‘It’s more than what happens on the pitch’ – how Inclusive Football Club is changing lives

Barton Inclusive Football Club was founded in 2019 to give a space and opportunity for individuals with additional needs or long term mental health difficulties.

The Club is made up of more than 300 players and 50 volunteers and we headed along to the training session with their pan-disability teams and walking football team to meet the inspirational and dedicated people behind this successful club.

Founder Sophie Bartup explained how it all began and what they’re achieving: “While at the University of Lincoln I was really lucky to volunteer at a local disability football club which really shaped my philosophy and understanding of sport. I’ve always been very lucky to have the opportunities within sport that have helped shape the individual I am so when I moved back home after finishing university I was really keen to continue my involvement within disability football.

“At that time there wasn’t any within Barton so with support from the community and existing clubs we set up Barton Inclusive Football Club, initially as a pilot to see if there was a need for it and we very quickly realised we needed to increase our number of teams and increase our number of volunteers.

“We have grown and grown to 16 teams and we continue to grow. What’s really special now is that we have a pathway for our players to become coaches and volunteers. We provide a bespoke, structured pathway that’s person centred to allow that individual to give back and utilise their skills, we embrace them for who they are and we’ve had some real success stories.”

She said: “BIFC was set up for individuals who are neurodiverse and individuals who have physical disabilities to play in a meaningful football environment. It’s more than what happens on the pitch with the football, it’s what happens off pitch too. The friendships that have developed, the increase in individuals’ confidence, the increase in self esteem.

“For us, not only do we see developing footballers, we see confidence growing in the development of them as people as well.”

Sophie explained how important and successful the club is within Lincolnshire: “BIFC is a volunteer-led club, from admin to coaches that all volunteer. We have such a diverse workforce that all contribute and give their time to ensure that Barton has a space for individuals with additional needs.

“Within Lincolnshire there is a pan-disability football league and we have four teams that play within there and two teams that play within the South Yorkshire league. We are the plate champions from the Lincolnshire County Cup and enter a number of pan-disability events across the region.

“We host the biggest Inclusive Football event in the Humber region with the Liam Jinks cup every September. Liam was a young man that lived in residential care in Barton and sadly passed away at age 18 so we honour Liam’s memory by bringing together Inclusive Football clubs to showcase the power of inclusion and what can be achieved when football is used as a tool to help combat health inequalities within communities.”

Skye Lothian joined the club in 2023 after a seven year break from football training. She recently won the Disability Sport Yorkshire young achiever of the year award.

“Barton Inclusive Football Team has given me many more opportunities. I’ve been in a couple of girls teams but struggled with the lack of inclusiivity, so I left when I was younger but I’ve always loved football and what sparked my interest to start again was the women’s Euros and World Cup successes,” she said.

“I’d always missed it but was missing it more as women’s football began to get bigger. I have autism and ADHD and now I’m with people like myself and everybody gets each other and that’s what the club is about, the club is about accepting everybody for who they are.

“It has definitely improved my life and without a doubt I’d recommend it, we are a club for everybody and I’d be lost without it now. I now coach teeny tots on a Saturday – two to six-year-olds and they are amazing. It’s rewarding giving back and I love seeing how they are growing.”

Gary Davies volunteers as a coach for the club. Gary participated in the Paralympics for England and was captain of the Cerebral Palsy team as well as coaching at Scunthorpe United. He said: “It’s great to give back now, I’m very lucky with the opportunities football brought my way. There’s some good footballers here and it’s about trying to get them to believe in their own ability.

“One of the hardest things in any sport is thinking you’re not good enough and they are good enough. It’s about giving them that belief and the tools to grow.”

James Thew joined the walking football team last year. He said: “It’s a lovely group, I’d recommend it to anyone over 50. I live on my own and its helped me immensely, it gives me something to do and I’m getting out and meeting new people.”

Zoe Pexton lives in Withernsea and travels for the team. “It’s worth travelling 45 mins here and 45 mins back for this group, we feel at home here and by time we leave we’ve done exercise and had a right laugh,” she said.

“My partner plays in the athletic team, I came along to watch him initially and the women’s team was mentioned. I didn’t want to come on my own and get anxious so I asked my mum if she fancied coming along too as we’ve got mental health that runs in the family and we’ve had down days so we both came along, now we absolutely love it, we feel at home here.

“Sophie is so passionate about this club, she supports everyone, it’s so much fun, I didn’t know how to kick a ball when I started and now I’m into it and I love it, its not just learning football it’s also making friends on the team.”

Rachel Woods volunteers for the club after being on the side lines every week cheering on her son and the team. “My son Callum plays for them and they asked me to volunteer,” she explained.

“It’s good fun, it’s nice meeting people and helping. I help with the subs and do a bit of photography too.” Callum added: “I train every Monday and play for Inter Barton and Pumas, I’ve met new friends and love football and I enjoy competing too.”

Stu De Meyer lost 57% of his brain after a fall caused a massive blood clot when he was a baby. “I have very limited vision in my left eye, it paralyzed my right arm and right leg that,” he explained. “That was 61 years ago, so I’ve never known anything else. I’ve got used to it and problems have never stopped me, I played in goal for a few years and now my son plays in goal.

“I was coaching and still contribute to that and I still play too. It’s great for people that don’t get out as much and are struggling to meet people. We get together, have a laugh and enjoy the sport at the same time.”

Are you a Community group or Community space providing services, events or activities for the residents of your area? Contact donna.clifford@reachplc.com