A FOOTBALL team has celebrated two years of helping people with learning disabilities – and is now looking to expand its activities.

When the Oxford City Casuals was set up by Oxford City Football Club two seasons ago, organisers hoped to attract about a dozen members.

But since then the club has seen its membership quadruple. It now has more than 50 members, aged eight to 42.

Sarah and Peter Simmons, from Great Haseley, near Thame, take three of their children, who have varying degrees of learning disability, to train with the Casuals every Sunday.

They said Katie, 16, Alison, 13, and Matthew, 11, had become much more confident, sociable and happy since they joined the club.

Mrs Simmons, 41, said: “It’s good for us too, as we get to meet up with other parents who have children with similar special needs.

“There isn’t much for kids with special needs to do in Oxford. A lot of them just sit in their bedrooms with nothing to do. But my kids can’t wait to go to training.

“Every morning before we go they are up early and raring to go.

“Being a part of the Casuals team has made a great difference to our family all round.”

The club is now planning to offer courses in areas such as cooking, health and safety, and advice on further educational opportunities.

City managing director Colin Taylor said it had always had a policy of “more than just football”.

He said: “Oxford City will be giving their Casuals even more opportunities to increa-se their involvement at the football club by taking part in the Oxford Casuals Active scheme.

“The scheme is to be launched in the near future with activities focusing on social enjoyment and education.”

Celia Angel, of Milwood End, Long Hanborough, takes her 19-year-old son Joshua to training. He has autism and global developmental delay, a disorder where children do not develop as quickly or as predictably as norma.

She said: “At school our kids wouldn’t get picked for football even though they loved the sport. Here everyone gets a chance and a game.”

Andrea Harvey, from Lenthal, Bletchingdon, takes her son Jake, 13, who also has global developmental delay.

She said: “I can talk to the mums here about things I wouldn’t normally with my other friends.”