On the third anniversary of the death of our fixtures secretary, Darren Warner, footballers from Club Doncaster Titans, the club Darren formed to give his son an opportunity to play competitive football, gathered together last week to celebrate Darren’s life and to play a match to commemorate his passing.
Pictures of the event at Doncaster, together with a picture of Darren on matchday duty and with Mike and Sam.
Together with Chair and Darren’s good friend Mike Stylianou, and with the support of Sheffield FA’s Sam Firth, the South Yorkshire Ability Counts League set off on an upward trajectory which continues to this day.
On Thursday 12th October, grassroots football’s finest were recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony at Hillsborough.
The awards, which recognise local winners and highly commended recipients of the England Football Grassroots Football Awards 2023, were presented by BBC Radio Sheffield Sports Editor Andy Giddings.
The local grassroots community made over 160+ nominations across 12 categories earlier in the year, and the winners and highly commended recipients were selected by an independent judging panel.
A video of each individual award winner was shown at the awards ceremony to showcase what makes them deserving award winners. Videos are available on Youtube.
Photographs from the event can be found on our Sheffield FA Facebook page – courtesy of Chris Wharton Images.
A certificate and award were presented to each winner and highly commended recipient by Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA Intern Chair Brian Coddington.
Commenting on the success of the evening, Brian said: “This year’s awards ceremony was once again a fantastic evening where we were able to say thank you and show our appreciation to so many outstanding volunteers.
“We can never take for granted the tremendous work that grassroots volunteers do year in, year out. They are the beating heart of grassroots football in our county, and it’s a privilege and an honour to recognise their achievements at these awards.
“Congratulations to all our local winners and highly commended recipients, and I wish you even more future success as you continue to play a critical role in growing the game.”
Spartans FC recently took a trip to Barcelona / Calella. Tour at Nou Camp Stadium, open top bus tour in Barcelona and days out in Calella.
They wanted to share their photos with the Syacl web family and if any other team has had a football trip they would like to share within the league, please send the photos and reports in.
Football match against the Marpi Foundation at Pineda de Mar – match won by the Spanish team and penalty competition by Spartans FC.
Many thanks to Special Olympics Barcelona, the Marpi Foundation and FC Barcelona for helping to make many dreams come true .
The Sheffield & Hallamshire has today announced on Twitter that @SYorksACL, are the silver winners of the UEFA Grassroots Award 2022!
The award was a UEFA grassroots award for re-start after Covid and registration of teams and players, and SYACL officials were presented with 20 footballs to share amongst their clubs at the 5 X 5 and 7 X 7 Disability County Cup Finals on Sunday 24th April at Eco Power Stadium, Stadium Way, Doncaster DN4 5JW.
SYACL were the only League to continue with social distanced disability football when the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions allowed.
Bradford City have made a splash in their local press, appearing in the Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
The club’s ‘Green Team’ achieved the unthinkable, securing a terrific treble to round off an unbelievable campaign, this time in the Sheffield and Hallamshire Five-Aside Disability County Cup final last Sunday.
They defeated Derek Dooley’s Academy FC 2-0 in the final, and it confirmed a trio of trophies for Paul Jubb’s side at a sunny Eco Power Stadium (Doncaster Rovers), following their victories in the South Yorkshire Ability Counts Five-Aside Premier League and the South Yorkshire Ability Counts Five-A Side League One Divisional Cup.
Bradford’s ‘Amber Team’ also made it to the County Cup final in Doncaster but were unfortunate to be edged out by Sheffield FC, but it won’t knock back the achievements of City throughout the campaign.
Reflecting on a season of joy, Jubb (manager) said: “It’s been a great season, finished off with several trophy wins for the boys. I’m immensely proud.”
“Most of the lads who play for the green team have come up from the U16’s and it has been their first taste of adult football this season, so they’ve done extremely well to win all three trophies.”
“We have won the treble in the past with another team, but it’s an unbelievable achievement and it makes it even more special because these lads have made the step up to adult football. It can be quite daunting for some players at first but everyone has taken it in their stride.”
Jubb added: “I think Sunday’s cup final win was the pick of the bunch because of the size of the event. The team got to play at Doncaster’s stadium which was special, and not many teams get to play in the County Cup final full stop. To get to the final itself was a testament to the players, but to win it was very special.”
The step up to adult football has helped the green team to flourish but Jubb believes his side have what it takes to go even further.
He said: “The lads played together throughout the U16’s, so there was that knowledge and understanding already there on how one and other played. It helped make the transition into adult football fairly easy for them.”
“We wanted to test them out in the five-a side leagues at first to see how they got on, but they’ve literally won everything. The games were tight, but I do feel they are ready to make the step up to the next division.”
“Once you’ve won everything in the five-a side leagues, you move up to the seven-a side division, so it’s something I think we are looking to do with the green team. I believe they are ready to show their qualities in an even more competitive environment.”
Jubb added: “We’ve got to be wary though because we moved our ‘Amber Team’ up to the seven-a side league when they won the treble and they did struggle a little bit because the level obviously gets harder.”
“Hopefully the team can make another positive transition and continue to enjoy their football at a higher level.”
“That’s what it is all about – them enjoying the game.”
The 5 X 5 and 7 X 7 Disability County Cup Final took place on Sunday 24th April at Eco Power Stadium, Stadium Way, Doncaster DN4 5JW.
While I wait for the report and other photos, here are a few from Twitter to enjoy.
The first photo is the South Yorkshire Ability Counts League committee receiving the 20 Adidas footballs for achieving silver position in the European Ability Leagues.
Ahead of the Disability County Cup Final this Sunday with FREE entry @Eco Power Stadium, Stadium Way, Doncaster DN4 5JW starting at 9.30am with FREE entry, the Social Eyes teams enjoyed a day out at Sheffield Wednesday ground.
Here’s a few of their photos they wanted to share with the SYACL.com.
Don’t forget everyone the 5 X 5 and 7 X 7 Disability County Cup Final takes place Sunday 24th April at Eco Power Stadium, Stadium Way, Doncaster DN4 5JW starting at 9.30am with FREE entry.
The Eco-Power Stadium (formerly known as Keepmoat Stadium) is a multi-purpose stadium in Doncaster, England, with a capacity of 15,231.
So let’s get a good crowd there and hopefully celebrate without Covid knocking anyone out.
The South Yorkshire Ability Counts League season came to a thrilling end on Sunday. Much of the success of our match days is down to the fantastic support we receive from our sponsors: – Sheffield Trophy Centre and Twentytwo; our venues: – Goals Sheffield, Goals Doncaster and Concord Sports Centre, writes Margaret Gregory for http://www.southyorkshireability countsleague.com
As a token of our gratitude, Spartans FC star Paul Stylianou called in at the venues and sponsors to present a few Easter eggs to the staff, with the thanks of all of our players, coaches and spectators.
Thanks all and see you next season!!
Pat from the Sheffield Trophy Centre.
James from Twentytwo.
Andy from Concord Sports Centre.
Ben & Simon from Sheffield Goals Centre.
Josh at Doncaster Goals Centre.
Paul – Spartans FC – with Ben & Simon from Sheffield Goals Centre.
South Yorkshire Ability Counts League 