A FOOTBALL club's project to help open more doors for young people with disabilities has been celebrated as part of a special event.

Bolton-based AFC Masters — a football team for people with disabilities — opened a new Lottery-funded academy in September to help those with disabilities develop life skills and enjoy different job-related experiences.

And this week, parents, volunteers, the town's First Citizen and supporters of the club — which include many leading businesses — attended a celebratory event at Queens Park Pavilion Cafe.

It was held to recognise the" tremendous" effort put in by the students and all those that have contributed to helping set up the academy.

Administrator Robert Massingham said he was proud that the academy had provided so many opportunities form people with disabilities. Mr Massingham said: "The academy has been a great success. The members have enjoyed it and have attended every week.

"Often after the age of 19 there isn't much for people with disabilities to do and this was to give them different experiences and help them find a job."

The project received £9,500 of funding and runs twice a week at Castle Hill Young People’s Centre and the Sharples Wrestling Club.

Each member of the academy was given a track suit-style uniform and they took part in everything from pizza making to finding out more about different jobs as well taking part in physical activities including football.

Those running the academy are hopeful work placements may be offered at some of the businesses involved.

They group also tapped into their enterprising side, with plans to sell a line of beer to running speed dating events, which they sold in a Dragons Den style event.

Each student received a certificate stating they had completed the 11-week course and now the scheme is being evaluated to see how to take it forward, opening it up to others and about funding issues.

The "team" so impressed the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Martin Donaghy that he has invited them to the town hall.

For more information, and for businesses who would like to lend their support, should visit www.afcmasters.co.uk/

AFC Masters have year-round training sessions and games every Saturday morning run by a team of dedicated volunteers and coaches. The focus is always fun and friendship, and there are also two over 16s teams that play competitively in the Ability Counts league.

The club, which has an under 11s team, 11-16 team, a ladies team and a successful adults section, is always looking for new players, and new teams to play against.