FOOTBALL with an emphasis on fun and friendship is an ethos that has served AFC Masters well in the decade since it was set up.

The disability club was the brainchild of founding members Aaron Kearsley and Dale Kellett, who have worked alongside Bolton Council's Iain Massingham to turn their dream into a reality.

From Aaron and Dale's initial penned drawings of a club badge and kit, AFC Masters has snowballed and now has more than 100 members playing in teams of all age groups and ability.

Their open age and under-16s teams play monthly matches in the Lancashire FA Ability Counts League in Preston.

While AFC Masters also have junior teams, ranging in age from four to 11, and a women's team that all train together at their base in Horwich on Saturday mornings and Monday evenings.

Demand for places is such that organisers are appealing for more volunteers to help with coaching, as well as behind the scenes.

"We are looking to develop further, to put on more coaching sessions, but to do that we need more coaches and volunteers to help us," said Iain, who juggles his duties as AFC Masters general manager with his day job for Bolton Council as leisure co-ordinator for children with disabilities.

"Anyone interested in coaching a side are given full training, as well as kit and equipment.

"The club is able to pay for volunteers to go on accredited training courses, and they would not be left alone just to get on with it.

"Every coach is allocated a couple of assistants to help them, while any volunteers that don't want to be in charge of a team could instead help out as an assistant."

Any volunteer who takes charge of a new team at AFC Masters will not have to look too far for inspiration about just what is possible.

As well as competing in the Ability Counts League locally, the club has enjoyed success at different tournaments up and down the country.

Chief among them is the National Disability Football Tournament, which is held every year in Harrogate in July.

"Last year we took six teams to Harrogate and came home with five trophies," said Iain, proudly.

"We even have an exhibit devoted to the club at the National Football Museum in Manchester.

"The display, which tells the story of AFC Masters, was given to us as a prize after one of our players scored a 'worldie' that won a goal-of-the-season competition."

But success at AFC Masters is not measured solely by results.

"Our motto is 'Fun, Friendship and Football', and I would say the social side of things is just as important as anything that happens on the football pitch, if not more so," added Iain.

"Aaron and Dale, are a good example. They were only 13 when they came up with the idea for the club, and after coming to me with scribblings of an idea for a club badge and kit nearly 11 years are go they both still play together at the club to this day.

"Friendships are made at AFC Masters that will last a lifetime, and that does not just go for the players, but for their families, coaches and volunteers as well."

To find out more about joining AFC Masters or volunteering for the club, call Iain on 07538 275198 or email him at iain.massingham@bolton.gov.uk. You can also follow the club on Twitter at @AFCMasters