On Saturday 19th June at the London Soccer Dome, Grimsby Town Disability Football Club won the National Ability Counts Final.
Grimsby Town Disabilities Football Club, League squad became National League Champions on Saturday 19th June at the FA National Ability Counts Finals at the London Soccer Dome.
Grimsby Town Disabilities Football Club League squad had already won their domestic league title in the Lincolnshire Ability Counts League at the last tournament of the league season at Lincoln City. This meant that they were given the chance to represent Lincolnshire at the regional qualifiers in Nottingham.
Grimsby Town Disabilities Football Club League squad made some additions to the squad to represent Lincolnshire with 3 players joining from HSS (Housing Support Solutions) who also play in the Lincolnshire Ability Counts League.
GTDFC had to win the tournament at Nottingham in order to qualify for the National Finals but had to complete with established teams such as Leicester, Notts County, Derby and Northampton for a place at the National Final. The tournament was very tense with the team needing a win from their final fixture to qualify. GTDFC took this in their stride and won their last game 3-1 and became regional League winners as well as Lincolnshire league winners. Nationals here we come! The regional Qualifier had been a hard fought tournament in which on the day any one of the 5 teams could have taken the title and the qualification for the nationals, a credit to each team for the competitiveness of the event.
So on Saturday the19th June 2010, GTDFC took part in the FA National Ability Counts Finals at the London Soccer Dome. GTDFC where drawn in group A against Ealing, Sheffield Wednesday and Everton. GTDFC’s first game was against Ealing where Town destroyed them 7-1 with a hatrick from Dom Hydes and Des Kitching scoring 2 and having the game of his life. GTDFC’s 2nd game was against Sheffield Wednesday, this game was a hard game with both teams playing some very nice football but Town came through winners, 3-2. GTDFC’s last group game was against Everton, with Town already winging their first 2 game Qualification for the Semi was assured but wanted to win the group. The game was the hardest so for with both teams playing a very high standard and both teams missing chances but Everton won the Game 1-0.
GTDFC where drawn against Brighton in the semifinal. The game started sharp with both team gunning for the chance to play in the final with Brighton taking control late in the 2nd half with a barrage of chances at the Town goal where Town Keeper Tom Darlington could do no wrong pulling out some world class saves. With less than 1 minute to go Town fullback Josh Dunkley intercepted a pass in his own half and traveled with the ball towards the Brighton goal with no one making a challenge on him, he made it to the edge on the box before he met some resistance and with a challenge inevitable josh struck the ball but scuffing it in the process. The ball wrong footed the Brighton Keeper and flew in to the corner of the net. Town hung on for the last few seconds to win 1-0.
In the final GTDFC faced Everton who had beaten them back in the group phase, but GTDFC’s coach believed in the players and belived they could win. The game was just the same as in the group stage with both teams cancelling each other out and both keepers keeping their teams in the game. After normal time the game ended 0-0 and into extra time the match went. Both teams looked nervous of losing and with Everton Winning their semi final on penalties it looked like the final was going to penalties as well. With seconds on the clock Town pressed the Everton Goal shooting and forcing the Everton keeper to clear, he cleared the ball right against Ollie Clarke for Town who bundled the ball over the line to give town the lead with again only a few seconds on the clock. The final seconds that where left felt like a life time for the players and coach on the side line. The final whistle blew and Grimsby Town Disabilities Football Club League squad became National League Champions
GTDFC would like to thank all their sponsors this season; with out them none of this fantastic season would have been possible. Thanks go to Margate Cracknel The Havestoe Award, National Federation Of News Agents, Round Table Yarbrough 780 and Steve Sparks of the Bus Run.
With out funding and donations Grimsby Town Disabilities Football Club would not be able to run. We provide high quality training, social and competitive leagues at varied levels of Ability and Disability If you are interested in sponsoring please get in touch with Ernie Land on 01472505787 or Jason Land on 07967201226
Furthermore if you are interested in playing football at our club then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Squad-
Players
Dave Hurst, Tom Darlington, Josh Dunkley, Michelle Green, Ollie Clarke, Dave , Ryan Smith, Dom Hydes, David Gill, Trav Browning, Des Kitching
Coach Jason Land