Disability football team celebrates 20th year

The Raiders train on an artificial surface at the Gallagher Stadium in Maidstone

A football club for players with disabilities or mental health difficulties is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Maidstone United Raiders was set up in 2004, with just four members but now has more than 200, with "demand to join higher than ever".

Raiders manager Lorraine Humm got involved after finding opportunities limited when she was younger, so did not play until she was 18.

The Raiders, who train at The Gallagher Stadium, were the first to play on the pitch when it opened in 2012 to break it in for the first team.

Lorraine Humm said Maidstone's recent FA Cup run had seen demand to join rise significantly

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent, Ms Humm said: "We've had players go off to play in Football Golf at Euro Level and in England's Deaf Squad.

"Others have gone on to join the academy at Maidstone and one of them also mentioned using life skills gained from the club to get a job at a chemist.

"Some of the players do stewarding or sell programmes at the stadium to gain work experience."

One of the team's players is 23-year-old Charlie Lee-Amies from Tonbridge.

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent, he said: “I’ve been here a long time, seven years now. I'm really enjoying it and I've got a lot of friends here.

“Now I’ve got an internship doing home and garden services. I am enjoying it and driving a van!”

Hope Stevens said she enjoyed the social side of playing for the Raiders

Another Raiders player, Hope Stevens, said: “When I first started, I didn’t have a lot of confidence, but now my confidence is growing all the time.

“It’s not just about playing football, its meeting up with your friends and socialising.”

Her carer, Ray Bailey, said Hope rarely missed a session.

"I can see the happiness in her face," he said, adding: "On the way home she never stops talking about football.”

Ms Humm said demand had soared after the men's team's FA Cup run this season.

They also took some players to away games against Ipswich Town and Coventry City.

She said she intended to hold a party, presentation and mini tournament to celebrate the anniversary.