Another successful campaign for Wolves Disability FC was officially rounded off with the end-of-season celebration night featuring over 200 guests at Molineux.
Players from the eight different teams - three at adult level, three at Under-16s and two at Under-12s – were joined by their families for the annual event including presentations linked to performances and application over the season.
Once again, it was another example of the continuing growth of the Disability set-up from when the club first set out with barely a handful of players just over a decade ago.
“It was another great night, looking back on the season and giving out all the different awards,” said Gavin Jones, Wolves Foundation’s long-serving community and cohesion officer who oversees the Disability football programme.
“Because our adult and junior teams play at different times, they are only ever together at the Play on the Pitch event so to have anyone in the same room being able to chat and mingle together shows us exactly what it’s all about.
“It was a great end to another good season, during which one of our adult teams won the league, one of our Under-16 teams reached a cup final, and we had another fantastic half time fixture at Molineux against Sheffield United.
“Beyond that though, as well as being competitive it’s also about inclusion, and to see so many of our players enjoying the chance to go out and play football is always a highlight.”
The club have been hugely appreciative this season of sponsorship support provided by Nuffield Health, on top of their own fundraising which has reached £8,000, with several players recognised for their own fundraising by receiving signed Wolves goodies at the presentation.
There was also a surprise element for Gavin himself, when, at the start of the evening, he received his own award for Outstanding Achievement, presented by community and cohesion manager Luke Shearing and fully deserved.
“They stitched me up,” Gavin laughs.
“I had no idea it was coming and, while it’s not something I ever chase, it was really nice and left me choked up if I’m honest.
“It was a great start to the evening which continued with adding another £1,000 to that fundraising which will all be used to help the growth and development of the club.”
The eight teams will continue to play in the Staffordshire Ability Counts League next season, before which there are two pre-season tournaments for the Under-16s, one at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground and another at the Nest, Norwich Foundation’s Community Hub.
In the meantime, Monday evening sessions, which also act either purely for participation or as a pathway for prospective players, will continue at the City of Wolverhampton College’s Bilston Campus on Wellington Road.
Very soon though, the next season will come around with fixtures played at different locations across the year, including St George’s Park.
“We’ll be ready to go again,” Gavin concludes.
Anyone interested in playing or finding out more about Wolves Disability FC can email gavinjones@wolves.co.uk
As well as Nuffield Health, Wolves Foundation would also like to thank companies who donated raffle prizes for the presentation event, including Jardine Motors, Porsche Wolverhampton, the Grand Theatre, Lower Drayton Farm, Ninja Warrior Walsall, West Midlands Safari Park and Monkey Forest at Trentham.
