A DEVOTED father has revived a Knutsford Downs Syndrome football team to cater to families across the region.

Andy Duff, a Wilmslow business director, has joined with other parents and various groups including the Cheshire FA to reboot Egerton Downs Syndrome football team, which began last year.

Andy, whose wife Julie volunteers for Cheshire Downs Syndrome Support Group, began working with Downs Syndrome charity DSActive almost five years ago with the aim to get more disabled people involved with football.

The couple have a nine-year-old son called Josh who has Downs Syndrome.

He said: “It is so enjoyable and rewarding running the team. It is often the highlight of my week, so it really is lovely doing it.

“Football is fun for the children, and it definitely has a competitive element which is also important. We might even go along to the annual festival which takes place in spring.

“The nearest group to the north west used to be Stoke. People used to come from all over the region. My son was the Captain there.

“There has been little clusters elsewhere but never anything in Cheshire, which is strange because we have places, big areas like Crewe.”

Andy gained help from the Cheshire FA, who pulled together professional clubs such as Crewe, Liverpool and Everton as well as grass roots clubs and a number of charities who discussed disabled footballs.

“Egerton was selected for its proximity and because it is a very active club in grass roots football. Before this there was nothing for Downs Syndrome in Cheshire, so it’s fantastic.”

“The main thing we are keen to do is grow as much as we can. We are getting players coming from Manchester and Liverpool so we are very lucky.

“If the numbers continue to grow then we will be able to split them into ages.

“The Cheshire FA has been so supportive of us. They have been unbelievable. It was highly subsidised to start with but Egerton as a tea, and the parents have now taken it on by themselves, which is great.”

The team is also run by Mark Edwardson and Matt Sproston.

Training takes place every Sunday from 4pm to 5pm.

For information contact Andy via andy.duff@me.com or call 07885 736500.