The second half of the Staffordshire FA Ability Counts League season was a great success, with a total of six teams competing across the youth divisions and 12 teams competing in the adult groups.

The season saw some fantastic displays of football, both individually and collectively, with each team battling until the very last fixture of the season for that all-important league trophy.

With consistently strong performances and not a single loss throughout the season, Stoke City FC Firsts were crowned the undefeated league champions of the Adult Premiership division, with Lichfield City following closely behind as the league runners-up.

The Adult Championship division presented a much tighter contest, with only one point separating the league winners, Stoke City FC Development, and the runners-up, Able Too United and Wilnecote Unicorns Celtic.

Stoke City U16s followed suit by winning the league trophy of their division without conceding a single goal across the season. The rest of the table demonstrated how close the competition was, with just one point separating the runners-up, Wilnecote Unicorns Youth, from their opponents, Able Too Albion U16s and Lichfield City Liberty U16s.

To contribute to the existing league trophies awarded to teams, a new award has been introduced this season; the Martin Wood Club of the Year Award.

Martin Wood was a devoted player of Able Too United FC, being one of the team’s very first players since its establishment some 20 years ago.

In 2017, Martin tragically and unexpectedly passed away - a huge loss for Able Too United and the Ability Counts League.

To honour his memory, the Martin Wood Award, voted for by teams, will be awarded to the team that has been the most respectful and shown the greatest display of sportsmanship throughout the season.

Martin’s parents, Jan and Pete (pictured with winners, Stafford Town FC), came along to the last league fixture to present the award. Jan and Pete have played a vital role in the development of the team and have committed a lot of their time and effort into not only supporting the team, but into the provision of activities for all people with disabilities across East Staffordshire.

The Martin Wood Award will act as a reminder of the mark Martin has left both on the team and the league. Big congratulations to Stafford Town FC for winning this prestigious award.

To find out more about Staffordshire FA’s Disability Football activities, please CLICK HERE or email support@staffordshirefa.com