New international's England dream

Farsley AFC’s Adam Priestley is 'desperate' for tiny Gibraltar to draw Engand in the next European Championships after the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League striker played a pivotal role in the debut of the youngest international side in world football, writes Mark Rawlinson.

The British Overseas Territory, with a population of 30,000, was accepted into UEFA in May, 16 years after first applying. Last Tuesday Priestley, pictured, helped his new international team-mates secure a highly credible 0-0 draw in their first match against a Slovakian side that reached the last 16 in the 2010 World Cup.

Priestley, who was back home by Saturday to score a first half goal as Farsley beat Salford City 4-2 away in First Division North, says it will be a dream come true if they draw England when next February’s draw takes place.

Gibraltar already set to play two more friendlies against Estonia next year and he said: "The date for the Euro qualifiers is in my diary already! All the lads are praying that we draw England. That’s the team everyone wants so hopefully we’ll get drawn with them. We’ve got a few more friendlies coming up over March and May time next year so fingers crossed I can keep doing well for Farsley and get myself in the squad again."

The 23-year-old also admitted this week that it was a surreal moment when he stepped out onto the pitch in Gibraltar’s first international friendly. "It was an unbelievable feeling and was like nothing I could have ever imagined stepping out ahead of the match," said the striker. “When I first went over, I wasn’t expecting to start because they’ve got a star striker over there. When I got told I was starting I was made up and to play in their first ever international game was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"It was quite crazy to come away with a draw because we didn’t know what to expect going into the match. They did have some big names missing from their squad but the fact that they’re all full time professional players, and we’ve only got one in our whole squad, was credit to the lads on how hard they worked."

Priestley was also delighted with his goal on his return and says he is now focussed on a busy run of fixtures as fourth placed Farsley head towards the festive season in a play-off spot.

He added: "Neil Parsley [Farsley manager] said to me before the Salford game that if I could repeat my performance from the Doodson Sports Cup match at Goole, which was the last one I played in before I left, then I’ll bring a lot to the team. I thought I did well against Salford and obviously it was nice to get myself on the score sheet and another three points for the team."