A DISABLED youth football team have played their first ever game against a rival disabled team.
Youngsters from Gainsborough Ability Counts F.C. went head-to-head with Lincoln Invictus Inclusive Football Club for the friendly match at Rustons Sports Club in Lincoln in the East Midlands last month.
The team was established by parents of disabled children who are aged between 7 and 13-years-old and have disabilities including cerebral palsy.
Some players on the team use frames, whilst other have learning disabilities, such as autism and ADHD.
Amazing footage shows the two sides competing against each other as their proud parents watched on.
Unfortunately, the team lost 6-4 against the other team, however the youngsters still had a great time and are buzzing for their next match.
Gainsborough Ability Counts’ player of the week trophy was awarded to seven-year-old James Smith who has cerebral palsy.
Gemma Burrows, 38, team coach and mother to player Zac, today said “The team was put together by a few parents who’s disabled children loved football who would never cope within a main stream club/team.
“Anyone who has a physical, learning, mental disability is able to play for us.
“We have been established around 5-6 years, moved around but have been taken on now by Gainsborough Trinity Community Football Club, who are looking to get us on our feet.
“We have waited four years to play a friendly.
“On the day of the match we arrived at Lincoln Invictus, the team were buzzing.
“The day they had waited for for so long was here, lots of screams and whooping was happening.
“Kick off happened, we played really really well, held our own to say we have never played in a friendly before and in the format of positions. This was all new to them.
“We lost 6-4 but the smiles on their faces…Wow.”
The goal scorers included Gemma’s son, 10-year-old Zac, who scored two goals and fellow player Arron Walker, aged twelve, who scored the other two.
Gemma added: “Zac was just so emotional and really wanted to play well and score all the goals, he is ball greedy.
“The team are such the best of friends, and it was hugs and cheers all round even though the score wasn’t what they wanted.
“The whole experience for the kids and us as parents was amazing. Seeing them play and how much they had improved over a few weeks with training, and learning positions and who needs to be where, lots of shouting and pointing was happening in the game.
“That night will stay with me forever.
“I want to keep what we have going and expand with it so all children have the chance to fit in and do the sport they love.
“I am still waiting to take over properly, but as a parent who has no idea on football and rules it’s been a long few weeks of studying.
“The plan for the team is to push forward as much as we can and try and get more friendlies against other disability teams, and then next season we plan to enter the East Midlands Pan Disability League.”
Gainsborough Ability Counts F.C. have arranged another friendly against Lincoln Invictus Inclusive Football Club this Sunday.
