A FOOTBALL squad of people with learning disabilities put their best feet forward on a sponsored walk to thank their coaches.

The Oxford City Casuals was set up by Oxford City Football Club two seasons ago, with organisers hoping to attract about a dozen members.

Since then the club has seen its membership quadruple and it now has more than 50 members, aged eight-42.

The Casuals attribute their massive growth to the expert coaching they have received from Oxford City FC.

So to say thanks, the players set off on a sponsored walk around the grounds of the club on Sunday, raising more than £1,000 to support its application for a £1.9m redevelopment grant from the Football Foundation and Sport England.

Stephen Fontaine, a club volunteer, said: “If this bid is successful, the club will be able to expand the stadium and provide more facilities for the Casuals Active Scheme.

“This project is a new venture which will introduce educational and social activities for the team and is designed to promote an ethos of ‘more than just football’.”

The bid would allow the club to build five-a-side pitches, netball pitches, and allow it to offer classes in things like martial arts and self-defence.

Mr Fontaine added: “The walk shows the Casuals aren’t expecting anything for free and want to do their bit to contribute to the club.

“I have seen how the club has changed people.

“Some kids will come in and barely speak to anyone but then, within a few sessions, they will be running around, all guns blazing. It’s amazing.”

Carol Brookes, a teacher at Lord Williams’s School, in Thame, takes her 10-year-old son Toby along to train with the casuals every week.

Toby suffers severe speech problems, but Ms Brookes said the club had brought him out of his shell.

She added: “Coming here has had huge benefits in Toby’s schooling as well.

“He has been able to participate more fully, his skills have increased and he’s taking more of a lead.

“It’s absolutely brilliant.”