Mansfield Town Ability Counts Football Club

Mansfield Town Ability Counts Football Club was founded by Vernon Thompson in 2010 named Eden Mansfield Disability FC, Vernon a keen football fan who was working as a tutor for people with disabilities at the time, spotted there were very little opportunities for those with physical, learning and mental health disabilities to play football, so he set out to create an inclusive club where those who wanted to play football, or just benefit from the sport for exercise had the chance to do so in a safe, supportive and inclusive way.

Eden Mansfield Disability FC quickly became recognised in the local area for offering an all inclusive approach to football, growing steadily over the next 5 years, winning awards and accreditations along the way from The FA and England Football, in 2015 it was rebranded Sherwood Colliery Ability Counts FC, this allowed the team to grow further, training at new sites, adding further staff and winning Best Club at The FA National 2017 Respect Awards

Sherwood Colliery Ability Counts FC carried on making its name well known amongst The FA and England Football for truly inclusive football, winning The Nottinghamshire FA Grassroots Club of The Year Award in 2019 along with a personal award for Vernon Thompson for his outstanding contribution to disability football, keeping disability and mental health football at the heart of everything they do and also beginning to offer Wildcats training sessions for girls aged 5-11 who want to learn to play football.

Going from strength to strength, in 2022 Sherwood Colliery Ability Counts FC had the honour of becoming an affilated club with its local team Mansfield Town FC, also known as "The Stags", proudly rebranding to Mansfield Town Ability Counts FC we continue to provide truly inclusive football focusing on physical, learning and mental health disability football.