OCTOBER 2006 saw a fun football match on the Crowndale football pitches help fund a severely autistic little boy's therapy!

Since then, the Son Rise Cup has grown and grown in popularity as an event and took place on Sunday as Tavistock Community Football Club's first big function. With Heart Radio's 'angels' there in force, more than 50 special needs children and Adults from Tavistock and Newton Abbot graced the pitch of Langsford Park.

Organiser Allen Lewis told the Times: 'The families of our Special's came in force and tears of joy were shared as the Red and Blacks of Tavistock played the Canaries of Newton Soccability FC.

'Thanks to sponsorship from our wonderful local businesses, we gave the Ability Counts teams a day to remember with super World Cup balls as prizes for some individuals.

'As always in an event like this there are many stories to tell, with 600 men, women and children playing for their own Son-Rise Cups.

'My three moments to treasure were a lovely young woman called Rachel from Newton Soccability FC, wheelchair bound and severely disabled, who when she received the Special Award World Cup Ball, squeeled with joy and delight! Believe me it was truly humbling and a lot of happy tears were being shed!

'Second was the way the men's final was played. Terry Northam's lads were a credit to him, playing class football and deserved to win — what the Devon FA have said is it was a class event.

'Those lads looked fantastic in their white Respect Shirts and thoroughly deserved to win this prize.

'My third memory was a personal one as the match officials  who also were a credit, agreed that Danny Follett won the man of the match award , in the runners up team, Tavistock Tyres.

'Danny was the captain to hold this cup for the first time, and although his team lost, once again he was a credit on the pitch, with hard work and full commitment.'

Allen said the event had brought out the best in everyone.

'What a fantastic weekend of football fun by Tavistock Community Football Club, with a showpiece event sponsored and fully supported by the fantastic businesses of this smashing town.

Special needs football has arrived for sure and the Tavvy Specials are a cracking side!

'Thank you all,' said Allen.