FOOTBALL crazy teenager Craig Blenkinsop finally found a team to play with after the Evening Press highlighted his plea.

Craig, 15, had almost given up hope of finding a side that would take him - because he only has one leg.

Now he is playing regularly with other disabled youngsters at special "soccability" training sessions run by Copmanthorpe Football Club.

His mother, Wendy, 38, said: "He is really enjoying it. There are youngsters with a variety of disabilities but they all seem to really love it.

"I think it is quite nice for him to be one of the stronger ones for a change. He did say he enjoyed playing with other disabled children.

"It is speed that was a big problem for him. The great thing about the training sessions is they adapt what they have got to do to fit their ability.

"It has given Craig a lot more confidence, and all the players help each other because they realise they have got different problems. He looks forward to it every week."

The youngster had his right leg amputated below the knee when he was five-years-old.

Wendy contracted chicken pox when she was pregnant, and Craig was left with a foot deformity doctors were forced to operate on.

The avid Liverpool fan and Brayton College student has been playing football ever since.

He met the stars of the England team, including David Beckham, soon after his operation when he visited their training ground.

He also had a kickabout with Liverpool FC after club officials were touched by his courage.

Craig, of Main Road, Hambleton, near Selby, said: "It is going really well. I really like having a kickabout with them. Some of the players are really good, and we are all pretty good."

Club coach Paul Bird, who runs the weekly football sessions, said the team has grown hugely since it was set up in September.

He said: "Craig was a good player when he came here. I am really pleased to be able to give him the chance to play. It is another success story for the team. He enjoys coming and playing football.

"The club has been so successful that we are looking at entering into a league, and we hope Craig will be a major part of that."

Updated: 08:59 Saturday, April 15, 2006