THERE were scenes of celebration when Newtown Sports Cerebral Palsy Football Club played their first ever competitive match – more than a year after the club was launched.
Chadderton Park CPFC made the 130 mile trip from Oldham to play against Newtown Sports on a memorable morning at the Malvern St James Sports and Fitness Centre last month.
Made up of youngsters who suffer from cerebral palsy, the side is affiliated to Newtown Sports Junior Football Club which has been running in Malvern for around 30 years.
Since launch the club has just run training sessions but their first big match came on February 21.
Before the match, children from both clubs took time to get to know each other followed by a group warm-up session.
After the competitive but friendly natured game, the morning was rounded off with a presentation of medals, commemorative plaques and scarves.
Newton Sports Cerebral Palsy Football Club manager Scott Tranmer said the day is one he will never forget.
“There is a feeling of great pride,” he told the Observer.
“The children were just desperate to play a competitive game and have worked so hard for this moment.
“We have made friends for life and it was amazing to see all the kids playing football together, regardless of their disability.”
Chadderton Park won the game but Scott’s son, Ned, scored Newtown’s first ever competitive goal.
“I had a tear in my eye when he scored,” Scott added.
“When you see your son playing football, there’s always that hope of watching him score a goal.
“After he scored it was amazing to see his face beaming from ear to ear and everyone cuddling him.”
Newtown Sports Cerebral Palsy Football Club’s first ever game came two weeks after the club’s first birthday on February 7 which saw a number of Great Britain paralympians visit Malvern to mark the anniversary.
Mr Tranmer said the plan now is to start finding CP teams across the country to play competitive games against and to help boost the profile of the game.
“We are looking to push organisations and local Football Associations to help aid the sport,” he said.
“After talking to some Chadderton Park coaches, we agreed an official junior CP league should be set up.
“Slowly but surely more CP teams are forming up and down the country.
“There are a few in Staffordshire and Shrewsbury so hopefully we will try to get a game against some of those teams in the future.”
