There was a distinct buzz of excitement among  Stratford Special FC’s  players  after STISA presented them with orange beanie hats to match their shirts during their regular training session at Stratford High School last Friday.

The Specials whose playing kit is sponsored by the Vesuvio  Caffe in Union Street are very much on the up at the moment with 35 players including a number of girls, and they run two teams in the Stourbridge and District Ability Counts League based at the Portway Leisure Centre in West Bromwich competing in  7- a-side and 5-a-side matches respectively.

“This will give everyone a tremendous boost” said Chairman Martyn Brookhouse as the hats were distributed by his STISA counterpart Rob Maisey “and we are very grateful for STISA for their generous support.”

Rob Maisey added “This evening emphasises that STISA wishes to offer help and assistance to every level of the club, and it is humbling to see how much joy these hats have given to this wonderful group of players.”

And the Specials will be hoping that they will have more to celebrate next Friday as they have been nominated in the Senior Team of the Year Category at the District Council Sports Awards, with Martyn Brookhouse also being nominated in the Coach/PE Teacher Category.

STISA Chairman Rob Maisey with one of the Special team squad