The award-winning Head Coach of Bradford Disability Football Club (BDFC), Paul Jubb, is to attend this weekend's BBC Sports Personality of the Year evening.
The star-studded event will take place this year in Northern Ireland at the sold-out Belfast SSE Arena this Sunday (20 December 2015).
Paul has been chosen to the attend the awards evening after winning the BBC Sport Unsung Hero award for the Yorkshire region. He will go up against the 14 other regional winners for the main national BBC Unsung Hero of the Year Award presented on the night.
“It would be great for Paul to win the overall award, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. It’s not about winning - the fact he has been nominated and the club has been recognised is fantastic.”
“Instead of going to get a pie or a pint, supporters tend to stay out and watch the disability club on the pitch, cheering them on. That’s very encouraging for the players - they have a great time.
“The players get to go on the pitch at half-time at Valley Parade two or three times a year, and the fans like that.
“They play in a disability league but it’s more than just football as they go away on trips all the time. In all, they get to do all the things a normal footballer would - probably more, in fact!
He said: “The players come to the club and feel welcomed, and are able to enjoy themselves, being part of a group that’s very inclusive and very friendly. All the parents get on and the atmosphere is brilliant.
Former City striker Ian Ormondroyd - now the club's Community Foundation manager - reserved praise for head coach Jubb and believes the Bantams are proud of their disability club.
Now in its 13th year, the BBC Sport Get Inspired Unsung Hero award celebrates people from around the UK who volunteer their time and effort in encouraging the talents of others, and whose work enables local clubs and groups to thrive and flourish.
Paul (pictured middle) was presented with his regional award live on BBC Look North towards the end of last month when he was surprised by presenter Harry Gration as the winner having believed he was one of four nominees to be shown on the show!
BDFC was founded in 2002 with an initial grant of £1,000 and 8 players, it has over 135 members aged from 6 to 60 and is growing in its profile and its membership every year.
There are three training sessions each week, two at Trinity College in Bradford and the third at the new session founded last year at UAK in Keighley. The club has 11 pan disability teams, 9 adult teams and junior teams both under 16’s and 13’s, all of the adult teams participate in the ability counts leagues in the West Riding County FA.
For further information about the club please visit our website www.bradforddfc.co.uk