Andrew Warshaw on how Enfield Town FC is developing local disabled sport

Enfield Town FC's disability team provides valuable opportunities for disabled people in the borough — *Enfield Town FC’s disability team provides valuable opportunities for disabled people in the borough*

Disabled athletes don’t always get the publicity they deserve but being the inclusive, fan-owned club it is, Enfield Town FC attaches great importance to the wellbeing of its disabled squad.

Every Saturday morning, the club’s disabled footballers, aged 14 upwards, can be seen training on the 3G pitch a stone’s throw away from the main pitch in Donkey Lane.

Just as for the men’s and ladies’ teams, training is all-important, with competitive matches invariably staged on Sunday afternoons and transport provided by a minibus owned by local charity, Enfield Children and Young Persons Services (ECYPS), which partners Enfield Town.

Players range in age and disability level, from Asperger’s to autism, ADHD and cerebral palsy, but cash flow is an understandable problem.

One of those who has made a significant contribution is Enfield Town vice-chairman Paul Millington, a key driver in the disability squad’s ongoing welfare, who a few months ago completed a fundraising Capital Ring walk around London. Originally the walk, which raised several hundred pounds, was designed to pay for travel to a tournament in Germany, but that got scuppered by Covid-19. Instead the money is being split between a donation to ECYPS for the upkeep of the minivan and kit for the squad.

Paul Busson, a former grenadier guard and head coach of the disability squad – which comprises two separate teams depending on the severity of disability – explained the extent to which football is a huge part of his players’ lives.

“Win, lose or draw they just appreciate playing,” he says. “I don’t get any grief from any of them as some people get with able-bodied players!

“They are just happy at what they do. And we don’t stop during the summer, unlike clubs who take six weeks off. That’s how keen they are.”

The squad includes Paul’s own autistic son, who plays in goal – just as he did many years ago on Woking’s books. “If a game gets postponed they are not happy. We were due to start our league around the time of the Queen’s funeral and obviously the game had to be called off.”

Claire Whetstone, who set up ECYPS in 2002, says the link with Enfield Town FC is crucial in terms of young disabled people gaining confidence and self-esteem in a safe and fun environment.

Claire, who is now semi-retired, told the Dispatch: “[We realised] one of the areas in which young people were disadvantaged was in the field of disability sports.

“I realised there was a service gap in terms of a stimulating space. The link with the club is vitally important. Football clubs serve such a strong social purpose. It’s about feeling part of the community and social interaction.”

In other Enfield Town news, midfielder Sam Youngs has now passed the landmark of 200 games for the club. Fans’ favourite Sam, who has been with the club for five years, said: “It’s a privilege to have played so many games for such a good club and hopefully there are many more to come.

“It’s safe to say it’s been a slow start this season. It was never going to be easy coming from the highs and ultimate low of last season and losing a few key players. Saying that, the levels and expectations have been set so I fully expect us to start picking up results and moving in the right direction very soon.”

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