2.40pm 25 June 2023
England Deaf Football, League Championship Final at St George's Park
Farsley Celtic Deaf 0 St John's Deaf 3 (att 400)
I watched last year's deaf football championship final on TV, and made a mental note to try to get a ticket this year. Partly because it was a decent game, and also a chance to tick off the indoor pitch at St George's Park.
The rules of deaf football are no different to to 'normal' 11-a-side football. Players have to remove hearing aids or implants, and the referee uses hand signals rather than a whistle, but otherwise it's just the same.
This year's final featured the same two sides as in 2022, and was part of the FA's 'Disability Cup' weekend which also featured finals of blind, partially sighted, amputee, cerebral palsey and wheelchair competitions.
Farsley Celtic and London-based St John's had come through regionalised leagues and semi-finals to make it to the showdown at the FA's National Football Centre.
Last year Farsley triumphed 3-2, but there was no repeat this time as St John's ran out easy winners.
They scored all three goals before half time, and looked as if they could have scored more had it been necessary. Farsley had a late chance for a consolation but their 86th minute penalty was well saved.
The indoor pitch at St George's (officially 'pitch seven' and also known as the Sir Alf Ramsey Pitch) has around 250 seats along one side, with a viewing balcony above.
Like other similar indoor venues the atmosphere is a bit strange, and watching a match officiated without a whistle took a bit of getting used to. The standard of football though, especially from St John's, was good. Credit to the FA for making these finals a special occasion, and to BT Sport for showing them live on TV.
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