ASPIRE FIRST TEAM
Reigning European Champions
Team Honours
European Champions: 2024
FA/Disability Cups x8
English Champions x8
#7
Dan Mclellan (Captain)
Age: 17
Preferred Position: Wing
Classification: PF1
Previous Clubs: Northampton, Evergreen, Muscle Warriors
Best Aspire Memory:
Winning the Champions League Final, an incredible occasion and atmosphere!
Best thing about our sport:
The tight-knit community, making friends for life.
Fun Fact:
I performed in a West End show when I was younger
#8
Jon Bolding
Age: 39
Preferred Position: Centre
Classification: PF2
Best Aspire Memory:
Winning the Champions League
Best thing about our sport:
Being able to compete in a sport I love. Representing my country is something I never thought would be possible before I found this sport.
Fun Fact:
I left my wife on my wedding day to play for England in the Euros in 2014!
#9
Matt Gilbert
Age: 26
Preferred Position: Wing
Classification: PF1
Previous Clubs: St George's Knights, Notts PFC, WBA PFC
Best Powerchair Memory:
Winning the Premiership title 3 times back to back.
Best thing about our sport:
Allows me to compete in the sport I love and meeting people in similar positions.
Fun Fact:
Visited all championship football stadiums watching Birmingham City
#10
Oscar Smedley
Age: 16
Preferred Position: Wing
Classification: PF2
Previous Clubs: GBG Knights
Best Powerchair Memory:
Winning top assist award on debut season in the national championship league.
Best thing about our sport:
Having the opportunity to compete in a sport I absolutely love, as well as all the amazing people I have met along the way.
Fun Fact:
I’m a massive Arsenal fan and go to as many games as I can with my auntie and middle brother, Harry
#20
Tom Kelly
Age: 23
Preferred Position: Goal
Classification: PF1
Previous Clubs: Muscle Warriors, Porstmouth
Best Aspire Memory:
Winning the EPFA Champions Cup and keeping a clean sheet in the final.
Best thing about our sport:
Social time with the team and escapism while playing.
Fun Fact:
I have been to over 200 Southampton Football Club matches, despite having played for Portsmouth
#40
John Dickson
Age: 22
Preferred Position: Wing
Classification: PF1
Previous Clubs: Swindon Rockets, Cheltenham & SW AllStars, WBA Dubley, WBA Throstles
Best Aspire Memory:
Scoring and assisting in the 2025 FA Disability Cup Final win.
Best thing about our sport:
The feeling of scoring a goal.
Fun Fact:
I have extensive knowledge of brothers in football!
#
Finn Newell (Regional League)
Age: 12
Best Aspire Memory:
Being in the team for my first regional championship fixtures.
Best thing about our sport:
Enabling people with disabilities, who have a passion for the game, to play football.
Fun Fact:
I think I was Tutankhamen in a previous life as we both have scoliosis ...and are intelligent :)
Coaching Staff
Jon Bolding
Dan Mclellan
"Aspire has given me so many experiences within powerchair football. Working my way through the hub and getting to represent all the teams has been Incredible."
Jon Bolding
“I have played for Aspire for 24 years and I cannot explain what representing this fantastic club means to me. It’s given me so many lifetime memories that I will cherish and remember for the rest of my life. Aspire is not just a football club it’s a family”
John Dickson
"I simply love this club. Its full of wonderful people."
Time to deliver...
The 2026/27 season is one where Jon Bolding will expect his team to deliver.
The coming campaign creates a new footing for success. Long-serving players having moved to pastures new (Jordan Williams) or have taken on the challenge of building further success in the Warriors squad (Sally McNeill and Rich George).
With the opportunity for new blood, Jon Bolding has chosen to bolster the ranks with the inclusion of youth and experience.
Oscar Smedley - with countless goal contributions in the championship and recent Premiership experience under his belt - seriously impressed at Aspire's recent trials.
Matt Gilbert's experience and trophy cabinet are both vast. His move from WBA PFC is exciting for the whole club and one that his consistent performances, year-after-year, deserve. An exciting addition, indeed!
Last year's starting four of Jon Bolding, Dan Mclellan, Tom Kelly and John Dickson need no re-introduction. All have experience of winning trophies and will demand of themselves further club success. The captain's armband - having been in the careful ownership of Jon Bolding for decades - moves to England team-mate Dan Mclellan, so the club is well-and-truly focused on a long-term, successful future.
We reflect on the 25/26 season as one of solidity and professionalism. Characterised by a stubborn defence - which conceded just 3 league goals all season - and an unbeaten record, the achievement is bitter-sweet, given the team were pipped at the post on the final day.
The anticipation is that with goals throughout the team, Aspire will be as ruthless as ever. Confidence is high and everyone can't wait to get started.