One of the huge highlights of Wolves Foundation’s Annual Focus Fixture – the half time fixture featuring Wolves Disability FC – is back again for this Sunday’s game against Sheffield United.
Wolves Disability Under-16s will take on their counterparts from Sheffield United, following on from some fantastic fixtures enjoyed by the Molineux crowds in recent years.
Previous games against Cardiff, Aston Villa, Norwich and Chelsea have been both eagerly anticipated and savoured by all involved – and this weekend is expected to be no different.
“We have now been running Disability football with the Foundation for over 10 years, and in recent years in particular it has gone from strength to strength,” says Gavin Jones, community and cohesion officer with the Foundation who now oversees the Disability FC set-up.
“The first game we played at half time, against Cardiff back in 2019, produced such a fantastic response from the fans and it’s been great to see the increased interest which has followed as a result.
“The different teams put in a great amount of work in training and fixtures during the season, but this is always a big highlight for those who get to play at Molineux.
“Hopefully it will be another great spectacle on Sunday and another fantastic opportunity to showcase a really important part of the Foundation’s work.”
Wolves Disability FC continue to operate a total of eight teams across three different age groups – adults, Under-16s and Under-12s – with weekly training sessions and regular fixtures in the Staffordshire FA Ability Counts League.
Earlier this week the Disability FC set-up were delighted to announce a new sponsorship being provided by Nuffield Health, the UK’s largest healthcare charity. This will prove a major show of support for the club moving forward.
A couple of Disability FC players who have previously featured in the half time fixture have no doubt just what it will mean to players from players of both sides when they take to the pitch on Sunday.
“What an experience!” reflects Darren James, who captained the team against Norwich at the end of the 2021/22 season.
“I still remember the goosebumps and the hairs standing up on the back of my neck when stepping out on the pitch and hearing the crowd singing.
“That is something that will stick with me forever.
“I remember a couple of minutes into the game and just having time to think and realise that the fans were singing songs for us – it made me quite emotional to be honest.
“Even now, I sometimes find myself looking back at old social media posts from people I don’t know talking about that game and the disability team – Wolves fans are the best fans in the world as far as I am concerned!
“They enjoyed it and they got behind us and I think they can see the club has depth. It’s not just the men’s first team but also the women’s team, the different age groups and us with Wolves Disability.
“There are opportunities for everyone and this was one opportunity I would never have got if it wasn’t for Wolves Foundation.”
Last year’s Focus Fixture saw Wolves Under-16s take on Chelsea, an experience made even better for midfielder Cameron when he notched the winning goal!
“When we were walking onto the pitch I had butterflies in my stomach, but I was also very happy and excited,” Cameron recalls.
“It was nice to play on the Molineux pitch and even more amazing to score the winning goal.
“I like to think I play more of a Mario Lemina role going from box to box so to be able to actually get forward and score was a really nice surprise!
“It was great that the fans were so interested in what we were doing and I can remember they made a lot of noise.
“Without the Disability team I would never have had the chance to step on the Molineux pitch - I am so glad to have Wolves Foundation and be able to play football here.
“I have also been able to play at the training ground at Compton and St George’s Park which also makes me really happy.”
Sunday provides another opportunity to create more magical moments for all the young players involved – stay in your seats to watch at half time!
