Story added: 1st July 2024

Norwich City CP win first FA Disability Cup

Sunday 30th of July 2024 saw Norwich City Community Sports Foundation’s Cerebral Palsy Football team head to St George’s Park for the FA Disability Cup CP Final.

An unbeaten league campaign (12 wins and two draws) saw the Canaries arrive as favourites in the cup final clash against Chelsea Foundation, who lifted silverware of their own earlier in the season, knocking City out in the semi-final of the National League cup on penalties.

The Canaries got off to a hot start thanks to a stroke of misfortune from the Chelsea defence and went on to double their lead and take a two-goal cushion into half-time.

Norwich continued their momentum into the second half, forcing another early goal due to a well executed press in the early stages to make it three.

A super-sub in the 40th minute by coach Darren Hunter paid immediate dividends to make it 4-0 before Chelsea responded well no more than five minutes later to claw one back.

City would restore their four-goal cushion just shy of 50 minutes, before the game opened right up. Two Chelsea goals either side of a dismissal for the Blues would make the game 5-3 heading into the closing stages, as the London side were far from out of the contest.

It would ultimately be a flying counter-attack from Norwich that would settle all nerves as they slotted home a sixth goal in the 57th minute to put on hand on the trophy. A fine stop by the Chelsea number one would draw a close to proceedings as all dressed in yellow and green were sent into bedlam at the sound of the full-time whistle, confirming a first FA Disability Cerebral Palsy Cup for Norwich City CP.

Head Coach Darren Hunter said:

“What an amazing achievement for this group of players. After the disappointment of last year, this was the perfect way to bounce back.

“I’m so pleased for them all and was so proud to see them lift the trophy.”

A huge congratulations to Darren Hunter, the players and everybody else involved with the Cerebral Palsy Football team. Another congratulations must also go to Chelsea Foundation for making a fantastic game of the final and helping to showcase the sport.

Watch the full highlights below: