School’s disabled team to battle it out in the national finals of prestigious cup
The Grange Academy’s pan-disability team will take part in the final of the FA People’s Cup in Sheffield on 20 March.The FA People's Cup is a five-a-side format and the finals will take place at Goals Sheffield following regional qualifying rounds held across the country. The winners will be invited to the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on 21 May.
Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, and Hatters frontment Craig Mackail-Smith and Jack Marriott visited The Grange Academy this week to meet the pan-disability team and wish them the very best of luck for the finals. The players also presented a kit for the team to wear on Sunday.
The Grange Academy’s pan-disability club provides structured coaching and competition for schoolchildren with physical, learning, emotional or behavioural disabilities. The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association and participates in the Ability Counts League. Luton Town Community Trust also provided coaching sessions at the academy.
Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "This is an amazing achievement for the players, it gives them that sense of pride and team spirit as well as a great day out. I wished them luck on behalf of the Borough and I’m sure local residents will get behind them in this very special competition.”
Luton striker Craig Mackail-Smith said “The boys have done fantastically well to reach the national finals of the FA People’s Cup on Sunday – I hope they can go to Sheffield and really enjoy their day out and who know – maybe win the cup? It’s great that the Club have donated this kit for them to wear – hopefully they will be as proud to wear it as everyone at Luton Town is of them for getting this far.”
Fellow striker Jack Marriott commented: “Even in the short time we spent with the lads you could see that they are a skilful group – I really hope they can perform on the day and win the cup.”
Good luck on Sunday to the lads on behalf of all the players, staff and supporters at Luton Town!
Watch interim headteacher Barney Geen talking about the Grange Academy team's achievement now: