SUNDERLAND FA Cup winner turned mayoral consort Micky Horswill rolled back the years and to the football pitch again to help raise awareness of players with disabilities.

Mr Horswill is known to fans for his part in Sunderland AFC's 1973 FA Cup win, and is currently helping to serve the city in a civic role as consort to this year's city Mayor Councillor Lynda Scanlan.

On a recent visit to the Stadium of Light, he met Justin Laidler and his son Shaun, 30, who has learning difficulties.

Mr Laidler helps run the South Tyneside Ability Football Club, based in Hebburn, where Shaun is one of 110 players aged from three to 53 who train every week, representing nine teams in leagues across the country.

To help raise awareness of disabled football and the achievements of players like Shaun, who represents the Northern Area (England) at the Special Olympics, Mr Horswill arranged a special match at the Beacon of Light, Foundation of Light facility.

He captained a team of former professionals including Gary Bennett, Darren Holloway and Peter Stronach, who were joined by Sunderland AFC directors Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven.

The Mayor Consort, Micky Horswill said: “I met Shaun and Justin at the Stadium of Light, and discovered what Shaun had to overcome to find the opportunities to play football, and then train and develop his talents to go on to play for the Northern Area (England) at the Special Olympics.

“As a former professional footballer who played at the highest level I know the hard work and commitment involved, and how remarkable Shaun and his teammate’s achievements are.

“I hope this game will help to highlight the opportunities out there for people with individual challenges and medical conditions to play football, and maybe even play for their country like Shaun.”

Justin Laidler from South Tyneside Ability Football Club said: “It’s great that as mayoral consort, Mickey is helping us to raise local awareness of disabled football, and the training facilities, help and support available.

“It’s not only training, we have disabled people of all of all ages playing in competitive matches across the country often appearing on the same pitches Sunderland play away matches at, before the game or at half- time.

“I’m obviously very proud of Shaun and very proud of all our players and hope this match will help encourage many other families to come forward to get involved.”

Shaun added: "I was really looking forward to the match, it's really important that more people get to know about disabled football."

Speaking about the event, Sunderland AFC’s supporter liaison officer, Chris Waters, said: “Ensuring that football is accessible to everyone is something that is very important to us.

" It was a pleasure to welcome Justin, Shaun and their team-mates to the club and we hope they enjoyed their experience playing at the Beacon of Light.”