DORCHESTER Town boss Steve Thompson “thoroughly enjoyed” playing a part in England’s retention of the Seniors’ World Cup in Thailand.

In his debut appearance for England Veterans, Thompson took to the field in all five games, including as a 31st-minute substitute for Peter Beagrie in England’s 4-0 final win over Scotland.

And the central midfielder, now 55, praised his side for the good atmosphere within the squad throughout the week-long tournament.

He told Echosport: “We kept the trophy and there was a bit of pressure being the new boy.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the tournament and Thailand as well – it’s the first time I’ve ever been.

“It was a great set of lads, we had a great team spirit and I think that’s one of the reasons we did so well.

“It was all in all a very good experience capped off by winning the trophy and all five games.”

During his stay in Thailand, Thompson visited local school children and donated Dorchester Town kit but admitted that football was not the country’s most popular sport.

He said: “We went to Bangkok for the first few days – it’s hectic! A lot more than Hua Hin, which is a beach resort.

“All the teams were in the same hotel and you get to meet the foreign football players. The Thai people were very welcoming, very receptive.

“It was very, very hot as well. On the hottest day it was 34 degrees. We went to the schools and we did see Thai players.

“Going to the schools there are a few sports that are above football like Thai boxing. You look up at the TV and it’s Thai boxing everywhere.

“The level of kids in Thailand is a lot lower than the level of kids

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in England, that’s to be expected, but they try and play a passing game that suits their fitness and their agility.”

England mainly escaped the infamous monsoon-like conditions in Thailand, but were hit by a torrential downpour during the 2-1 group stage win over Scotland.

Thompson said: “We had quite a lot of rain against Scotland. The last 20 minutes it would have been called off in England, there was water everywhere.

“You couldn’t play it on the ground, you just had to play it in the air.”