The Portsmouth FC Amputees team has continued to grow since being formed in 2015.
The local branch of solicitors Irwin Mitchell have been sponsoring the side right from the beginning, which led to the national firm backing the England Amputee Football Association Inclusive League this season.
This success of this partnership means Pompey in the Community (PitC) are now looking at potentially setting up a junior/development squad for the 2019/20 campaign.
Pompey’s side play in the Southern League and take on opposition from Arsenal, Brighton and Peterborough.
They have a fixture once a month from January and take on each club twice over the course of a season.
The Blues also compete in the National Cup, providing the opportunity to take on Everton, Manchester City, Newcastle and West Brom from the Northern League.
Next June, the senior team will head to St George’s Park – the home of English football – to face Everton in the finals of the FA Disability Cup.
This is another massive achievement, having lifted the League Cup at the end of last season to add to their League Two title.
The Pompey squad now boasts two players who were recently selected to appear for England at the Amputee World Cup in Mexico in October 2018.
"In the future, we want to create more opportunities for children and younger adults who are amputees and want the chance to play football."
PitC disability coordinator Phil Moody said: “To have Irwin Mitchell on board with their financial support is massive.
“They’re not just paying for a year – it’s more of a partnership and growing together, rather than just receiving a cheque and saying thank you.
“In the future, we want to create more opportunities for children and younger adults who are amputees and want the chance to play football.
“So now we’re creating a junior/development team and Irwin Mitchell are keen to grow the programme with us.”
TJ Yates has been appearing for Pompey for the past four seasons and said: “Knowing we’ve got that backing from Irwin Mitchell is good because it means we don’t have to fundraise in order to play the sport.
“Things like making bookings and sorting kit is taken care of, so we can focus on playing – and winning – games.
“The partnership between Irwin Mitchell and Pompey in the Community will see more possibilities to promote the sport and get more people involved, so hopefully we can have a senior and junior squad both competing.”
PitC run amputee training sessions for anyone aged 16 and over at Park Community School in Leigh Park from 7-8pm on Tuesdays.
For more information about the adult squad or new junior/development opportunities, please email phil.moody@pompeyitc.org.uk or call (023) 9272 8899 during office hours.
It's the #EFLDayOfDisabilities!
— Pompey ITC (@PompeyITC) December 3, 2018
Here's starting the day off with a massive shout out to our amazing @PompeyAmpFooty team!
Official Portsmouth Amputee FC sponsor: @irwinmitchell pic.twitter.com/4dqi56f3iB