Jonathan Spilsbury loves football.
And from the moment he first engaged with Wolves Foundation during PE and lunchtime activities when he was at Penn Fields School, he has been able to pursue that footballing dream.
In doing so, he has embarked on a journey through the Wolves Disability FC set-up which has seen him achieve the landmark of becoming the first ever player to represent the team through all age groups.
Now at college, Jonathan has taken Sport Leadership as one of his options, as one day he would like to work as a football coach and help other children who have needs like he does.
“It has been an absolute pleasure working with Jonathan over the last five years, and for him to become the first player to represent Wolves Disability FC in all age categories is amazing not only for Jonathan, but for the club as well,” says Gavin Jones, Inclusion Lead with Wolves Foundation.
“It is so rewarding to see the progression of Jonathan not only through his football talents, but he has matured into a fine young man who can represent Wolves Disability FC for many years to come.”
As well as engaging with the Foundation whilst at Penn Fields School, Jonathan also attended inter-schools competitions held at the charity’s Arena at Aldersley.
It was in January, 2015, at the age of 11, that he first joined Wolves Disability team, training with the Under-12 team on Sundays.
He met new friends and learnt so much from the coaches and loved having banter with them, and got to play in a mini-tournament at the Foundation Arena in Bolton, which he still talks about now.
Progression through to the Under-16 ranks followed, and in 2018, Jonathan was the proud recipient of both the Supporters and Coaches Player of the Year awards.
At the back end of last year, he was among the Wolves team which took on Aston Villa at half time of the Premier League fixture at Molineux, which he described as “one of his proudest moments ever”.
From this August, he has been training with the adult Wolves Disability FC team, completing the journey, and, for this lifelong Wolves fan, representing the team is a source of huge pride and he cannot wait to get back to playing fixtures.
“Football is Jonathan’s passion and he is always out in the garden having a kickaround, or if we go to the park he insists on taking a football with him,” says his Mum.
“Not only is he a lovely young man but is also a credit to the team at Wolves Foundation and all of the work that they do.”
