Jersey over-50s walking footballers are European champions after beating England on penalties.

The island side finished second in the group stage with a win against the hosts Spain, before beating France in the semi-final. Luke Heynes scored the island's only goal in the final that ended in a 1-1 draw and after a goalless extra time it was decided from the penalty spot.

Manager Jean-Luc Desbois called it a "seismic" win against England's Over 50's.

"They've won every major tournament they've entered in the last four years so for us to overcome them all be it on penalties in a tough very, very close match I think we got our just desserts and I think we thoroughly deserved it," he said.

After being crowned continental champions the side's next ambition is to win the World nations Cup in Paris next year. Twenty nations took part in Spain 2023 where Jersey finished third out of eight in the group stage.

"I think all players and anybody associated with our walking footballers will know now that actually anything's possible and we should go in with full confidence," said Desbois.

Luke Haynes, who was awarded Player of the Tournament, said: "Coming up against some ex-professionals playing for some of these big nations and not only matching them but ending up on the right side of it you know it can't be overstated."

The sport was originally set up to help those recovering from serious illnesses but Haynes said the sport also gave a pathway for older players to continue their football careers.

"It's been a fantastic transition," he said.

"I still do play 11-a-side, or try to, but walking football is perhaps now going to be part of that pathway that you follow as a footballer from junior football grassroots right the way through.

"There were 80-year-olds playing in Spain and what a great way to continue playing all through your life".