Sunderland AFC FIFA Ultimate Quaran-Team player reveals the important role Jordan Willis played in helping get him on board

Sunderland representative Dan (left) coaching one of his FUTWIZ players at a FIFA event.

The Black Cats will be facing Dutch outfit Fortuna Sittard in the e-sports tournament that has taken the footballing world by storm in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The FIFA video-game competition is the brainchild of Leyton Orient’s media team, who called for participants following the suspension of professional football.

Sunderland became one of the 128 participants but they needed a representative. And thanks to one of their first-team defenders, they were able to secure the signing of Sunderland fan and FUTWIZ co-founder Dan on board.

Sunderland AFC Ultimate Quaran-Team representative Dan from FUTWIZ.

“Through my job, I often get talking to professional footballers about FIFA,” Dan told the Echo.

“I’d spoken to Jordan Willis in the past and he messaged asking if I was interested in representing Sunderland as his pick.

“I was already keeping a close eye on the tournament as two of the professional players I manage have been participating but I wasn’t expecting to be involved myself!

“Despite my association with FUTWIZ, I’m not actually a professional player, which has raised expectations somewhat but it’s all part of the fun!”

The first round of the competition saw Sunderland beat Birmingham City 2-0 thanks to a virtual Lyndon Gooch brace.

Dan admitted: “I was incredibly nervous going into the game!

“It’s one thing playing in a tournament for yourself, but another thing when you’re going into a game with loads of fans cheering you on and sending you messages of support – I didn’t want to let them down!

“Obviously every kid dreams of representing the football club they support, although a career as a footballer was never on the cards for me this surely has to be one of the next best things!”

Discussing Wednesday night’s opponent, Dan continued: “I’m up against a professional for Fortuna Sittard Esports, he plays in their domestic league [The eDivisie] and is ranked top 15 in his country on PS4 so he’s going into it as a massive favourite. However, it’s one leg of FIFA playing an unfamiliar mode so anything can happen!”