Leeds United disability team urges fans to get behind young players - and support the trip of a lifetime

The junior disability team was set up two years ago by Leeds United Foundation and is supported by the club, but largely financed through fundraising and money paid by parents.

The team is formed of around 20 children who love football but have some form of disability which prevents them from playing in mainstream teams.

Mum-of-two Leanne Jones has launched a fundraising campaign to send the two teams, the under 12s and under 16s, to play a tournament in Europe.

Her six-year-old son Elliott, who has multiple disabilities including a rare chromosome deletion disorder and high-functioning autism, joined the team as soon as he turned five years old.

Elliott, who lives with Leanne and 16-year-old brother Ollie in Bingley, is a huge Leeds United fan and the family are season ticket holders at Elland Road.

Leanne said: "He absolutely loves it. It's his world to play for Leeds United. The club are great when we go to games, they have things in place for disabled people.

"But on the football side, we want to get into the community and raise awareness and funds.

"I will put my heart and soul into it to try to get Leeds on the map worldwide for disability football."

The junior disability team trains at the Ramgarhia Sikh Sport Centre, on Chapeltown Road, and training sessions cost £5.

Leanne says the team is less established than at other clubs such as Bradford City and she wants to gather more support for the young players.

She has set up a GoFundMe page to cover the costs of a football tour next summer, but says taking the team abroad will require a lot of planning to cover medical support, safety equipment and suitable accommodation.

Leanne said: "It would mean the world to the children to play against teams from other countries, it's a childhood dream.

"If as parents we can make that happen, it's a dream come true for us parents and the children.

"Little things like this have such an impact on a child's life. My oldest plays football, but Elliott can't just play like that - he can't be sent to any team."

The junior disability team, which has had support from players such as Pablo Hernandez and Ryan Edmondson, is coached by Leeds United Foundation's disability officer Anthony Hall.

The under 12s played a tournament in Halifax on Saturday and came first in the group and second overall, losing to Bradford City in the final.

Leanne said: "It absolutely broke one child's heart because we didn't win, but it's the best achievement we've ever had as a team of very mixed ability.

"Anthony puts all his time into it, he works unsocial hours to do what he does and it feels like he's a proud parent to all the children in the team."

Leanne is urging fans to support the children's dream to play abroad by donating to the GoFundMe page or by raising the club's profile through social media and fundraising.

She added: "We’d like more people to bring their children and suggest fundraising ideas.

"We have so many fans, more than 35,000 at Elland Road each week, so we'd love them to reach out and support us, giving the children the chance to play football and do something they love."

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