Michael Owen has probably never been so vulnerable. As the cameras start rolling in his living room, the former England striker explains how he used to criticise his son, James, for not looking at the camera when pictures were being taken.
Owen could not understand why his son’s eyes would not focus properly. Then there were the football matches. James was a talented player during his childhood but there would be times when his dad was left questioning why he would not take up the right positions or put pressure on the ball.
The answers came when James was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease at the age of eight.
Stargardt is a rare genetic condition which occurs when fatty material builds up on the macula – the small part of the retina needed for sharp, central vision. There is currently no cure.
Owen and his son tell their story in an emotional documentary – Football is for Everyone – which premieres on TNT Sports on Tuesday night.
Michael Owen and his son James are hoping to raise awareness of Stargardt’s and other eye conditions through their new documentary Football is For Everyone
The pair have opened up on the challenges of James’ diagnosis with Stargardt’s disease
James continues to adjust to living with the condition – which has left him ‘clinically blind’ with the support of his family (centre – mother Louise and eldest sister Gemma)
The programme, which they present, delves into the world of sight loss and football and provides an intimate and inspiring look at the England Partially Sighted Futsal Team as they geared up for the 2023 IBSA World Games (known as the World Cup).
The documentary starts with Michael and James, now 17, playing football in the garden. James is clinically blind but still has some peripheral vision – so he can still take shots at his dad. But his dream of becoming a professional footballer ended following his diagnosis.
What James did not realise, and what the documentary aims to shine a light on, is that playing football with conditions like Stargardt’s is still possible.
The documentary, though, is not just about the Owens. At the heart of the show is England’s journey to the final of the World Cup and the team members who take them there.
James and Michael are introduced to Steve Daley, the manager of England’s partially sighted futsal team, at Lilleshall – the FA’s old ‘School of Excellence’ which Owen attended during his youth.
After some reminiscing and a tour of Michael’s old room, the pair sit down with Daley to discuss his role with England. It quickly becomes clear that Daley, who previously played for the Three Lions’ partially sighted team himself, is a passionate coach who means business.
The next time Michael and James meet Daley is at a training camp at St George’s Park. James is invited to take part in a session and quickly realises how impressive the level is.
It is also the first time he has met people with the same disease or similar eyesight conditions to him.
The likes of Jake Heasman, Adam Lione and Doug Pratt will not be familiar with the average viewer but by the end of the documentary it is as if you have got to know them personally.
Each of the players and their families open up on their own journeys as England progress through the tournament. The standard of play is remarkably impressive and James, who watches on from the stands, clearly gets swept up in the thrill of the ride.
The documentary does a fantastic job of blending emotion with positivity and a can-do attitude. By his own admission, Michael takes the positives from every situation and believes James’ condition means they are even close as father and son. James, meanwhile, comes across as an intelligent young man who takes after his dad when it comes to having a can-do attitude.
The documentary is equalled focused on their father-son relationship as England’s Partially Sighted Futsal team’s progress at the World Cup
The pair are treated to a tour around Lilleshall before travelling to watch the team at St George’s Park
While the pair bravely open up on their own journey, they ensure that the limelight is as much on the England team as it is on them.
‘Football is for Everyone’ starring Michael and James Owen premieres on TNT Sports 1 at 11pm on 30th January. Sign up to TNT Sports and discovery+ here
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