The Disability Football section was set up in December 2005 by Daniel Rogers. The initial aim was to provide more opportunities for people with disabilities to play football as few existed in the area. With the support of Coach, Anthony Roche, we started with only 5 players. Over the past 5 years we have seen Disability football grow, not only within the club but across Hertfordshire.

Now in 2011 the Club has moved from strength to strength and we now have 4 teams playing in 3 leagues across 3 counties. In addition to this we coach in disability schools, colleges and day care centres across the district of St Albans.

We have two teams competing in the Premier and Championship Divisions of the Middlesex 5 a-side league.

We have a team in the Hertfordshire Inclusive Football league, where other disability football clubs from the Hertfordshire area play against each other.

More recently we have entered the Surrey 7 a-side League where we have a team in the Premier Division where we play teams like Chelsea.

Disability football has been growing in the UK for 10 years and the Club has been one of the founders of disability football in Hertfordshire. There is now a clear player pathway to disability England squads. The disability team at City Youth has been working with key partners in the community not only to provide a chance to play football, also to train more disability coaches and place them in community projects running in St. Albans.

Last year we took over the responsibility for football training and matches from Special Olympics and this is another pathway for people with special needs to have fun and progress to a level where they can represent their country.

Disability training takes place on Friday evenings at Highfield Park Sports Centre at 7.30pm. Please come along as Taster sessions are free.

Dan Rogers

Special Needs Section

The Disability Section would like to thank the following organisations and community groups for their support:

Hertfordshire County Council – Aiming High Training Programme

The Herts Sports Partnership, O2, Hertfordshire Police, St. Albans Special Olympics, Active St. Albans, Hertfordshire F.A, Sport Relief