RYAN Siddall looks forward to putting on his football boots and joining his team mates on the pitch.

And this month he has been even more excited, as the youngsters gave reached the final of a national five-a-side competition.

The 16-year-old, who underwent a kidney transplant in 2006, using an organ donated by his dad Ian, has been playing for Bradford Disability Football Club for three years.

Last year the Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College pupil, who plays centre back, l was awarded player of the year.

“He enjoys taking part and being a member of a small team,” says mum Rose. “They are a great team and have played in quite a few tournaments. It is great to see all the players mixing. It is great fun and helps to build confidence.”

Based at Bradford College’s Trinity Green site in Little Horton Road, the club was formed 16 years ago by Paul Squires, whose son Alex, 32, has Down syndrome.

It now has around 120 members aged between six and 60, with a wide range of disabilities including Down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy, amputees and hearing and visually impaired players. “Anyone can come along,” says head coach Paul Jubb. “It is not only about taking part in sport, it is about making friends and building confidence. The kids love what they do and the under 16s have done brilliantly to get this far.”

Ability banding ensures that players are with others of similar capabilities.

“In mainstream football people with disabilities often feel excluded, but here they can play with others who have the same type of disability and who understand it. Parents also get chance to meet and talk to other parents.”

Called ‘pan-disability’ football, there are opportunities to take part informally in turn-up-and-play sessions through to more formal team and competition-based football. In England more than 2000 affiliated disability teams play across 36 county pan-disability football leagues.

In Bradford there are 12 teams, eight adult and four junior playing in the West Riding County FA Disability League. The under 16 five-a-side team has this year reached the final of the Football Association People’s Cup which will take place on Sunday (APRIL 30).

To reach the final the youngsters have played all over the country, at venues including Manchester, Swindon and Birmingham.

Other teams have travelled to play in tournaments in Northern Ireland. Foreign exchange trips are made to Bradford’s twin town Hamm in Germany and to Holland, where there are links to a local football club.

Carole Shields' son Rhys, 14, is also in the team travelling to Birmingham. “He has made so many friends and is much more confident now,” she says. “The coaches are fantastic.”

The Tong High School pupil suffers from hypophosphatasia, a disorder which affects the development of bones.

Bradley Toll, of Wilsden, he has been a member of the football club for five years now. He plays in goal and loves it.

“I am very good and save all the goals,” says the 16-year-old. “I like playing with my friends and it keeps me fit.”

Diagnosed as having autism with learning difficulties, Bradley, who attends Parkside School in Cullingworth, can have difficulty communicating with other people and making friends.

Being a club member has helped him in numerous ways. He has made more friends and he helps with team building

Says dad Howard: “We as parents are involved by helping to provide refreshments such as tea and coffee, mainly for the parents and carers who come along. I also help by taking photographs at the tournaments and other competitions in which the club is involved.”

Howard’s images are posted on the Bradford Disability Football Club’s Facebook page.

The players sometimes play 11-a-side matches, though the majority of games are seven or five-a-side.

“It is ability-led,” says Paul Squires, “One player, Duncan Eastwood, has difficulty standing without the use of sticks. In five-a-side, the goal is smaller and Duncan can keep goal on his knees.”

One of the adult teams also reached the People’s Cup final two years ago.

As well as football, the club organises events such as barbecues, days out and an annual Christmas party for its members.

The club receives no funding other than that they raise themselves. Their kit is sponsored by McDonald’s restaurants at Forster Square and Thornbury.

“We have a lot of individuals and local businesses who contribute and people who put in a lot of effort,” says Paul Squires, who as chairman is still very much involved. Alex, now 32, continues to play. “There are a lot of disabled people living in Bradford, and clubs like this one are greatly needed.”

Paul was encouraged to set up the club by Andy Parkin, of the charity Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure. “They have a range of sporting activities for disabled people, but were short of a football activity,” says Paul. “I was involved with school sport and had quite a lot of contacts among parents, so he asked me to see if I could start one. At the beginning there were between eight and ten players.

“We could not have imagined how much it would grow.”

*For more information visit disabilityfootball.co.uk/Bradforddfc.html or visit the club’s Facebook page. To contact Paul Squires ring 01274 590387.

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