JUDE Carroll, the son of former Wycombe Wanderers player Dave Carroll, is representing the club in the FIFA Ultimate Quaran-Team competition, writes Robert Folker.
The tournament was set up by Leyton Orient after the Football League was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak, hoping to give fans some entertainment whilst also raising money for lower league clubs as well as charities MIND and COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fundraiser.
The competition is a 128-team tournament that will be played on the football video game FIFA 20 with clubs from leagues such as La Liga, Seria A, the Eredevisie and the top four English divisions all competing.
Premier League footballers Andros Townsend, Neal Maupay and Todd Cantwell are all representing their clubs Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion and Norwich City.
Carroll, 16, who is playing on behalf of Wycombe, explained he woke up one morning with a message from the club asking him to represent them.
READ MORE: The coronavirus is not stopping the club from planning from the future
He said: “My cousin had mentioned me in a comment on Twitter and that’s how it came about really.
“I woke up the next morning to a message from Wycombe asking if I would like to represent them in the competition and it was a no brainer.
“It’s crazy to think Premier League players are in the same competition as me. A 16-year-old boy sitting in his room playing games against Premier League footballers who earn thousands every week, it’s all a bit mad.”
Former Wycombe player Dave Carroll, who made over 600 appearances for the club, is eager to watch the competition, according to his son.
Carroll said: “My dad said he did it out on the football pitch and you do it by a video game, so yeah I’m sure he will be watching. He’s been asking me every day when have I got a match.
“It’s an honour to represent my club. Since I was a kid I’ve always dreamed of playing for the club I support.
“I just wish I could do it on the football pitch like my Dad, but who knows maybe one day, it’s never too late.”
“Winning this competition would mean a lot to me you know. It would open so many opportunities to me on the gaming sides of things, but first I’ve got to beat one of the big boys in this competition in Lokomotiv Moscow.”
With the competition raising money for charity, Carroll wants to help the tournament to raise as much as possible during this worldwide pandemic.
Carrol continued: “I think It’s very important. I just hope people start to listen and stay at home and raise as much money for them as possible.”
READ MORE: Rob Couhig working to do the right things to ensure the football club survives the crisis
The young Wycombe fan is hoping to get back to Adams Park soon to watch the Chairboys try and clinch promotion.
He said: “I can’t speak highly enough of the job Gareth Ainsworth, Pete Couhig, Rob Couhig and the team have done this season.
“One of the lowest budgets in the English Football League and here we are with just 10 games to go sat in eighth position, and with a game in hand over everyone.
“I’m just hoping we can finish this season on a high but I have every faith in the boys that we will be in the playoffs, or who knows, maybe automatic promotion.
The final of the FIFA Ultimate Quaran-Team tournament is due to be played on the Friday April 3 and Carroll will be hoping he will there to win the first silverware of the season for The Chairboys.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here