Another fantastic season for Wolves Disability FC was crowned at the annual awards night in front of an audience of 240 at Molineux.
Players from the under-12s, under-16s and adult teams were joined by family memories and Wolves Foundation staff and volunteers at the annual celebration, a continuing sign of the success and camaraderie among the squad.
Awards were given out across each group from the players, coaches and supporters, but the overall atmosphere was one of celebrating the participation of everyone involved.
“This is an event we have organised for several years now and it continues to get bigger and better,” says Gavin Jones, senior disability sport officer with the Foundation who oversees the Disability squad programme.
“It is a celebration of the achievements of the season, not just in terms of results and performances but the inclusion of being able to offer our participants the opportunity to be part of a team with training and matches.
“Involving as many players as we can is a key aim of our set-up, and the spirit and togetherness within of all our teams ensures everyone feels welcome and able to really enjoy their football.
“I just want to thank all the players and their families for their support and look forward to doing it all again for 2026/27!”
There were another couple of special awards on the night, the Will Payne Memorial Award, presented in memory of former Disability player Will, who passed away last year, by his father Sam.
Thomas, from the adult team, received a special one-off award for his support and dedication with Harry, from the under-16s, handed the award which will now become an annual showpiece of the Disability FC season.
Among the highlights of the year for the Disability squad have been the under-16s winning a cup competition, as well as the two half time fixtures, against Burnley and Aston Villa.
The under-16 fixture against Villa, which ended in the pouring rain with Hugh scoring a dramatic late winner, was also part of the season’s new partnership with Alexion UK which helped to raise awareness of Rare Disease Day.
Alexion’s support, alongside that from existing partners Nuffield UK, is hugely appreciated by the Disability squad and Foundation as a whole, as it helps to create opportunities and change lives for such a wide range of participants.
Francesc Olle Amat, from Alexion, sent a video message which was played on the night and highlighted the immense value of the partnership.
“At Wolves Foundation you bring people together and you make inclusion real,” said Francesc.
“You are a real family, and while we are totally different organisations, we have the same values and the same purpose.
“What we have built together has gone far beyond what we built at the start – it’s a partnership not about organisations but about people, and on behalf of Alexion I would thank all the players, all the families, everyone who is involved, and all at the Foundation.”
