tuk Club adventure travel company eight years ago.

When his business was halted due to the pandemic, he dedicated his time to raising money for a home of elephants he has worked closely with.

Maevang Elephant Home in Mae Wang has been struggling to maintain its eight elephants with no visitors during the pandemic so Bruce set out to raise £16,000 for the home by cycling across Thailand.

He finished his 2,300km journey this month after riding for 18 days in total.

His journey took him through 22 provinces and back, through mountain ranges and rice fields in temperatures of up to 45 degrees celsius.

He also undertook absolutely no training prior to setting off, making his journey even more challenging.

Bruce flying the Harrogate flag in Thailand.

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He was assisted by his friend Mr Noom who runs the elephant home and followed him on his journey in a tuk tuk full of supplies.

So far he is just £2,300 off his fundraising goal, and is still taking donations on his JustGiving page.

Bruce said that his family and friends in Harrogate have continuously supported him and donated from home. He also spoke about what the elephant home means to him;

“I’ve known this group of elephants and the team who look after them ever since we moved to Thailand and have become very attached to them, both the elephants who are just such majestic animals with such distinct personalities and also the team living with and looking after them.

“They are such fantastic, down to earth, hard working people with great love for their elephants being incredibly stoic in their suffering during the economic devastation that covid is having here in Thailand.”

If raised, the £16,000 total will be enough to sustain the elephants and the families looking after them for 3 months.