Sun Shines as Trust Sponsor Devon Ability Counts Tournament

The sun shone for Devon Ability Counts last weekend, as the Trust sponsored the first tournament of 2024 at the headquarters of the Devon County FA.

The Exeter City Supporters' Trust were proud to sponsor the Ability Counts tournament at Coach Road, Newton Abbot last Sunday.

"I'd like to thank all of the organisers, the referees, the coaches and, most of all, the players who made us feel most welcome," said Steve Chown, Trustee and Community Working Group Lead. 

"To bring together so many players from all over Devon with a disability to play football is a huge achievement. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day with some excellent football, played in great spirit."

The tournament saw over 400 players representing 49 teams from 14 different clubs playing throughout the day, including nine different Exeter City sides which are run by Exeter City Community Trust.

Trust and Club Chair, Nick Hawker, with Devon Ability Counts Chair, Paul Baldwin.

Paul Baldwin, Chair of Devon Ability Counts, spoke at length with Trust Chair, Nick Hawker, about the strength of the league, which boasts over 650 registered players competing across six tournaments and is the largest of its kind in the country.

"It was lovely to welcome the Exeter City Supporters' Trust to our March tournament," says Paul.

"The league is going from strength to strength each year, which is helped by a good committee and good relationships within the teams.

"Alongside the competitiveness of football, the league tries to instil an environment where enjoying playing football is the key and where no one with a disability is excluded."

The nine teams representing Exeter City performed brilliantly on the day, not least the ECFC Prem Ability 1 team who won six games without conceding a goal and, in doing so, have earned themselves a place in the County Cup Finals. 

Danny Harris, the head of services for ECCT said: "Our thanks to the Devon County FA for hosting the tournament and also to the Exeter City Supporters' Trust for sponsoring this event.

"Every single player involved here at Exeter City Ability Counts is so proud to wear the badge out on the pitch, so to have the owners of our club sponsoring this tournament made it that extra bit special for all involved."