Miles, Marcus, Adam and Kye: Tonbridge Angels' New Disability Team Takes Its First Steps

Four players pulled on a Tonbridge Angels shirt for the very first time this week in a competition that's been two years in the making - and they didn't just turn up, they beat Charlton Athletic while they were at it.

Miles, Marcus, Adam and Kye became the first players to represent Tonbridge Angels' new PAN Disability Football Team in competition, taking part in a tournament day organised through the Kent Disability Football League. Alongside the win over Charlton Athletic, the side also took on Margate, Kings Hill and two teams from Maidstone United. The team is fully funded by the Tonbridge Angels Foundation and gives players aged 16 and over with disabilities the chance to play, build friendships and represent the club - something the club says took "a couple of years of work" to get off the ground, with The Oaks, the Foundation and club staff all involved in putting it together.

The Kent Disability Football League, established in 2005, runs monthly tournament days for children, teenagers and adults with disabilities across Kent and south-east London, with adult divisions grouped by ability so players compete at an appropriate level. For Tonbridge Angels, Thursday's debut is the start rather than the end: the Foundation says it's already looking ahead to the next tournament day on Sunday 1 November.

The club is actively recruiting more players aged 16 and over with disabilities to join the squad. Training sessions run every Thursday from 1pm to 2pm, and every other Saturday starting 17 October, with tournaments held one Sunday a month. Anyone interested in playing, or in getting a family member or someone they support involved, can contact the Foundation's Dom Welsh at dom.welsh@tonbridgeangels.co.uk.

Source: Tonbridge Angels FC