DISABLED footballers from across South East England converged on Uxbridge last Sunday to mark the end of the first part of a scheme designed to aid their international aspirations.

Teams from Charlton, Kent, Norwich and Brighton took part in the Middlesex County Football Association's first fixture festival involving the FA Centre of Excellence (Disability) at Brunel University.

The initiative seeks to develop both the football and academic abilities of the best young disabled players in the country and offers them a pathway to the England national side.

Training once a week and with regular monthly fixtures squad members receive substantial contact time both educationally and on the football pitch helping shape individual players overall personal development.

Trials for next season for 10 to 17-year-olds with either a learning disability, hearing and/or visual impairment will be held in October. For more information call Jon Whittingham on 0208 515 6904.