Young disabled football fans are enjoying the beautiful game in Carlisle, thanks to a new group helping them find their shooting boots.

The Cumbria Frame Football team gives children with cerebral palsy the opportunity to take part in the game. Despite only being established in January, players are already showing a keen eye for goal at the city’s Yewdale Community Centre.

“My stepson, Oliver, has celebral palsy and he’s football daft,” coach Chris Dunn told the News & Star .

“We decided to try and set up a team. There was enough interest from other people and here we are.”

Players meet once a fortnight, where they take part in games and drills.

“It’s something that’s been in the pipeline since before Christmas,” explained Jackie Hayhow, coach for Gillford Park and project support officer at Active Cumbria.

They got in touch with Gillford Park and asked about setting something up.

“It’s been taking place every fortnight as a trial session and we’re in our fourth of six sessions now, so hopefully it can keep going, especially as Chris and Gareth are currently doing their qualifications.

“It’s the only thing of its kind in Cumbria.”

Five-year-old Oliver McNabb was one of those finding the back of the net.

“The best thing about it is scoring lots of goals. My favourite player is Alexis Sanchez,” the Arsenal fan said.

Since the sessions got underway, Jackie said the response from parents has been fantastic.

“They’ve all said that they’ve noticed a difference in the children's stamina, not just with a football but in day-to-day life as well.

“They’ve come on leaps and bounds since we first started. At first the ability for some of them was quite limited, but now they’re kicking the ball well.

"Their ability has definitely improved.”

Ray Sempill, football development officer (inclusion) at the Cumberland FA, added: “A lot of the children love football and they were frustrated that they couldn’t play.

"It’s something that we’d like to develop further and we might look at setting up a team in different parts of Cumbria.”