Para Lion Dylan Malpas retires from football

Dylan Malpas, who won 130 caps in total for the Para Lions, has retired from football.

He played for both the England men’s Blind team and the Partially Sighted team, earning 85 caps for the Blind squad and a further 30 caps for the Partially Sighted squad.

Dylan represented the Para Lions at a number of tournaments, winning trophies and medals, having a huge impact on the Para game.

Those include the World Championships (2018 and 2023 with the Blind team; 2017 with the PS team), European Championships (2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2026 with the Blind team; 2014, 2016 and 2018 with the PS team), World Games (2015 with the Blind team; 2019 with the PS team), World Grand Prix (2018, 2019, 2023 with the Blind team) and the Nations Cup (2025 with the Blind team).

The goalkeeper won gold at the Nations Cup, three bronze medals and a silver medal at the EUROs and silver at the World Games with the men’s Blind team.

Birmingham-born Dylan – also a teacher of sport at the Royal National College for the Blind – won individual accolades, including the Best Goalkeeper in the World (2018) and twice being named Best Goalkeeper in Europe (2019, 2022).

“The time has come for me to retire from playing,” wrote Dylan, announcing his retirement on social media.

“From a young child with a dream of becoming a goalkeeper, to representing my country, it has been the greatest honour of my life.

“To every player and member of staff, past and present, thank you for the memories, friendships and moments we’ve shared along the way.

“130 senior caps. England’s record cap holder as a goalkeeper. Six Golden Gloves. Bronze, silver and gold medallist.

“A journey I’ll always look back on with immense pride and gratitude.

“To my family, thank you for every sacrifice, every bit of support and for being there through all the highs and lows. I couldn’t have done it without you.

“And to everyone who has supported me throughout my career, thank you. It has meant more than you’ll ever know.

“One chapter closes, another begins. I’m excited for the next chapter.”

“On behalf of everyone involved in England Para Football, I want to thank Dylan for the outstanding contribution he has made throughout his career,” said Catherine Gilby, the FA’s Head of Para Performance.

“His achievements on the pitch speak for themselves, but his impact goes far beyond the medals, caps and individual accolades. Dylan has been an important part of the continued growth and evolution of Para Football, representing England with enormous passion and helping to raise the standards and profile of our game.

“He should be incredibly proud of everything he has achieved, and we are hugely grateful for everything he has given to the Para programme.

“We wish him every success in the next chapter and look forward to recognising his career at the Para Football Awards in December.”