On Sunday our BFC-CT adult pan-ability team took part in the next stage of the FA People’s Cup (Disability section). After winning their regional heats last month at Lancashire FA, our U16’s also took part in the next stage as they qualified automatically from last months heats due to limited teams competing.
The event took place at Goals Soccer Centre in Hull, with 7 teams competing in the adult section and 8 teams competing in the U16’s section. The U16’s team currently all attend Park Community Academy but also participate in our weekly pan-ability session. All of the participants have various disabilities such as Mild Learning Difficulties, Cerebral Palsy and Deaf.
The day started very well for both sides with the adults coming away with 2 wins from their opening two fixtures scoring a total of 11 goals! The U16’s scored 8 goals in their opening games and then faced a tough fixture vs Sheffield Wednesday which they came out 3-1 winners.
Both teams continued their fine form into the rest of the fixtures finishing top of their groups respectively, which was an outstanding achievement. The teams then faced tough fixtures in the semi-finals but came through both with 3-0 wins which sent them into the finals.
The adults faced the strongest team in the competition in the form of Hull City Tigers. The team started well, scoring in the opening couple of minutes, but were pegged back shortly after from a long range strike resulting in both teams level at half time. The BFC-CT adults then turned the game on its head scoring 3 goals within 3 minutes and went on to run out comfortable 7-1 winners.
The U16’s fixture then took place with them facing Sheffield Wednesday who they narrowly beat in the group stage. It was the opposite start from the youngsters with Wednesday scoring straight from kick-off and taking a very early lead. The young Seasiders then came back strongly scoring either side of half time to clinch the win, a wonderful achievement!
Inclusion Officer (Owen Coyle) said; ‘Well done to both the adults and U16 squads who won their Regional section of the FA People’s Cup. It’s a massive achievement but it’s a greater achievement to give these players the opportunity to play football that they may not necessarily receive outside this environment’.
The U16’s and Adults will now go on to represent Blackpool FC Community Trust at National finals of the FA People’s Cup on Sunday 20th March in Sheffield.
