A TEAM of footballers with learning disabilities netted a national title in Birmingham.

The Ellesmere Port, Chester and Neston Special Olympics Group took part in the five-a-side National Special Olympics Tournament.

The squad – comprising Chester’s Andrew Eaton, Declan Kerry and Martyn Langford; Ellesmere Port’s Jonathan Butler, Kieran Hinde and Thomas Mathers; Sebastian Pelayo of Frodsham and Stuart Jones of Rhyl – won all eight of their matches to seal the victory.

They have now qualified for next year’s Special Olympics GB 2013 National Summer Games in Bath.

The footballers represented the Northwest in the Birmingham competition but train each week and affiliate with the branch of Ellesmere Port, Chester and Neston Special Olympics group.

They will now need to train hard and develop over the coming months while also raising the funds to attend the Summer Games next year.

Ellesmere Port, Chester and Neston Special Olympics offers year-round sports training for athletes with learning disabilities in football, boccia, netball and tenpin bowling.

Twenty-two athletes and six coaches will attend the National Games in 2013 and the group must raise in excess of £15,000 to pay for athletes and coaches to attend.

For further information about the Ellesmere Port, Chester and Neston Special Olympics group and their programme, email them at epnso@hotmail.co.uk.