Terry – “To say this has been life-changing is an understatement”
Since joining our disability football programme about a year ago, Terry has gone from strength to strength.
Terry, from Eastbourne, was born without feet 40 years ago.
He grew up in East Sussex and quickly fell in love with football, even though he only had the chance to play mainstream football against fully-abled people.
“I’ve always loved football,” Terry tells us, and he took every opportunity he had to play as a youngster.
As an adult, Terry moved to Sierra Leone for work. During his time there, he was also heavily involved in local football.
Terry was based in Sierra Leone for 10 years – an experience which he describes as an “eye-opener” – where he saw first-hand the effects of the ebola pandemic and two presidential elections.
On his return to the UK, Terry decided it was time to look for disability football opportunities and he came across the Foundation’s sessions in Eastbourne.
“When I came back to the UK I just wanted to get involved with football straight away,” Terry said.
“I found the Foundation, they invited me along, and I played for the first time at an open day last year.”
Terry instantly knew he’d found the right group for him. He joined up right away and started playing at the Foundation’s Saturday sessions in Eastbourne for a time, before soon progressing into the elite training camps in Lancing.
Despite his relatively short time with the Foundation so far, Terry can’t speak highly enough of his experiences.
“To say this has been life-changing is an understatement,” he said.
“Being able to play football with people who can understand me better has been fantastic.
“The coaches, the club, the staff have all been absolutely amazing. They make you comfortable to be yourself, comfortable to not be embarrassed.”
Terry has taken serious inspiration from his coaches, even going so far as to start working towards his own coaching badges.
“The coaches have been so good they’ve encouraged me to look at coaching qualifications myself. I’m now working towards my UEFA C badge, which I’m thoroughly enjoying.
“The impact the Foundation has had on me has been brilliant, and I can’t speak more highly of everyone involved.”
Phil Broom, Disability Football Lead at the Foundation, was full of praise for Terry.
“Terry is such a fantastic character,” Phil said, “He’s a top player and he brightens up every session he’s in.
“In his short time with us he’s shown amazing dedication and a brilliant attitude, and every coach speaks so highly of him.”
Terry was part of a group of players who were invited to the Amex Stadium to help launch a fundraising campaign with British Airways.
British Airways, which is known for its existing close relationship with the club and a supporter of the Foundation through its Gatwick-based subsidiary BA Euroflyer, has committed to match all donations from 9 April to 16 May – up to the value of £10,000.
“Being invited to this shoot at the Amex was lovely. It shows to me the effort the Foundation are making to include everyone,” Terry said.
“It was a privilege for me to help, and I was glad to do it because of all the tremendous support the Foundation has given me.
“It was great seeing the media room, the changing rooms, sitting in the dugout. What a feeling.”
“I would appreciate Albion fans donating to this great cause. Without the donations of kind-hearted fans, members of the public, and local businesses, none of this would be possible.
“I’ve met people at the Foundation for whom this is their whole life. This is their chance once every week or two to get out and play football.
“This is a great cause, and anything you can donate will really be appreciated. The smiles the Foundation puts on our faces, the experiences we have, it’s all so important.”