CHESHAM United footballer Brad Wadkins admits he has been living the dream after representing England in the EuroMINI six-a-side tournament in Croatia.


The former Wycombe Wanderers schoolboy was part of the Three Lions side which went out on penalties to Hungary in the last 16.


He said: “You always dream of playing for your country and I think the only thing that would ever top this would be if a professional club came in for me.


“I know I am really lucky to have had the chance and I can’t wait for the next opportunity now.


“It’s pretty surreal to be able to say I have played for England. It is not something I ever thought would happen to me.


“It was totally different from what I’m used to, singing the National Anthem and having my name on the back of my shirt.”


“My manager (Andy Leese) at Chesham wasn’t too keen on me going because it meant I would be missing three games but the opportunity to play for your country is not something that comes around too often and there was no way I was turning it down and he understood that it was an honour for me.”
And after four matches at the Euros, Wadkins still boasts as unbeaten record at the tournament.


He got the assist as England came from two goals behind to beat Portugal 3-2 in their opening game. The second game was a goalless stalemate with Slovakia which left England needing a point to make the knockout stages.


They were up against it when they trailed Slovakia 1-0 but secured their place in the next stage with an equaliser to set up a last 16-tie against Hungary.


After the regulation 40 minutes the game was still deadlocked at 0-0. Wadkins scored his spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out but his side went out on penalties as all England sides seem to do in international tournaments.


He said: “It was disappointing to go out because we dominated Hungary but their goalkeeper had a very good game.”


The Watford-born 22-year-old has now returned to his normal life working for Network Rail in his home town.


He said: “It was amazing being away with England, everything is done for you.


“It was a wicked experience. Everyone wants to represent their country at a tournament and I have done it.


“I’ve taken a bit of banter off the lads at Chesham since coming back, they’ve given me some stick, but deep down I think they are impressed.”


Wadkins got the chance after being spotted playing in a major six-a-side tournament in Birmingham in the summer.


That led to him being invited to play in the UK Nations tournament where he secured his place for the EuroMINI tournament in the Balkans.