Jay, who was born blind, had an operation at the age of three to give him his sight, and he was signed by Crystal Palace to play in their youth team, but lost his vision again when he was attacked by a gang aged 16.

He said: “Everything was over and done with, my whole life just crumbled there and then, I was in college as well and it just went down hill. It was a really hard time. For a good four to five years it was really depressing.”

He was then put in touch with Action for Blind People, an organisation that helps blind and partially sighted people receive practical support in all aspects of their lives, who told him about Chelsea Community Football Club, Chelsea's official disabled football club and part of Chelsea's Football in the Community Scheme.

“I found out about Chelsea Community FC and I joined up with them and since then my whole life has changed, bit by bit and it’s given me so much confidence. Being around other people and also playing football is amazing.”

Jay joined in 2000 and in his first season the team won both the league and the cup. Now he has qualified as a coach himself, he is hoping to take future squad training sessions, and progress further up the coaching ladder.

He said: “I am just going to carry on doing what I love. I want to do more coaching, like this week I did my first coaching session and I want to carry on with that and I want to get onto the FA coaching badge number two and three, and carry on doing what I love.

“I want to keep other kids dreams up as well, other disabled kids and other visually impaired children and I want to show them my experience."

If you'd like to find out more about how to get involved in Coaching, Refereeing, Volunteering or Playing, contact your local County FA