An ex-Wigan teacher is to receive a royal honour for coaching the country's amputee football team to international success
A former Wigan PE teacher who became coach of England's amputee football team is celebrating royal recognition.
For Scott Rogers will later this year be heading to a glittering ceremony in Liverpool to receive a British Empire Medal after being named in King Charles’s birthday honours.
The one-time PE teacher at Orrell St John Rigby College and Academy coach at both Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers is receiving the coveted prize for services to disability sport.
The award recognises his time as head coach of the England Amputee Football Team and his contribution to the development of amputee football over many years.
Under his leadership the team won its first major trophy in 34 years when it beat Spain, Poland and the all-conquering Turkey to win the first ever Nations League in 2023 and also reached the semi-finals of the Euros last year.
That was Scott’s swansong, having decided he was going to step down because he wanted to spend more time helping his young daughters Lily and Sophie who are themselves successful young footballers.
In fact it was Sophie, who plays for Liverpool and attends St Edmund Arrowsmith High School in Ashton, who nominated her dad for the BEM.
He said: “It came as a complete surprise, and I am incredibly proud to receive such an honour.
"Although the medal bears my name, it also reflects the dedication of the players, coaches, volunteers and families who have helped grow amputee football into a sport that continues to inspire people across the country.
"Throughout my time with England, I have had the privilege of working alongside remarkable athletes who challenge perceptions of disability every day.
"Together we have represented England on the international stage, proving that elite performance is defined by determination, resilience and talent – not disability.
"My time working in Wigan played an important role in my coaching journey, and I hope this recognition is something that the local community can also take pride in.
"I also hope it helps shine a light on amputee football and disability sport more widely.
"If this story encourages just one person living with limb loss or disability to get involved in sport, then it will have achieved something far beyond personal recognition.”
Scott, 48, had been coaching youngsters for 20 years when, in 2020, he decided to give up teaching to set up residential homes to help young people who need sheltered accommodation.
Then he resolved to take his coaching hobby back up and joined the England Amputee team and the end of that Covid-hit year.
The England Amputee Football Association is a charity and relies 100 per cent on donations for funding to support amputees and those with limb affecting disabilities to get involved in football from grassroots to international play.
It relies heavily on donations to fund its work and £50k is needed to get the team to the World Cup in Mexico in November. To help them out, head to their GoFundMe page.
Haydock-based Scott’s day job now is running Future Focused Care, which has 12 residential children’s homes across the North West, including several in Wigan.
But he is looking forward to his trip to Liverpool in October to receive his BEM from the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside and then attend a royal garden party next year.