Disability doesn’t stop this football team

Hopwood Hall Rangers at St George’s Park. Back row left to right: John Ashworth, Zackary Armando Perkin, Callum Cockton, Joe Thomas, Nathan Wilson. Bottom row left to right: Jack Mullock, Konnor Soroka, Josh Smith and Daniel Howarth

The Hopwood Hall Rangers, a football team made up of players with a range of disabilities, has proved that nothing can get in the way of the sport they love. This year they have won three tournaments and have recently played on the pitch where the England team train.

The team was formed nearly a year ago at Hopwood Hall College, first starting out as an opportunity for disabled students to come along and have a go at playing football, using the College’s sports facilities. Since then the College’s football development officer, Tom Conroy, has helped develop the players into a tournament winning team.

In the last year the Hopwood Hall Rangers have won three tournaments.

In addition, they were recently invited to play in the national PAN Disability tournament, which was held at St George’s Park in Burton upon Trent, the home of all of England’s national football teams. With its 12 outdoor pitches, including a replica of the Wembley surface and abundance of high-tech facilities, the trip to St George’s Park was a true honour for the student team.

Tom Conroy said: "I have been very pleased with how the training sessions and the players’ commitment have grown.

"The team has represented the College extremely well and has been noted by tournament organisers for their excellent fair play.

"The Hopwood Hall Rangers have been supported all the way by the College and the Lancashire FA and I am very proud of them.

"I look forward to the sessions starting again in the new season and participating in many more tournaments."