DOZENS of teams descended on Marlow yesterday for a huge football tournament – but everyone walked off the pitch as a winner.

Proud family members clapped and cheered on the junior, lady and men footballers during the first Berks, Oxon and Bucks Inclusive Football League to be played in south Buckinghamshire.

The monthly competition – held at the revamped Marlow Sports Club - is for people with physical and learning disabilities.

The juniors from Marlow train every Wednesday to practice ahead of their monthly cup-final.

And while it is one of the old sporting clichés in the book, this competition really is all about the taking part.

Marlow FC coach John Ayling said: “Win, lose or draw, it makes absolutely no difference.

"Obviously winning is great but the fact they’re taking part, bonding and playing as a team is great.

“It is as much for their parents as it isn’t an opportunity they normally get. Able-bodied children play in tournaments every week but this is the first time there’s been a structure like this in place for people with disabilities.

“It is probably the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I coached an under-15s team for six years but decided I wanted to do something different. So I went on a training course and loved what they were doing.

“The kids love it and to see their faces is brilliant. It is thoroughly rewarding and it’s not just the kids, it is the adults as well, you’re quite humbled and come away a better person.”

The club now hopes to expand by launching an under 16s side for children with disabilities – and is looking for more youngsters to join the ranks.

Parent Steve Keep, whose autistic son Nathan, 9, plays for the side, praised the coaching staff for giving the youngsters a new found confidence.

He said: “What John has done in a short space of time, to get children who are not normally accepted in mainstream football, is amazing.

“For our children, with all the problems they have, to see them playing a sport they enjoy, I can’t tell you how proud I am. They’ve come so far in such a short period of time – it’s brilliant.”

For more information about Marlow FC’s programme for children with disabilities, visit www.myfccolts.clubbuzz.co.uk or call John on 07799 530991.