Sunderland Deaf AFC recently beat Reading 3-0 in Nottingham to win the England Deaf Football League Cup, adding it to the England Deaf Football League trophy they had already won.
It was the final game in charge for Anthony Smare, who set up the club with £1,500 of funding from the Football Foundation three years ago.
To mark their achievement, the team were invited to Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light, to walk around the pitch ahead of the game with Chelsea last month.
Mr Smare said: “It is so rewarding to win this trophy again after winning it last season, to end three years as manager on a high. I’ve decided to step down as I am involved in setting up the National Deaf Football League, which will start next season.
“I want to see more deaf players in professional football, so I’m dedicating my time to this project. I will be back one day, though, as I enjoy being at the club and I am considering a chairperson role at the club.”
