Well Lane Warriors FC: A Trip to Remember with Your Tour LLS

Well Lane Warriors Football Club is an organisation in Northern Ireland that provides a place to play football for children and young adults with additional needs. Well Lane Warriors FC promotes fitness, positive mental wellbeing, and equality in their community by making sports accessible for young people of all abilities. Their efforts have made sure that children and young people with additional needs receive the same opportunities as their peers. From weekly footballing sessions, playing in tournaments, and trips away from home, the positive difference they’ve made to their community is something to be admired.

That’s why we were made up to see they had a great time on their trip to Liverpool with Your Tour LLS. Here’s how their stay with us panned out.

Day One: From Belfast to Anfield

After landing at John Lennon Airport, the group made their way to Anfield Stadium, home to the champions of the Premier League, Liverpool FC. Here they went on a tour of the legendary stadium. They stood pitchside, walked down the player’s tunnel with the iconic This is Anfield sign, then took a stroll through the LFC museum to admire the Premier League trophy and the European cup.

Training Like the Pros

The next stop was Heron Eccles Playing Fields for a top-tier training session with a UEFA-licensed coach. For a grassroots team, this was a great opportunity to train under elite guidance. The energy, teamwork, and skills on show proved how much it was appreciated.

Next came a trip to the city centre for a bite to eat and an evening playing Augmented Reality tenpin bowling at Gravity Max Liverpool. The rest of the night was spent at LLS HQ, winding down and using our on sight facilities, playing pool, ping pong, or having a crack at FIFA on the Playstation.

Game Day

In the morning they had a fixture against the Liverpool FC Foundation’s SMF Inclusion team. Under the umbrella of the LFC Foundation, the Steve Morgan Foundation’s (SMF) inclusion program provides sporting opportunities for young people with additional needs. This meant that Well Lane Warriors got the opportunity to play a friendly against LFC’s own all-ability team who compete in the Liverpool County FA’s Ability Counts League.

That afternoon the squad headed down to Wolverhampton to watch a live Premier League fixture at Wolves’ Molineux Stadium. The 4 goal thriller of Wolves vs Leeds ended 3-1, with Leeds United coming back from 1-0 down to score 3 goals away from home. An exciting watch for everyone regardless of who they support, watching a live Premier League fixture is a memory everyone can look back on fondly.

The evening ended back at LLS HQ to get ready for their journey home the next day. 

Day Three: One Last Match and a Fond Farewell

Before they set off, the Well Lane Warriors had another friendly, this time against Woodlands FC. They played at Flint United’s ground, the Essity Stadium in Wales. The 3,000 capacity stadium saw Warriors and Woodlands play a competitive game in a friendly atmosphere as a great sendoff before they headed home.

Thanks to Well Lane Warriors

The Warriors FC are an inspiring organisation, run by volunteers, who work hard to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for young people with additional needs. They make sure every player gets an equal chance to grow, play, and succeed. Their passion and sense of community is a reminder that football is for everyone, and we hope to have them back again soon.