England boss aims to raise Down's syndrome awareness

"There are a lot of emotions attached to it," explains England's Under-21s football coach Lee Carsley.

The former Derby County player's son Connor, now 26, was just a few days old when he was diagnosed with Down's syndrome.

Carsley has returned to the club, along with former teammates, to raise money and awareness for Derby County Community Trust's DS Active football team for players with the condition.

The midfielder played more than 130 times for the Rams and his son plays in an adult football group, which he says provides a "sense of community and belonging he really values".

Carsley, who also played for Everton and was the England senior team's interim head coach in 2024, was playing for the Rams when Connor was born, and said it was "a club that was really close to our hearts".

Carsley, a former Republic of Ireland international, added his son was doing well and "in a good space".

"It is daunting when you get the news," he added. "It is not clear-cut. There are a lot of unknowns.

"Being involved with a group and other parents going through something similar has really helped the support we have got."

He said they found out about Connor's condition two or three days after he was born.

"There are a lot of emotions attached to it," he added. "There is euphoria because you have had a baby. There is a bit of sorrow because you are unsure about the future.

"So the more awareness we can [not only] raise around physically having a baby with a disability, but the emotions that go with that, and support we can put around parents and families, is so important.

"Connor has so much love and so much positivity.

"He has definitely enriched our lives.

"He's turned out to be a really good kid. He loves watching the football, he loves a pint."

Paul Newman, head of community at Derby County Community Trust, said it meant a lot to have Carsley's support.

He said: "It's fantastic to have someone of his profile really understand what the programme is about.

"Obviously, with his child, there is that real empathy and understanding."

Mr Newman said the DS Active team had "a joyous bunch of players that enjoy being together, enjoy playing and participating".

"It has become one of our flagship programmes over the years," he added.

He said the money raised would help to fund enrichment activities, and get the team "out and about", like playing at other clubs.

The Talk Derby to Me podcast and fan Q&A with Lee Carsley, Dean Sturridge and Paul Williams will take place at Becketwell Arena, in Derby, on 11 April.

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