Albion in the Community looking to recruit new players to join its disability-specific football teams

Albion in the Community runs four teams that compete in national league and cup competitions.

:They are Brighton and Hove Albion Amputee FC, Brighton and Hove Albion Cerebral Palsy FC, Brighton and Hove Albion Deaf FC and Brighton and Hove Albion Powerchair FC.

BHAPFC also has a development squad which plays in the South East Powerchair League – a competition they have won for the last three seasons.

The first three teams train weekly at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre in Lancing, where they also play their home matches.

BHAPFC train on an indoor powerchair court in Littlehampton and play its Muscular Dystrophy UK Premiership fixtures in Nottingham and regional games at venues across the south east.

Participation in one of the four teams presents a great chance for players with a disability to play football at a competitive level.

Paul Brackley, AITC’s disability manager, said: “As a charity we now run more than 30 regular football sessions for people with a disability, which are attended by around 300 people each fortnight.

“Many of these offer a fantastic entry to the sport and give people the chance to enjoy playing football, meet new friends and develop their skills in a safe, structured and fun environment.

“It is important, however, that as well as providing people with the benefits of playing social, grassroots-level football, we also give people the opportunity to progress within the sport.

“Each of our disability-specific teams play at a national level of competition and in the last year we have seen a number of our players receive call-ups to national teams, which is something everyone at AITC is incredibly proud of.

“We would now love to give more people with a disability the chance to play competitively and be part of one of our teams.

“It doesn’t matter if they have never played before – our sessions were the first time many of our players had tried football.

“If you have a disability and would like to give football a go, get in touch and we’ll help identify the most-suitable session for you.”

Each of the disability-specific teams play in adult competitions, meaning the lower age-limit for players is 16.

However, AITC does also have a growing number of disability-specific sessions that are aimed at junior players.

You can email disability@albioninthecommunity.org.uk