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Regional Blind Team cement their position with the leaders for the Christmas break 

On Saturday 12th December 2009 the Middlesex & Home Counties Blind Team partook in the third set of league fixtures in the FA National Blind League in Hereford. The blind team is run through Middlesex County Football Association and represents the area encompassed by Middlesex and the Home Counties and is partially funded by the Football Association. The team provides regular coaching and fixtures for players in the region who are registered as B1 (Blind). The organising and running of the team is made possible in Middlesex through the tremendous support of Harrow based company Munnelly Support Services Limited in partnership with the Football Foundation and Sportsmatch.


Teams from Middlesex & Home Counties, West Bromwich Albion, Royal National College for the Blind, North West FC (Everton FC) and Worcester University descended upon the league venue at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford to play the next set of fixtures in the FA National Blind League. Taking part in a round-robin format, each team had the chance to play against each other and continue the team’s development from the coaching sessions delivered by highly qualified Football Association coaches. This is the first season that Middlesex have hosted the regional team and the team did themselves proud with encouraging performances in all their games.



The results and league table after the third set of fixtures is as follows:



NATIONAL BLIND FOOTBALL LEAGUE



MATCH RESULTS- SATURDAY 12th DECEMBER 2009



Worcester
0(0)
v
RNC
0(0)
In

Everton (Forfeit game)
0
v
WBA
1
Out

RNC
0(0)
v
Middlesex & Home C.
1(1)

David Clarke
Out

Everton
0(0)
v
Worcester
1(1)

Lee Greatbatch
In

WBA
1(1)

Darren Harris
v
RNC
3(2)

Dan English(3)
In

Worcester
0(0)
v
Middlesex & Home C.
3(0)

David Clarke(3)
Out

Everton
5(2)

Jonathan Gribbin(5)
v
RNC
1(0)

Dan English
Out

WBA
1(0)

Darren Harris
v
Middlesex & Home C.
1(0)

David Clarke
In

WBA
0(0)
v
Worcester
1(1)

Keryn Seal
Out

Everton
2(0)

Jonathan Gribbin(2)
v
Middlesex & Home C.
0(0)
In




LEAGUE TABLE



Team
Played
Win
Draw
Lose
For
Against
Points

Worcester
12
6
2
4
15
9
20

Middlesex & Home Counties
12
6
1
5
15
19
19

Everton
12
6
0
6 *
18
10
18

WBA
12
5
3
4
11
11
18

RNC
12
2
4
6
6
16
10


· Includes 5 forfeited (1-0) games

Leading Scorers - Jonathan Gribbin (18); David Clarke (14); Keryn Seal (12); Darren Harris (7);

Dan English (4); Simon Hill (2); Lee Greatbatch (1); Will Norman (1);

Adrian Snelgrove (1).



The Middlesex & Home Counties Blind Team run through Middlesex County Football Association is the exit route for players who are registered as B1 (Blind) to partake in regular training and fixtures during the season. Players who excel at this level will have the opportunity to progress further up the player pathway and ultimately play for the England national side. Training twice a month and with regular monthly fixtures squad members receive substantial contact time to aid with shaping individual players overall personal development.
The team currently trains at Talacre Community Sports Centre, Camden on Saturday’s between 4.30pm to 6pm. There are a healthy number of players currently registered with the team including players from the current England National team. There is no restriction on the number of players who can train and be involved with the team.

If you would like further information about the Middlesex & Home Counties Blind Team please call Jon Whittingham on 020 8515 6904 or email jon.whittingham@middlesexfa.com or email Stephanie.Gadd@kentfa.com