CP United enjoying major growth in England's north west

Charity supports those with cerebral palsy and acquired brain injuries

Players travel from miles around to reach rewards of taking part

Sometimes it's not clear how much a community craves an opportunity until it’s there to be fully embraced. The appetite CP United FC have been met with in the North West of England is case in point.

Now in its fifth year, the club are providing an environment for those with cerebral palsy (CP) or acquired brain injury to play the game, and its proved so popular co-founder Michelle Wilcock and her colleagues are “working round the clock” to keep up.

“It’s football, it’s for everybody,” she told FIFA.com. “The environment, the development opportunities and the way it’s all structured and run are key whether they’ve got a disability or not.”

“They’re just players like anyone else who wants to play football,” explained Wilcock, who previously worked in disability football coaching at Manchester United and the FA. “So why shouldn’t they have opportunities to play and develop just like someone who doesn’t have CP or another disability.”

While also offering support off the pitch for players and families, CP United have created a hub for a thriving football community, backed by a positive mindset.

“We never look at what they can’t do," Wilcock said, "just: what can this player do? And that extends to them as people, too.”

Formed originally to help to fill gaps in the FA’s own offering of CP specific football – providing access for under-12s and adults – prior to a strategy change by the association, CP United now cover an area of 2,500 square kilometres and have nine sessions across the region four days a week. With Manchester as their main hub, players travel from miles around to take part and the benefits speak for themselves.

“It builds resilience, it creates ownership and it’s empowering,” Wilcock outlined. “It’s their game, it’s their development and we’re just here to help and support that. They can take it where they want to take it.”