SYorks ACL 2026/7 season gets under way at Goals Sheffield

Competitive start to Premier 7’s Division -both Sheffield teams in early lead

Bradford City Claret and Sheffield Purple set the early pace in Premier 5’s

Sheffield Orange, Bradford City Ambers, and Base Hub Purple lead Championship

Hornets Jet and Mansfield Town Green off to a flyer in League One

Perfect start for Base Hub Blue in League Two

A new look for the www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague last Sunday (18th
October). The League kicked off its new season with the seven a side and five a side
leagues playing on the same day at the same venue, the Goals Centre in Sheffield.
The new format was successful, with the seven a side games played on the larger
Pitch 9.

The Premier 7-a-side division looks like being highly competitive, and referee Sean
needed all his experience to make sure things didn’t boil over! Dinnington Town,
under new management, got the season under way with a hard fought match against
Sheffield FC White. The match was level at 1-1 after 8 minutes, but gradually the
team from the World’s First took the upper hand and ran out convincing winners,
despite a brilliant performance from Dinno’s keeper.

Next up, Derek Dooley Red and Mansfield Town Amber shared the points with a goal
apiece before Mansfield Town Blue saw off Dinnington Town Yellow to take the win.

Lots of encouraging signs from Dinnington suggesting that even better days are to
come.

Sheffield FC Blue entered the fray with a two -goal win over Derek Dooley Red
before Mansfield Town FC Amber and Sheffield FC White battled out a tremendous
seven goal thriller with Sheffield Red edging the contest. It was a brilliant game.

In the final game of the day in the Division, another terrific encounter between
Mansfield Town FC Blue and Sheffield FC Blue ended with Sheffield taking a nothing
win. It was a battling, physical game between two really committed sides to bring the
Division’s Day to a conclusion.

After two matches each, the experienced Sheffield clubs have 100% records and six
points. Mansfield Blue have three. Dinnington are sure to open their points account
soon.

Into the five a side division, and Brian was referee on Pitch 8 for the day’s four
matches in the Premier Division.

Sheffield Purple and Bradford City Clarets both made confident starts with two good
wins each, leaving Dinnington Town ABC and Mansfield Town AC Clarets yet to
open their accounts.

The returning Phil oversaw events in the Championship five-a side division. Base
Hub Purple had two good wins over Derek Dooley White and Mansfield Town Red
respectively; and Sheffield Fc Orange twice got the better of newly promoted
Mansfield Town Ladies who were adjusting to their new surroundings and are too
good to be pointless for long…

With Bradford City Ambers also winning their opening two matches, Derek Dooley
White had nothing to show for two really good opening-day performances, but that
will surely change.

The table shows three clubs with six points after two matches and three clubs eager
to get off the mark after two matches.

Tony refereed the five matches on Pitch 4. Hillsborough Hornets Jet were too strong
for Derek Dooley Dark Blue and Mansfield Town FC White to take six points from the
opening day. Similarly, Mansfield Town FC Green beat Sheffield FC Yellow and
Dooley Dark Blue in pretty tough games to start the season unbeaten.

In the final game of the day, Sheffield FC Yellow took a convincing three points.

After two matches each, Hornets Jet and Mansfield Town Green head the way with
six points, with Sheffield Fc Yellow just behind on three. Derek Dooley Dark Blue and
Mansfield Town White will regroup before the next set of fixtures.

In League 2, Paul officiated six matches on Pitch 2. Base Hub Blue had a great day,
beating Derek Dooley Grey, Bradford City Emeralds, and Spartans to start with three
wins on opening day.

Bradford City Emeralds took two wins over Derek Dooley Grey and Spartans, and
Dooley Grey beat Spartans in the remaining game in the Division.

As the dust settled, Base Hub Blue have nine points, three ahead of Bradford City
Emeralds, with Derek Dooley Grey a further three back. Plenty of time for Spartans.

Remember that the League’s fixtures take place at Goals Sheffield on the third
Sunday of each month, meaning our next round of fixtures takes place from 10 am
on 15th November.
All matches at Goals Centre, Sheffield.

Report to follow soon.

It’s a three way fight in the Premier Division

Sheffield Blue and Dinnington Yellow in contention, with Mansfield Blue six points back

Hornets Gold withdraw from the League with 75% of fixtures played

Derek Dooley Red lead the Championship going into the final matchday

Sheffield White are five points back heading into April’s round robin.

There were four fixtures in each Division in the latest set of  www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com fixtures held at Concord Sports Centre on Sunday.

In the first match on Pitch 2, with Brian as referee, two excellent goals from Dinnington Town Yellows saw them edge to a 2-1 win over a battling Hillsborough Hornets Gold team; the first was a long range effort and the second a well-worked strike after a clever corner routine. with Hornets fighting hard but just managing a single strike.

After Mansfield Town AC Blue and Sheffield FC Blue had shared the points in a closely fought game which ended 1-1, Dinnington Town Yellows and Sheffield Blue played out a cagey goalless stalemate.

In the final game, despite a fantastic performance from Hornet’s keeper, Mansfield Blue took all three points with the only goal of the game.

After the weekend’s matches, Hornets skipper Alex informed Chairman Mike that his club had decided to withdraw from the League, for a variety of reasons. Mike wished Alex and his players well and that we hoped to see them again in the not-too-distant future.

With Hornets Gold having fulfilled 75% of their fixtures, League rules state that all results involving them will stand. For the next round of fixtures, Hornets opponents have been awarded all three points.

Instead of the planned round-robin finale in April, each team left in the Premier League will have two fixtures, both of 25 minutes duration, with a half time.

Going into the last League weekend, Scott Gregory’s Sheffield Blue team hold a two point lead over James Scally and Dinnington Yellow, with Paul Jobson’s Mansfield Blue six points off top spot but well capable of snatching a few points on the day!

Premier Division standings: –

In the Championship, Derek Dooley Red took three points in the first game with a last minute winner against a plucky Wheatley Wanderers team, before Sheffield White saw off Mansfield Town Amber with a beautifully worked goal.

Dooley Red were in terrific form in the third game, beating Mansfield Amber convincingly before Sheffield White rounded off the afternoon with a 2-0 win over Wheatley.

Heading into April’s final day, Dooley Red have a five point advantage over Sheffield FC White, and Claire and Nathan will be hoping to clinch the title next month when each team will be involved in round-robin matches over 17 minutes, played one way. However, Kev Marsh will have his players fired up for the afternoon; and don’t be surprised if Chris Pow’s Wheatley or Vernon Thompson’s Mansfield throw a spanner in the works!

Championship standings: –

The 7-a-side matches take place on 12^th April at Concord Sports Centre.

On Sunday 15^th March, the final round of 5-a-side League fixtures take place at Goals Sheffield, with a 10 am start.

See you all there…

Three-way battle for the Premier League title
Derek Dooley Red’s 3-point advantage over Sheffield White in the Championship
Brilliant goalkeeping dominates the afternoon.

Matchday Four of the http://www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com – rescheduled to last Sunday (1^st February) after January’s weather postponement – did not disappoint, with ten games across the three pitches at Concord Sports Centre.

The five hours of football demonstrated the continued improvement across all our seven-a side teams, with some thrilling games and great goals. However, everyone who watched the matches-including the coaches – agreed that goalkeeping across all eight teams gets better, and that the ‘keepers are now playing a vital role as the season counts down to its final stages. There were some outstanding performances and saves by all our goalkeepers last weekend, so a big round of applause to all of them!

With Sean, Brian, and Mike sharing match official duties across the three pitches, Dinnington Town got the Premier League action under way with a one-goal win over Hillsborough Hornets Gold. James Scally’s team edged out Hornets, coached on the day by Ian Whitehead by the only goal of the game, but Dinno’s keeper had an outstanding game and played a big part in securing the points for his team.

Scott Gregory’s Sheffield Blue took three points with a win over Mansfield Town Blue; Coach Paul then moved his Mansfield team across to Pitch 2 but they lost to Hornets Gold in a slightly fractious encounter which kept referee Brian on his toes.

Back on Pitch 3, there was a deserved win for Sheffield FC Blue despite the best efforts of Dinnington Yellow goalkeeper; and in the final match of the afternoon, and in the third game for both teams, Mansfield Town Blue edged Dinnington by 3-2; pick of the goals here was an outstanding volley from Jamie, but a late Dinno rally meant that the result was in doubt until the final whistle.

With all four teams’ level on 7 games, Sheffield Blue hold a four point lead over both Hornets Gold and Dinnington Town Yellows with Mansfield Blue four points further back on six.

In the Championship, with Brian and Sean as match officials, the first game between Sheffield White and Mansfield Town Amber finished goalless, with both keepers in brilliant form.

Next up on Pitch 1 Chris Pow’s Wheatley Wanderers – well supported as always – were beaten by Derek Dooley Red. Nathan Pearson’s team featured an excellent performance from Sean, who saw his shot go close after a mazy run.

In the next game, Wheatley Wanderers took a brilliant victory over Mansfield Town Amber, coached by Vernon. It would take something special to beat Mansfield’s outstanding goalkeeper, and Pete Lambert provided it with a delicious chip over the keeper from range. A delighted Pete took his shirt off in celebration, leaving a stunned referee Mike unable to get the yellow card out of his pocket! A fantastic moment!!

Another great game followed, with Kev Marsh’s Sheffield White edging Dooley Red in an absolute thriller, with Nathan pushing his keeper up in the last minute to reduce the deficit to one. Time ran out though, and Sheffield claimed a valuable three points to halt Dooley’s charge.

The two teams matched up again in the final match of the day, sharing the points with a 1-1 draw.

Dooley Red head the chase for the title by three points from the chasing Sheffield White. Wheatley have 7 points, one ahead of Mansfield Town Amber.

The seven-a -side competition continues in March at Concord, with a thrilling climax to both divisions in prospect.

February 15^th sees the Five-a-side teams back in action at Goals Sheffield.

Down to the wire as Bradford City Claret and Sheffield FC Purple share Premier top spot

Looking good for Bradford City Diamonds in the Championship

Mansfield Town Green and Mansfield Red battling for League One crown

Mansfield Green and Hornets Onyx in touch in thrilling League Two battle

The snow abated on Sunday 18^th January at Goals Sheffield as our five-a side teams resumed their 2025/6 campaigns. It was another great day, well supported by our parents and carers with fully committed on-field performances from every single player. Once again, all-round behaviour was excellent.

Three games in the Premier Division, on Pitch 4 refereed by Sean. In the first match, Dinnington Town and Base Hub United Purple shared the points in a 1-1 draw, with both goals coming in the first half. James and Tony would have been happy with a point apiece.

Another entertaining, end-to-end game followed with Bradford City Claret edging Base Hub United Purple to take three important points.

In the final game of the day, Sheffield FC Purple maintained their impressive title challenge going into the final week of the season, by convincingly beating Dinnington Town; despite a brilliant performance from the Base goalkeeper.

So, with one matchday to go it’s impossible to split Bradford City Claret and Sheffield FC Purple. Both have 15 points from six games. Dinnington Town have an excellent four points, and a plucky Base Hub United a single point. It’ll be a round robin shoot out for the title, as explained at the end of our report.

In the Championship, Brian was our match official for the five matches on Pitch 8. In the first, Mansfield Town AC Claret came from two down to snatch a point in a thrilling encounter.

Next, Derek Dooley White enjoyed a convincing win over a battling Hornets Jet side, with Daniel and Believe amongst the scorers for Dooley.

In the third game of the day, Mansfield Town Claret gave a really committed performance in beating Bradford City Diamonds before Sheffield Orange took the points with a win over Hornets Jet. Sheffield Coach Kev Marsh must have been delighted with the three points, although there were a nervous couple of seconds when James Steers took an unfortunate ball to the head. His skull cap did its job, and James was able to continue after a look over by the coaching staff.

In the final game of the day in this Division, Bradford City Diamonds enjoyed a good win over Derek Dooley White helped by a fast start. Coby scored twice for Bradford. It’s looking good for the Bradford City Diamonds as we approach the business end of the season. They have18 points from seven games, having played a game more than nearest challengers Dooley White, who have 10. Mansfield Claret have 9 points, one more than Sheffield Orange.

League One has been hugely competitive all season, and the five games refereed by Mike on Pitch 6 were no exception. In the first game, the ever-improving Mansfield Town AC Ladies came from behind to take the points, despite having just four players.

Next, Derek Dooley Blue and Base Hub United Blue played out an absolutely storming game, with Dooley Blue coming out on top in an eight-goal thriller.

Mansfield Town Ladies then maintained their excellent form with a good win over Bradford City Emeralds, before two long-range goals from Cameron Mounde helped Mansfield Town AC Red to a good win over a gutsy Base Hub Blue.

The final game of the day was an extraordinary 11 goal thriller which saw Derek Dooley Blue edge to the narrowest of wins. It was a great watch, with Jack and Alix combining for 6 of the Dooley Goals.

With all the teams having played eighth games, Mansfield Town AC Ladies and Mansfield Town AC Red share top spot on 19 points. Dooley Blue are close behind on 15 points, with Bradford City Emeralds and Base Hub United Blue both on three.

In League Two, refereed by Tony, there were just 14 goals in the first match between Spartans and Titans Yellow, with Titans coming out on top.

In the second match, Mansfield Town AC Green took the win over Titans Yellow. There were great performances from Steph for Mansfield and Alex from Titans, marauding the right wing like his hero Mo Salah.

Spartans took the points in the final game of the day, narrowly beating Dooley FA Grey thanks to goals from Richard and Sam’s penalty.

Mansfield Town AC Green have 18 points from their 8 games and lead the table by just three from Hornets Onyx absent on the day due to player non-availability. Titans, Dooley Grey, and Spartans all have 9 points.

With just one matchday remaining, our Chair Mike outlined the format for the final day of the season.

“All,

The 5-a-side Premier, League 1 and League 2 divisions have now all played each other twice. For the remainder of the season, they will play a round-robin format, playing every team in the same division for a shorter duration, as we do in the Divisional Cup tournament.

The Premier teams will play three 14 minute matches , played one way with no half time; the League 1 & League 2 divisions will play four 10 minute matches , played one way with no half time..

The teams in the Championship division in February , will still play two 20 minute matches. Bradford City Diamonds & Sheffield Orange will play 1 league match and a friendly match against each other. They have played 3 out of the 4 other teams in their division twice. The March fixtures for that division will then be played on a round -robin basis.

Full Time will send out the February fixtures in the next couple of days “.

The @southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com returns on the first Sunday in February, with the rearranged seven a side fixtures postponed from earlier in January.

Last matchday of 2025 features five-a side teams at Goals Sheffield

Bradford City Claret and Sheffield FC Purple in Premier League title battle

Bradford City Diamonds forge ahead in the Championship

All Mansfield Town AC in League One as Reds lead impressive Ladies team

Hornets Onyx lead the way in League Two

Annual Fundraiser closes in on £2500 for Ryegate House

Another great day of http://www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com five-a-side football
across four pitches at Goals Sheffield on Sunday, 14th December. At the end of a
thrilling afternoon, the destination of the respective titles became a little clearer in
some cases, and no clearer in others as the season heads into 2026.

Brian officiated in the Premier Division matches on Pitch 4. Although Base Hub
United Purple took the win over Dinnington Town in the first match, a couple of small
rule violations saw the points awarded to Dinnington after subsequent review.

Sheffield Purple edged a thrilling battle with title rivals Bradford City Claret by the
only goal, but they had their keeper to thank for a couple of brilliant saves.
Claret got their show back on the road with an excellent performance and a fine win
over the ever-improving Dinnington Town before Sheffield FC Purple closed out a
profitable afternoon with a convincing win over a high-scoring Base Hub Purple.

So, at the top, Bradford City Claret and Sheffield FC Purple share identical records
and have twelve points each. They will face off against each other in January.
Dinnington are off the mark and lead Base Hub Purple by three points.

In the Championship, Sean was in the middle on Pitch 8 for a superb, high scoring
draw between Mansfield Town AC Claret and Sheffield Orange. Claret battled back
from 4-1 down to take a thrilling point.

Bradford City Diamonds took a big win over the battling Hornets Jet before Dooley
White enjoyed a great win over Sheffield FC Orange, with Believe Mayala in
unstoppable goalscoring form. James Steers, well taken goal provided a late
consolation for Club.

Bradford City Diamonds then took the three points with a good win over Mansfield
Town AC Claret to maintain their outstanding unbeaten record in the Division.

In the final game, Dooley White rounded off a great afternoon with a good win over a
battling Hornets Jet to take second place in the Division.
Bradford City Diamonds are deserved leaders and have an eight-point cushion over
Dooley White having played one game more. Mansfield Claret have five points, and
Sheffield Orange four.

Into League One, where Tony was match official for the four games on pitch six.
Mansfield Town AC Red took a deserved win over Bradford City Emeralds in the first
game before Mansfield Town Ladies overwhelmed a depleted Base Hub Blue to take
a very convincing three points and reaffirm their excellent start in the S Yorks ACL.

After Mansfield Town Red had seen off Derek Dooley Blue – whose ‘keeper was in
brilliant form, Bradford City Emeralds took a walkover win over Base Hub Blue, for
whom it had been a really challenging day.

Last up, Mansfield Ladies rounded off a splendid matchday with the win over Derek
Dooley Blue.

So, Mansfield Town Red head Mansfield Town AC Ladies by five points but have
played one game more. Dooley Blue are one point further back after a tough
afternoon. Bradford City Emeralds are on the scoreboard too with three points.

So, into League Two where Mike took the whistle for four of the five games.

Predictably, the first game was a high-scoring thriller which Mansfield Town AC
Green edged by the odd goal in thirteen. Spartans’ Richard Brown was at the centre
of everything for Spartans, but he could not prevent his side losing the points.

Next up, a good win for Derek Dooley Grey over Club Doncaster Titans Yellow, with
Titans’ top man John Hibbert a welcome guest supporting coach Liam’s side who
battled superbly. In the end, Dooley were just that bit too strong for them.

Next, it was a fine win for title chasers Hornets Onyx, with Rebecca in great form for
Hillsborough. Spartans again battled well, throwing caution to the wind but for the
second time fell just short of a win.

Mansfield Green beat Dooley Grey in another high scoring clash before Onyx closed
out a good afternoon for them with a win and a clean sheet over Titans Yellow.
After three matchdays and with each team having played six matches, Hornets Onyx
lead the table by three points from Mansfield AC Green. Titans Yellow, Dooley Grey,
and Spartans all have six points in this hugely entertaining division.

During the afternoon, all our players and coaches took a break from the action for a
group photograph in support of our fundraiser for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

With the sealed collection boxes to be counted by the Charity, we are hopeful that we will
be at the £2500 mark for Ryegate House. Thank you, to everyone involved.

That is it for 2025. We wish all our players, coaches, officials, and supporters a
Happy, healthy, and safe New Year.

Our Seven-a -side players get their 2026 under way on Sunday, 11th January at
Concord Sports Centre.
See you all there!

South Yorkshire Ability Counts League

 Christmas wishes from the League.

We would like to wish all our players, coaches, carers, parents, supporters, and match officials a very Happy Christmas and a safe and healthy 2026.

There have been a few changes to the Leagues over the last couple of years and we have been sorry to lose Barton Inclusive and Glossop Town who have moved on to their local league, and the seven a side teams from Club Doncaster Titans.

However, new clubs and teams inevitably come along to replace them and this year we have seen Dinnington Town enter both seven and five a side competition.

One thing which never changes is the commitment, skill, and enthusiasm of all our participants, and the standard of football in all our Leagues continues to improve, as does the on and off field behaviour.

Following on from our County FA awards for the League and to our Chair, Mike, our referee’s secretary and match official, Sean Wright was selected as County FA And Match Official of the Year at The England Football Grassroots Football Awards, presented at Wembley. This was well-deserved recognition for an excellent referee and a popular member of our committee.

In the last few days, the League has smashed the target of £2k we set for our Annual Christmas Fundraiser, this year in support of Ryegate House at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. This means that the League has raised over £7.5k in the last three seasons for charitable causes, and we were again supported by a generous donation from Sheffield Forgemasters. Thanks to all of you for your brilliant contributions.

In addition to our match referees Sean, Brian, Tony, and Pete. We would also like to thank Margaret, our website editor for her fantastic work during the season.

Merry Christmas

Mike, Paul, and Colin

South Yorkshire Ability Counts League

Sheffield (Blue) by a nose in exciting three-way Premier Division battle

Derek Dooley (Red) press on at the top of the Championship

Another award for Sean Wright, this time from the County FA

Children’s Hospital fundraiser clears the £1500 mark

Eight hard fought fixtures in the www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com Seven a side Leagues at a floodlit, wet Concord Sports Centre on Sunday (December 8^th) as the pan-disability sides locked horns for the last time in 2025. It was a super afternoon of football played in fantastic spirits.

Here is our regular summary of the action.

In the Premier Division, Sean was match official on Pitch One as Alex Whitehead’s Hillsborough Hornets (Gold) got their afternoon off to a fast start with a narrow win over James Scally’s Dinnington Town (Yellows) by just the single goal in a hard -fought encounter.

Meanwhile, over on Pitch 2, Referee Brian took charge of another nail-biter between Sheffield FC (Blue) and Mansfield Ability Counts (Blue). The Mansfield keeper was in fantastic form, but Sheffield took all three points with the only goal of the game.

Mansfield (Blue) stayed on for the next Premiership fixture, and again, despite their goalkeeper’s heroics (including a brief stoppage for an elbow injury) it was Dinnington (Yellow) who grabbed maximum points with a well organised performance.

In the final match of the afternoon, Sheffield FC (Blue) saw off Hornets (Gold) thanks to some great finishes. It was a much closer match than the score suggests, with the World’s oldest simply being more clinical in front of goal.

So, after 5 games, Scott Gregory’s Sheffield Blue head the pile with eight points; the impressive Dinnington (Yellow) have seven points from one game less, and Hornets have seven points from five games. Mansfield AC (Blue) and Paul Jobson have just three points to show for four strong performances in what is an extremely competitive division.

In the Championship, Chair Mike was Match Official on Pitch One as Sheffield (White) defeated Wheatley Wanderers in a match marred by an injury to Wheatley’s keeper after a collision as two opposing players went for the ball. It was a complete accident, but the Wheatley keeper was unable to continue, reducing the Doncaster side to six players. That said, Kev Marsh’s Sheffield White probably deserved the win, with Wheatley’s Chris Pow standing in as keeper for the rest of the match.

Mike then took control of a close encounter between Vernon Thompson’s Mansfield AC (Amber) and Derek Dooley FA (Red), resplendent in their excellent new kits. Although Mansfield started the better, Claire Cowlishaw’s Dooley grew into the game and took the points courtesy of a single goal.

Credit to Derek Dooley AC Red in the next match, as they took a player off to match Wheatley’s six, but they still managed to take the three points with a fine victory and get their new kit off to a fine start. Credit to Wheatley, who continued to battle hard.

In the final game of the day, it was an excellent match between Sheffield FC (White) and Mansfield Town AC Amber, won by Club by the odd goal in three. The winner was a fantastic finish, worthy of winning the match.

So, four games in Derek Dooley (Red) lead the way with ten points from four games; it is nip and tuck behind them, as just two points cover the three other teams.

Thanks to all our 7-a-side players, coaches, referees, and spectators for a great day’s football. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and we will see you at Concord in January.

Sean Wright

Away from the on-field action, it is congratulations -again- to our Referee’s Secretary Sean Wright for his award as Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA’s match official of the Year at a recent ceremony at Doncaster Keepmoat. This award led to Sean’s National Match Official prize we are delighted for Sean, and it is another well-deserved award.

Well done, Sean!

Sheffield Children’s Hospital Fundraiser

This weekend the www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com fundraiser in support of Ryegate House crashed through the £1600 barrier, thanks to another fabulous donation from Sheffield Foregmasters. With three weeks to go, we are getting close to our £2000 target, so if you would still like to donate, visit our Just Giving site at

https://www.justgiving.com/page/colin-muncie-6?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

The League rounds out 2025 next Sunday with our 5-a-side matchday at Goals Sheffield.

See you all there!

Here’s this weeks photos!