The best clubs in world football are those that perform as a team. Whether that’s a performance by the likes of Manchester City or United on the pitch, or the delivery of a grassroots event off of it.
Last summer Manchester County FA combined with member clubs Moorside Rangers and Beechfield United to host an event fitting of national football day and that same collaborative spirit was in action again during February at the IIC Show.
Showcasing all the opportunities that are available within disability football across Manchester, we teamed up with City in the Community, Bury FC and the FA Tesco Skills team as well as Manchester Powerchair, Calm Soccer and various local branches of Mencap in a bid to raise the profile of disability football within the county.
Each dipping into our individual pools of expertise we were able to deliver community sessions and impairment specific football across two days that enabled us to not only demonstrate what we do, but network with new organisations and recruit new players to move even further forward.
Special mention must go not only to the Greater Manchester Fire Service for providing football cages and staff throughout the show, but to Shannon Howarth and Frank Melling who volunteered their services to assist.
Like any great football team hoping to achieve the best results, collaboration was key to last week’s success and not only are we delighted to recognise voluntary efforts, but we are proud to boast a team that extends far wider than our staff.
Manchester Mencap chief executive officer Kate Maggs has praised Fletcher Moss FC’s efforts to make football accessible for all.
The Manchester Mencap group were recently close to folding and required immediate support from a committed grassroots community club, a call that Fletcher Moss have certainly answered.
By appointing volunteer coaches to deliver regular sessions to Manchester Mencap members, the group is now receiving structured coaching sessions, are learning new skills and have a sustainable structure in place to secure the groups long-term future.
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"Manchester Mencap is a local independent charity working with adults who have learning disabilities and are often socially isolated," she explained.
"We are absolutely delighted to be working with Fletcher Moss FC and Manchester County FA to deliver community-based football opportunities for men and women with learning disabilities.
"Adults with learning disabilities often have less opportunity to take part in sport and other activities in their local communities. We firmly believe that sport should be accessible to all for well-being, leisure and fun.
"It is wonderful to be working with others who share the same values."
Fletcher Moss FA Charter Standard Coordinator Dave Horrocks has explained how the club is delighted to be of assistance.
"As an FA Charter Standard Community Club, Fletcher Moss Rangers have pledged to provide football for all," he said.
"We are privileged to be asked to be associated with Manchester Mencap. The adult group will become our open age team and will be supported by Atticus Trophies.
"Atticus director Nadeem Ahmed was only too pleased when asked for the company's support and agreed immediately. Muhammed Alzubaidi and Barry Craven are the coaches who have been training with the open-age group and they cannot wait until they are ready to play some matches against other groups."
FLETCHER MOSS PARTNER MANCHESTER MENCAP
ICC SHOW