‘Marlborough Thunderbolts’ celebrate first‑ever disability football match

Marlborough Youth Football Club (MYFC) is celebrating a major milestone after its pan‑disability team – the ‘Thunderbolts’ – played their first‑ever match and the club is now calling for more local young people to get involved.

Formed around a year ago, the ‘Thunderbolts’ squad of 10 pan‑disability players aged 10–16 travelled to the Swindon Town Dome on Wednesday (25 March) to take on Swindon Town Community – one of the very few other disability teams in the region. 

Parents, guests and club representatives turned out in support, including Jamie Hughes, Chair of MTFC, helping to create a positive, family atmosphere for the players’ first competitive outing in MYFC colours.

The evening was especially memorable as the Thunderbolts were presented with their brand‑new MYFC kit, which had arrived just two days before the match. The club kept it a surprise so the players could walk out in orange for the very first time on the night.

Team manager Mick Kerin said:
“Watching us run out in our new kit for our first game was fantastic. Every player has worked hard over the last year, and this match was a just reward for their enthusiasm, growing confidence, and progress”. 

Stuart Slater, MYFC Chairman and Inclusion Lead, added:
“MYFC is a genuinely community‑based club, and our disability football is a natural extension of that. We want every young person in and around Marlborough who loves football to feel that there is a place for them here and that we will always do our best to support their ability or additional needs.”

MYFC is now actively seeking new pan‑disability players aged 11–14 from Marlborough and the surrounding areas. Sessions are held at St John’s school on Wednesdays after school, and focus on fun, confidence, friendships and enjoyment of the game as much as skills and matches. Further fixtures between MYFC and Swindon Town Community are already being arranged. Stuart also wanted to thank Swindon Town Community and their coaches for their warm welcome and support in helping to make the evening such a positive experience for all the players”.

Further details about MYFC and its disability football offer are available on the club website (click here) and in particular their disability football page

For more information contact: Stuart Slater, Chairman & Inclusion Lead, MYFC at:  chair@myfc.club.

MYFC Thunderbolts are kindly sponsored by Marlborough College.