Worcester City’s new disability team has received parliamentary approval after a visit from Nigel Huddleston MP.
Boyhood City fan Ryan Simpson, who was diagnosed with autism aged 16, set up the new inclusivity squad over the summer and they will play in the Worcestershire Inclusion Football League this season.
Simpson previously set up his own disability team and was invited to a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his community work.
He is now heading up Worcester’s newly-formed squad and Huddleston, the Conservative MP for Droitwich and Evesham who has served as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport since July 2025, enjoyed seeing the new team continue their preparations with a training session.
It was great to visit @WorcesterCityFc and hear more about the important work the club is doing both on and off the pitch.
Through @EntainGroup's 'Pitching In' programme, the club has received a £3,500 grant from the Trident Community Fund to help deliver inclusive football… pic.twitter.com/xiP5hH8kt4— Nigel Huddleston MP (@HuddlestonNigel) August 25, 2026
"It was great to visit Worcester City Football Club and see the work being supported through Entain’s Pitching In programme,” he said.
“Clubs like Worcester City are a real part of the community, bringing people together and giving supporters a strong sense of pride in their local area.
“Support for grassroots and non-league football really matters. It helps clubs improve their facilities, put down stronger foundations and make sure they are in a position to grow.
“Grassroots clubs are about far more than what happens for 90 minutes on a Saturday. They bring people together, create opportunities for young people, support volunteers and play an important role in strengthening local communities.
“I was pleased to hear more about the club’s plans and the difference this support is already making.”
Huddleston toured the Archdales facility during his visit and also took the opportunity to meet several of the club’s volunteers with the new season now in full swing.
Worcester’s men’s first team picked up their first win of the 2026/27 Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central campaign against Stamford at Sixways on Saturday in front of 599 spectators and they remain on the lookout for new players for the inclusivity side.
The project was boosted by a £3,500 grant from the Trident Community Foundation, which has awarded more than £750,000 to non-league clubs across the country for community projects since being established by Southern League partners Pitching In in 2020.
Worcester City owner Simon Lancaster said: “We are delighted to have been able to launch our disability team that fits so well with our football in the community goals.
“Ryan is such an enthusiastic and capable member of the City family, when he approached us we were delighted to be able to support him.
“We would like to place on record our thanks to Pitching in for supporting us with the start-up grant and also to Nigel Huddleson and his team for joining us at Archdales to launch this exciting initiative.”
Find out more about the Trident Community Foundation at https://www.entaingroup.com/sustainability-esg/social-impact/pitching-in/
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