The head of the Royal National College for the Blind's football academy replaces Graham Keeley, who left the role in the summer after a poor show at the European Championship, but his appointment came just days before UK Sport announced plans to scrap all Government financial support for the squad.

Liz Nicholl, chief executive of UK Sport, claimed the team had failed to meet "mutually agreed targets", however, the Football Association has said it will meet with the body next month to discuss the issue.

Pugh previously worked under England and Great Britain blind football team head coach Tony Larkin, who was axed after 17 years in the role following the London 2012 Paralympics, where Britain finished a disappointing seventh out of eight teams.

Britain finished seventh out of eight teams at London 2012 ©Getty Images


But, prior to that, the pair had led England to a fourth place finish at the 2010 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) World Championship in the United Kingdom and third at the 2011 European Championship in Turkey.

It is hoped Pugh's appointment will help boost the team after they failed to secure a berth for the 2014 World Championship in Japan.

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