If you don't know Stephen Reside, the chances are within five minutes you'll discover his team of choice.

The Motherwell season ticket holder bleeds claret and amber, and is a familiar face on the sidelines at Fir Park.

Growing up with cerebral palsy, he had to come to terms with the fact that he would never be able to play for The Steelmen and emulate his hero, James McFadden.

That all changed last month, with Stephen one of the first to sign for Motherwell's new powerchair football team.

This is his story.

My name is Stephen Reside.

I’m 29 and have cerebral palsy, but my disability isn’t what defines me. It never has.

My love of football does. At times it's probably saved my life.

Growing up, I knew I was different but when I was at Fir Park I felt like the same as everyone else. You’re part of a common cause that doesn’t discriminate. Everyone’s there for the same reason.

My Dad worked for the club for 10 years, coaching the Under-15s and 17s, so I was around Motherwell from an early age. So many of the best memories I have involve football.

Like most I was in awe of James McFadden. He felt like the kind of player who was a dying breed, that didn’t rely on pace to beat a man. He was just so skilful and would try things other people wouldn’t have the ability or guts to.

Saying football meant and means ‘everything’ sounds like a bit of a cliché, but when lockdown kicked in, I realised just how big a part it plays in my life. Not least that sense of belonging and community.

It was only when Scottish football was back up and running that I really felt some sense of normality. That I could properly cope.

I don’t mind saying that I’ve started to get counselling to have a healthier relationship with alcohol and to generally help with my mental health.

When there was no football, it was too easy to see drinking as escapism.

Like any supporter, I’m maybe guilty of having been critical of Motherwell and the players on any given matchday but I couldn’t be prouder of them for the work they’ve done around mental health and suicide prevention.

The statistics for young men in my age category are terrifying. It’s obvious how much Motherwell care about the issue and how much effort has gone into tackling it in the community.

It’s good to get those regular reminders to talk to people, even if you’re only subconsciously taking the messaging in.

Football has that power to positively impact lives. I can testify to that.

Looking back, it was difficult – especially when I was in school – to know that I was never going to be able to play for Motherwell.

There was always that nagging doubt in my head that anyone with a disability must have.

“If I could walk, how good would I have been?”

It’s a question you know you’ll never get the answer to. It was frustrating, because when I was running about with my frame in the playground I’d want to do things in my head – different passes or tricks – that my body just wouldn’t let me execute. There’s a disconnect there.

As I got older, my mates would go off to play fives. That’s when you felt it.

I’ve got better at getting my head around that, but the ‘I wish I could’ still hits you sometimes.

Out of the blue, Stewart Hall from the Motherwell FC Community Trust got in touch to see if I’d be interested in playing for their new powerchair football team – under the banner of the Scottish Powerchair Football Association.

I wasn’t sure what to make it of it at first. I didn’t know if it really appealed.

The more I weighed it up, the more excited I was by the idea and I really enjoyed my first training session, once I got used to it all.

At 29, there was me getting to pull on that Motherwell strip and represent the club after all.

I’m looking forward to the games and see it as another outlet for my love of football.

I run a YouTube channel – ADifferentView – where I vlog from games at all levels, take a look at clubs’ disabled facilities, interview people from across football and just, generally, give my opinion on everything.

Hopefully, in my own way, I can raise the profile of powerchair football in this country a bit, just as guys like Kieran Burns have done. He’s been a great ambassador for the sport in Scotland.

Ultimately, I’d love to turn my passion for football into a career – whether it’s taking A Different View all over the world to look at disabled facilities in different stadiums or a more traditional role in the media.

I’ve had some great experiences with Off The Ball and Go Radio. It’s given me a real taste for it, and I don’t need to be patronised or feel like I’m ticking any sort of box. I know that I know my stuff.

Hopefully that will encourage other young people with disabilities to follow my lead, as there’s definitely something in the ‘you need to see it to be it’ line.

Football has been a constant companion. I'm looking forward to finding out where it takes me next.

Power of Football

Football has the power to do so much good by enriching and improving life in Scotland every day. It brings communities closer together, it builds relationships that will last a forever and it is a lifeline for so many who need it.

We want to help tell unique stories from every corner of the Scottish game. Is someone in your community making a difference through football? A character who's the heart and soul of your club? An individual in need of a pick-me-up? Let us know via story@scottishfa.co.uk.

Click here to learn more about the power of football in Scotland. 

Get involved

If you're interested in playing for Motherwell's new powerchair football team, they train at Braidhurst High School on Monday nights from 6.30-7.30pm. For more information, please contact the Motherwell Community Trust via 01698 239926 or community@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell are the latest team to join the ranks of the Scottish Powerchair Football Association. 

SPFA chairman Craig Peattie said: "The Scottish Powerchair Football Association is delighted to be working with yet another professional football club to help bring football into the lives of more of our communities. 

"I've known Stephen for a few years now and had many conversations with him and Motherwell to create this opportunity. We are so pleased the club shared our vision so Stephen and his friends can enjoy the benefits of playing football."

For anyone looking to access the sport - or for clubs, groups and businesses interested in supporting the SPFA's programmes and projects, please get in touch via info@thespfa.org.