Jersey learning disabilities squad triumph in debut tournament

Monday 07 August 2023

Jersey's Learning Disabilities Football Squad stormed to success as they claimed the runner-up slot in their debut 11-a-side tournament in the UK.

The squad took to the Pontefract Colliery FC grounds in West Yorkshire in the last weekend of July, playing against teams representing England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the Home International Championship.

The event, which took place on Saturday 29 July, began with a friendly 7-a-side round-robin tournament, plus flag-bearing and the playing of national anthems.

Pictured: the opening ceremony, with Jersey's LD team proudly carrying the flag.

The team's accurate passing and shooting was rewarded with a 3-0 win in their opening game against Scotland – Fabio Cerviera scoring once and Seb Leonard a brace.

In the second game against Wales, Wilson Ibbet scored after just 18 seconds – the fastest goal of the tournament – however Wales levelled the match just before half-time.

In the second half Jersey pressed the Welsh defence, and substitute Charlie Quenault was rewarded with two goals while Wilson Ibbet added a fourth for Jersey to result in a 4-0 win.

After lunch, despite two spirited performances, Jersey suffered narrow defeats to Northern Ireland (the eventual winners) and England.

Pictured: all teams pose together at the end of the tournament.

Jersey finished second, on goal difference, out of the five teams, which coaches Gary Norman and Mark Jones said "exceeded [their] initial expectations given the lack of experience of the players in 11-a-side and associated rules, such as off-side."

On Sunday 30 July, Jersey, England, Scotland and Wales further completed for the British Isle Cup.

Over the course of the three games, the Jersey goalkeepers, marshalled by David Collingwood, did not concede a single goal, while all the strikers scored.

In the decider against England, who had also won both of their previous games, Jersey took the lead from a goal scored by Fabio Cerviera who neatly found the bottom corner of the English goal.

The second half continued with both teams creating chances before a Seb Leonard long shot added a second for Jersey.

Just before the final whistle, Wilson Ibbet, who was later awarded the Player of the Tournament for Jersey by the officials, sealed the win with a third goal.

The Jersey Learning Disabilities football team has been coached by Gary Norman for 20 years, and last year he was nominated for a Pride of Jersey award for his "inspirational" voluntary work with players who have Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism.