The Greater Manchester Ability Counts league, scooped the first ever GM Mayor’s award at the Greater Sport Annual awards earlier this month. 

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Manchester, awarded Secretary Eric Calow and Chairman Frank Melling with the prestigious recognition, praising the committee for the work being done in Manchester within disability football. The league, which runs at Salford Sports Village, hosts 50 teams and sees an average of 500 players taking part in football each month. 

Eric, who has volunteered with the league for 15 years, said: “The social, physical and emotional support that this league gives to so many players is immeasurable and we are humbled to receive this award from Mr Burnham. It is for every single club official who comes along and supports the ethos of our league, we cannot emphasise their importance enough.”

Manchester FA’s Disability Football Development Officer, Steven Edwards, added: "We are extremely proud of this league and the team that supports it to deliver playing opportunities to those with disabilities. This award is testament to their commitment to supporting this league every single month and for them to be recognised by the Mayor is fantastic for disability football in Manchester.”

For more information about disability football in Manchester, please contact Steven.Edwards@ManchesterFA.com and to enquire about the Greater Manchester Ability Counts league please contact the league secretary Eric Calow on: caloweric@yahoo.co.uk.