'First' UK women's amputee football matches take place
Matches between Cambridge and Poland are said to be the first of their kind in the UK.
'First' UK women's amputee football matches take place
Left to right, Shelbee Clarke, Izzy Papandronicou and Marni Voak will be in the team taking on Poland
A women's amputee football side that was only established a few months ago is preparing to play the Polish national team in the first all-female matches of their kind in the UK.
Cambridge City FC Women's Amputee Team will meet Polish opposition in two games on Saturday and Sunday at the club's FWD-IP Community Stadium in Sawston.
Because there are no women's amputee football leagues in the UK, matches and training are generally mixed.
Team captain and former Amputee Lioness Izzy Papandronicou, 29, said that although the Polish side finished third at the Women's Amputee Football World Cup in 2024, "we can definitely face them".
Describing the sport, Papandronicou said: "It's seven-a-side instead of 11 and there are a few different rules between the two. The best one is that we don't have the offside rule so we love that one.
"But also, your crutches are an extension of your hand, so they count as a handball, so that makes things a bit more difficult."
The women's team was formed just months ago
She said meeting the Polish team would be a tough challenge.
"They're big opponents," Papandronicou said.
"They came third in the Women's World Cup in 2024 but we don't see it as something we can't face, like they're a challenge, but we can definitely face them.
"We're really excited to step out on the pitch and make history here at Cambridge City."
Player Shelbee Clarke, 31, said football had always been a "massive part of my life".
She said discovering other women amputees to play alongside had created a bond that was "stronger than most people's friendships".
She called her teammates "little legends" and said the weekend's fixtures would be "a history moment with our girls".
Cambridge City FC held a taster session for prospective amputee footballers and staged its first women's training session in May, attended by former Amputee Lionesses players.
Marni Voak, 19, another ex-Lioness from Hertfordshire, remembered that session and said "all of our newbies got right into it and enjoyed it".
"Although Poland this weekend is what matters, all we want to do from now is keep on building on to that.
"In the UK... with this being the first women's amputee football match... we want to get more people loving it as much as we do."
Phil Brasher said the club aimed to be all-inclusive
Phil Brasher, director of disability football at Cambridge City FC, said: "This club aims to provide football for all.
"It's taken 10 months from the start to get to where we are now - it's a very quick journey and we've gone a long way with it.
"These girls have been absolutely amazing. That's all I can say."
Football supporters from the Polish community in the city are also expected to attend the matches, which begin at 10:00 BST on Saturday and 10:30 on Sunday.