Merseyside has won its first football trophy of the season.

But it is not a new addition to the trophy room at Anfield or Goodison Park.

Liverpool's disability football programme has picked up an award for being the country's best.

The scheme has so far produced three England captains and 11 internationals.

FA commendation

More than 100 players of all ages from across a range of disabilities take part in the scheme.

The project is run by the council, the county FA, Merseyside Sport and Everton.

The FA has now commended it as the best disabled programme in the UK.

Its football development officer Steve Swinnerton said the scheme was going from strength to strength.

"We started running introductory participation sessions and now go right through to a mini league and matches at club level with Everton, as well as being an FA centre of excellence," he said.

The FA is now using the programme as a pilot and hopes to introduce it into other parts of the country.