Charlton Deaf FC

There is now another Addicks team to support - the Charlton Athletic Deaf football team.

Charlton already run male and female teams from U9 level upwards, and now the Addicks can also boast a deaf football team thanks to a link-up with the former Bexley Deaf FC in October 2003.

Charlton Athletic Deaf FC currently compete in the Brockley and District League, playing their home matches at the Ladywell Arena on Sundays, although they have also played at the club's Sparrows Lane training ground in New Eltham as well.

The deal stemmed from coaching carried out by the Charlton community scheme.

Explained community scheme disability co-ordinator Barry Simmons: "Bexley had been receiving coaching and taking advantage of the community scheme's facilities for some time.

"They then decided to take the next step to become the official Charlton Deaf football team, and have now been given a Charlton strip to play in."

Bexley Deaf FC was founded in July 1997 before joining up with the Addicks six years later.

There are more than 200 youngsters with impaired hearing in Greenwich borough alone.

Charlton Deaf FC manager Marcel Hirshman said: "It's very pleasing to get the support from a Premiership club, especially one that believes in community development and growth.

"I look forward to working and being part of Charlton and developing the new team to encourage more deaf players to play football."

He added: "With the support of Charlton, Charlton Deaf FC should grow into a side to be considered as the team to beat, with a h4 development base covering South East London and even further afield, and encouraging youth and women's teams as well."

Charlton Athletic Deaf FC squad:

Ademola Aderibigbe, Ayub Ali, Ugur Canatan, Derek Chase, Jason Coombes, Stephen Draper, Wayne Fontenard, Aeron Glidewell, Jacky Hill, Marcel Hirshman, Kabwe Kabosha, Richard Kennard, Jermaine Kinsman, Jamie Martin, Shuhel Miah, Daniel Miller, David Nelson, Jonny Nelson, Tom Platt, Daniel Simmonds, William Stone, Jason Taylor, Ramon Woolfe.