So, when you use this contact page, who will you be reaching out to: –
League Chairman – Mike Stylianou: mike.stylianou@hotmail.co.uk
I’m of Greek Cypriot heritage and was brought up in London so a Tottenham Hotspur supporter.
Now a teaching assistant at an S.E.N School. I was formerly a civil servant in London, and I ran my own business in Sheffield.
As Chair of the SYACL, I oversee the running of the league, liaise with the County FA, Club Officials and other League Committee members. I also organise and arrange match venues and matchday fixtures.
I’ve been involved -personally and professionally- with children and adults with various disabilities on a daily basis for over 30 years and have been involved with a local disability football team for 15 years. I joined the Committee to help develop and improve the experiences we offer to our clubs and players; and I really enjoy seeing players improve their skills, their joy when scoring goals and realisation of fun and increased social interaction with their peers.”
I’ve also managed and coached mainstream junior, youth and adult football teams since the 1990’s, and I’m also involved as a Committee Member of the Blades Super Draw League. “
League Secretary – Paul Jubb: syaclsecretary@gmail.com
I basically do what Mike and Colin ask me to do!
Only joking, but I do have a lot of input on how the league is run and to ensure that it progresses for the better. I am always on the phone with Mike. I like the fact you have to prove your disability to play in the League and think it should be a national rule, for all Ability Counts Leagues.
I began coaching like most, when my son started to play at the age of 6/7, was the worst year of my life! ha! parents complaining about team selections, kick off times, colour of the kit and so on..
I was coaching at Bradford City Community Foundation, working in primary schools, when I was asked to coach in an autistic school.
Around the same time, I was asked to coach at Bradford Disability Football Club. I was there for around 16 years and really enjoyed my time there, playing in tournaments all over the country and also going to Hamm in Germany; I also coached the Yorkshire and Humberside Special Olympics team. The teams won lots of league titles in the West Riding League.
We also reached the first ever FA peoples Cup Finals, beaten easily by Manchester amputee’s team. I was voted the BBC Unsung Hero for Yorkshire.
Bradford City DFC joined the South Yorkshire league in 2017, just for a change of playing the same teams we had for 10 years. We have won most of the Leagues and a few cups including the 5 aside County Cup twice. We have also been in the FA Peoples Cup Ladies Final twice, at St Georges Park, unfortunately losing on both occasions!
We are really enjoying coming over to meet the other teams and we have made some great new friendships with the other clubs.
Since working at Bradford City, I have been to most of the home games and a lot of local’ away games! I also follow Liverpool FC.
President – Colin Muncie: susancolinm@gmail.com
Colin Muncie, President SYACL
I retired from the steel industry after 32 years, latterly in Director roles in South Yorkshire, Scunthorpe, Teesside and in the USA. I follow Non-League football and get to Hillsborough when I can.
I’ve been volunteering ever since I retired; I was a Trustee at Weston Park Cancer Charity, a Governor at several Primary and Secondary Schools, and I now volunteer as Chair with Transport 17, an organisation providing transport to lunch clubs for elderly and vulnerable adults, and at the Children’s Hospital.
I was a Safety Officer at the Special Olympics in 2017. I am also a member of the FA’s National Serious Case Disciplinary panel.
I still have a huge affection for the South Yorkshire steel towns of Stocksbridge and Rotherham. I am a Committee member at Stocksbridge Park Steels FC and was Vice Chairman at Parkgate FC, where I first came into contact with Margaret, Social Eyes FC, Mike and Darren, and the SYACL.
I worked with the League during the pandemic and helped Mike and Margaret with the website and League policies. I was delighted when the League invited me to become President.
It’s a superbly run organisation thanks to our brilliant Committee; matchdays are hard work but a lot of laughter and great football.
We are always looking for volunteers, so why not give the SYACL a try, or visit our website at www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com
SYACL Treasurer – Tony Pratt, pictured with League Chair Mike Stylianou.
I was born in Dewsbury of mixed heritage and am a life-long Spurs fan. In my time I’ve worked in the music business and as an actor. I have also been a foster carer and am presently working in a SEN school. My interests include music, theatre, art, science, craft & model making and literature.
Referees secretary – Sean Wright
I work for the British Heart Foundation in Hillsborough. I have been reffing for 22 years and my hobbies are listening to rock music and going to concerts.
My role with the SYACL involves appointing the referees for our Junior, 5-a-side and 7-a side fixtures in our League.
I have been involved with disability football for a number of years and I really enjoy reffing in the League. I remember how it started out with only a few teams involved, and now it has grown to where it is today -which is very satisfying to see.
I also referee a 6-a-side League and & the Flourish League.
I support Sheffield United and I go to games when I can; the highlight was seeing them get to the Premiership. I also go to watch Hallam FC at the Oldest Football Ground in the World in Sandygate.
Welfare Officer SYACL – Andrew Robson
Website editor – Margaret Gregory: poplars11mags@aol.com
Formerly the programme editor at Parkgate FC and currently website editor and Secretary/website editor/program editor and cook in the cafe at Swallownest FC, it’s safe to say I keep falling into roles.
An older lady with time on my hands; a love of computers stretching back to 1963 when my computer filled a room; and my one and only visit to a Premier club [Sheffield Wednesday to impress a first date, who I married] also in the sixties and the snow and wind and turning around and missing the only goal of the game. After that football did not hold much attraction until my boys became schoolboy footballers bringing me back to the touchline.
Fast forward to a chance meeting in a library and I offered to teach a football chairman how to use a computer with the intention of him producing his team’s program as practice.
I produce four websites but not your flashy Premier League all singing and dancing sites: they are designed for the novice computer user to enjoy seeing what goes on within a club. Also, I like to include lots of photos of the action for those who just wish to flick through. [So, if you take any at our matches, please send them through to me].
I took on the secretary role at Swallownest while the secretary was ill. Many of these grassroots clubs are run by the older generation who have been doing so for years. All new volunteers are much appreciated.
To anyone who might be interested in getting involved with Disability Football, I’d say volunteer, and volunteer again. It’s fun and the football is excellent. Sunday afternoons watching the League is exhilarating. The prowess of these players is equal to any higher League players and at our matches there is always a smile on players faces. No swearing, no fighting, no spitting just pure enjoyment.
I have been so impressed with the www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com. The organisation and attention to detail is second to none; and they should be applauded for managing to stage any games during the pandemic.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us using the contact emails or send a message using this form: –
South Yorkshire Ability Counts League 