Alex Smith, goalkeeper for Southwell City has been chosen to represent England in the Deaf Football World Cup which will be held in Malaysia

A goalkeeper who plays for an area football club has been selected to represent the England Deaf Team.

Alex Smith will compete in the fourth world deaf football championships later this year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Smith, who plays for United Counties League Division One team Southwell City has played in goals since he was nine and said he was looking forward to the world cup tournament.

"When I play football, it's a different part of my life," said the keeper.

"I work as a health and safety manager and it is completely separate from my football.

"It's a release from my work week and it allows me to switch off."

"I started playing football when I was very young.

"My late grandfather who passed away earlier this year got me into it.

"He was a big influencer on my life and how I play football.

"I started as a midfielder.

"Our goalkeeper got injured and I got put into goal.

"From there I kept playing goalkeeper.

"About three or four years ago I was playing for Dunkirk against the English deaf captain Jamie Clarke.

"He approached me after the match and asked if I would be interested in going down to train.

"I've been training for the world cup for the last year."

"We call hearing football – mainstream football, I don't really play for any deaf team apart from the national side.

"There is a big difference between the two, here at Southwell I can shout at the players and we can communicate verbally.

"In deaf football, you have to rely on looking at each other more and you have to be more situationally aware.

"My main aim now is to do well at the World Cup and then focus on making the squad for the Euros next year.

"I want to keep going.

"I am enjoying my football at the moment and that is important to me.

"Playing at Southwell is great, we are like a big family here."

A spokesman for Southwell City said they were incredibly proud of their goalkeeper.