DONCASTER TEAM MAKE EUROPEAN HISTORY

Doncaster College for the Deaf have become the first disability team to qualify for a mainstream UEFA football competition.

Doncaster will be playing against Europe's top clubs in the UEFA Futsal Cup after winning the FA national Futsal Finals at the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield on Sunday (July 10).

They beat London-based Baltic United 3-2 in the final with goals from Sam Kitchen, Brian Green and John Atkinson.

Sir Trevor Brooking, FA Director for Football Development, presented the team with the winning trophy.

He said: "It was a great performance from Doncaster. They have learnt the game very well, scoring some great goals during the tournament.

"Futsal is all about technique and great awareness and the Doncaster players have that in abundance."

Doncaster keeper Jon Smith said: "It is a fantastic achievement. We showed that Futsal is all about ability and not disability.

"The whole team was elated after the game and there was a huge amount of euphoria in the dressing room. I think it will take couple of days to sink in.

"We have now got 12 months to prepare for the UEFA Futsal Cup. We will be using that time to work hard on our game and try to become an even better team."

Jon, who is also Programme Manager for Sport at Doncaster College for the Deaf, explained how the team have overcome their disability to become the country's best Futsal team.

He said: "It's all about non-verbal communication. We practice a lot in training and work hard on general awareness. All the players need to keep focused on what's happening and keep looking at myself and the bench for tactical instructions."

Doncaster, who have only been playing Futsal for three years, qualified for the tournament after winning the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA Elite league.

They are now the second team from South Yorkshire's qualifying league to win the FA National Finals.

Jon added: "The Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA have moved quickly to install Futsal into grassroots football. They have worked hard to ensure that the game is played by as many people as possible and I think this has helped find some very good players from this region."

Doncaster's Brian Green, who scored in the final, led the team to glory and Jon has heaped praise on the club's player-manager.

"Brian has been a great leader and a fantastic player," says Jon. "I think he's still running around the track at the EIS - Sheffield after scoring that goal! Brian has been involved with deaf football for the last 25 years and used to be on Sheffield Wednesday's books. His experience and knowledge of the game has been invaluable. "









Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com