We worked together with the Sussex Disability Football League to bring The FA People’s Cup, a national 5-a-side competition, back to Culver Road.  

The tournament is run in partnership with BBC Get Inspired and is completely free to enter and welcomes male, female and disability players across ten categories.

The First Round took place across the country over the weekend of 23-25 February, with twenty two teams - an increase on last year - competing in the disability category here at our headquarters in Lancing. 

Teams were categorised into three divisions: Premiership, Championship and Division 1, in conjunction with the Sussex Disability Football League format. 

Kicking-off the day was the Division 1 category with teams playing each other once in a league format. A new team, Jubilee Hub, formed especially to take part in the day’s events performed well, with all teams a pleasure to watch.

Crawley Town Flyers won the division, proudly wearing their brand new kit that was kindly donated from Crawley Town Community Foundation, and progress into the next round.

The largest division of the day, the Championship, saw eleven teams split into two groups with the winner of each group progressing into a final, and the group runner’s-up competing in a third and fourth place play-off.

Lawn Court and Albion in the Community All Stars met each other in the third and fourth place play-off, which after a 0-0 draw went to the lottery of penalties. Lawn Court goalkeeper Matt Salt was the hero in the shootout making a number of fantastic saves as his team took third place with a 3-1 win.

The final was an all The Village FC affair with both teams winning their respective groups; the two teams battled it out in an entertaining final with The Village LCB earning victory to the next round. 

The final set of fixtures saw the Premiership category take to the field in a round robin format. There were some exciting and tense encounters, with notable sportsmanship on display.

A special mention must go to Albion in the Community team who chose to finish their match vs. Lewes CFC early when, with minutes left on the clock, a Lewes player was forced off through injury leaving them a player short.

Lewes CFC went on to accumulate the most points and top the table which sees them progress into the next round which takes place on Sunday 25 March at Goals in Wimbledon. 

(A selection of photos from the match can soon be found on Facebook - further photos via Simon Roe Photography)

To find out more about Disability Football in Sussex please contact Development:

Development 
T: 01903 766855
E: Development@SussexFA.com