It's been another busy 12 months for England's disability teams, but for two sides 2007 will always be remembered as a special year.

The Blind Squad, who play under the flag of Great Britain, and the Cerebral Palsy Squad were both celebrating after securing a path to the Paralympics in Beijing next year.

The Blind Squad, under the guidance of manager Tony Larkin, were the first to qualify for the Far East after finishing runners-up at the European Championships in Greece.

It was a rollercoaster ride for Larkin's outfit who had to endure a penalty shoot-out win against Italy in the group stage, goalkeeper John Pugh saving three penalties before Dave Clarke (pictured) buried to book a place in the Semi-Finals with France.

With a place in the Final on offer, Darren Harris proved the difference. He scored both England's goals in a 2-1 win to set up a meeting with Spain, a team who Great Britain had drawn 3-3 with earlier in the tournament.

However, Spain proved too strong this time, running out comfortable 5-0 winners. But Great Britain were victorious in defeat as the runners-up were guaranteed a place at the Paralympics.

"We came to Greece with two main aims," said Larkin. "One was to make the Final and therefore secure a Paralympics place and the second was to be European Champions.

"Unfortunately that wasn't to be so we must now go away and work incredibly hard if we are to make an impact in Beijing."

Jeff Davis, National Manager for Disability Football, believes it could be a golden period for the country's blind footballers.

"Looking forward we have an emerging team with next year’s Paralympics, the World Blind Championships in England in 2010 and the Paralympics in London 2012 to look forward to.

"It is a very exciting time for our blind players."

The Cerebral Palsy Team booked their place at Beijing in November after finishing seventh at the Cerebral Palsy World Championships.

Having lost their opening game 5-3 to Brazil, England regrouped to beat both Australia and South Africa to reach the Quarter-Finals.

However, standing between England and a place in the last four were the ominous sight of Ukraine - previously unbeaten in five years.

England began well with Michael Barker's free-kick being cleared off the line, but the game eventually followed its predicted script with the Eastern Europeans winning 4-0.

The Lions then slumped to a 3-1 defeat to Holland but Paul Harrison's side pulled themselves together in a crucial showdown with Ireland - a game which would decide who would progress to China.

In the end it was conclusive once Barker and Wayne Ward had put England 2-0 up. Barker then made it three before Richard Fox got in on the act. Ward and Andy Taylor sealed the 6-1 win.

"I'd like to congratulate the team on this achievement," said Phil Lane, Chief Executive of ParalympicsGB.

"ParalympicsGB is delighted to be able to take two British football teams to the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, which is a great sign for the sport ahead of the home Games in London in 2012."

The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games will be the 13th Paralympic Summer Games and will take place in Beijing, Hong Kong (equestrian) and Qingdao (sailing) from 6-17 September. The opening ceremony for the Games will be 12 days after the end of the Olympic Games.

There will be 11 days of sport in total and the seven-a-side football will start on 8 September with the finals eight days later.

The last time GB took a football team to the Paralympic Games was in 1992 in Barcelona.

The FA are continually looking to recruit more players for its Disability football teams and into over 50 Ability Counts clubs around the country.

If you'd like more information, please email Jeff.Davis@TheFA.com.