Jonny James has just returned home after helping England to three victories in Brazil.

The 26-year-old Milton United defender enjoyed considerably more success than Roy Hodgson and his team when competing for England in the Budweiser Sixes Global finals in Rio de Janeiro.

James, from Didcot, won through to the England amateur XI after a series of trials plus an appearance at Wembley in April.

With former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour as manager, England beat Brazil 5-2, Guatemala 6-2 and Ukraine 2-0 in their group games to reach the semi-finals of this eight-strong tournament.

There they drew 0-0 with Argentina, before losing 2-1 on penalties. Argentina lost to Colombia in the final.

“I learned such a lot out there from Ray Parlour and others that I hope the experience has boosted my career,” said James, who has trained with Conference North side Oxford City.

“It was the experience of a lifetime,” added James, who attended the World Cup quarter-final between Germany and France in Rio and met the likes of Edgar Davids and Rio Ferdinand.

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