Martin Coyd, chairman of Wheelchair RL, has paid tribute to the England players who beat World Champions France in golden point extra time last night, to take the European Championship 28-24.

“We have had a great competition, the boys have been working hard for the past nine months,” he said.  “It’s been a wonderful event at Medway Park, I'm particularity pleased with the progress that all five nations have made. For this group of players, coaches, support staff, medics and the wonderful volunteers to be crowned European champions after a very special five days is sensational, and a great step forward for Wheelchair rugby league in Europe.”

Coyd continued, “England and France are the best two teams in the world, we haven't been near them since 2011 and the calmness of the players was fantastic. We have been supported by Brian McDermott from Leeds Rhinos  in the build-up and he said teams that stick together and play together can achieve anything.”

Coyd was doubly-emotional as his son Jack scored the try that took the final into extra time. “I watched the game as calmly as I could and I may have got a little bit emotional for a short period of time when Jack went over. it was one of those special moments to remember forever.”

The chairman also paid tribute to England captain Jack Brown who scored the winning points with his hat-trick try. “Jack Brown is a great human, he is a very humble man, he leads his team and they want to be like him; he's a special bloke and I'm thrilled for him.”

Brown added, “I can’t remember much after it but in terms of the try, I saw (brother) Harry pulled Nicolas out and I saw an opening, went for the gap and scored. Then all hell broke loose!”

All the nations now prepare for the 2017 Wheelchair RL World Cup.