Bradford Disability Football Club (Bradford Disability F.C)
. StoresMcDonaldshave secured an exciting sponsorship with three local Bradford-based
What’s made it even more amazing is that this deal only got off the ground through the continued efforts of one of the teams players!
Matthew Groves-Hemmingway (pictured at the bottom of the article) suffers from learning difficulties and cannot engage in conversation with people. Through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, however, he has been able to overcome this and has contacted a number of local businesses to raise a sponsor for the club.
, also known as ‘Big Stix’ for those who listen to Pulse Sport on match-days.former Bantams striker Ian OrmondroydBradford Disability Football club was founded in 2002 with an initial grant of £1,000 and 8 players. It now has over 80 members aged from 6 to 60 including City’s Wembley Mascot, Jake Turton. The club is a part of the Bradford City FC Community Foundation and the club chairman is
It really shows the value the disability club adds to the community and its players when they come together in this way to support the team. We are all very proud of Matty and excited to welcome McDonalds as a sponsor!” Ormondroyd said “The club has been running nearly 12 years and it has grown from 8 to 80 players.
This Sunday the club will be doing a bucket collection ahead of City's Sky Bet League 1 fixture at to Tranmere Rovers. Two teams from Bradford Disability FC will also be playing on the pitch during the half time interval of the Tranmere match.
.Bradford Disability F.C or liking their page on Facebook - @bfddisabilityfc could donate towards the club on Sunday or just show your support and help raise their profile by following them on twitter If possible, it would be brilliant if City supporters
Who are Bradford Disability Football Club (BDFC)?
The juniors have short break trips each year and have taken on Premiership teams such as Chelsea and Manchester Utd. The teams have played internationally in Germany and Holland, with two of the teams players being called up to play for the Mencap England squad in Switzerland earlier this year. The adult teams participate in the West Riding Ability Counts League and North West League, playing other disability teams including Leeds, Pontefract, Everton and Liverpool. The club provides twice weekly football training sessions for now over 80 members of a range of disabilities and players are aged from 6 to 60.
The club is a family to many, it provides more than access to football, it is fair to say that the club has made a real difference to the lives of the players, given them independence helped develop their social skills, interact as a team and encourage participation in new activities. It offers respite to parents/carers but many get involved as volunteers and support the regular activities such taking players to home and away games, including a coach to Wembley, twice!
Matthew Groves-Hemmingway
Pictures kindly provided by Claire Epton