AN AUTISTIC young football coach hopes to inspire the next generation of would-be athletes and backroom staff into a career in sports, regardless of being disabled.

Jacob Ross, who has Asperger's syndrome, came top of his course in sports coaching and development during his time at college and is a Football Association-recognised coach.

The 21-year-old from Stockton hopes to capture the imagination of others and has created a video encouraging others with disabilities not to write-off an athletic career.

He said: "Asperger’s may be looked at as a bad thing, but it doesn’t stop me being able to do what others can do.

"Just because I’ve got a disability, it doesn’t mean I don’t have the ability.

"My Asperger’s has a lot to do with the routine, so going into the coaching session and end game drills, I find they stick in my head because they’re very specific.

"My problems with my condition relate more to my organisational skills. I struggle with things like getting ready in a morning, because with my clothes I always need to find a pattern with the colours and things like that.

"It’s ironic because the organisational skills that I have struggled with because of my condition have actually been my strengths while I’ve been coaching on and off the pitch; I can organise sessions, and I can speak to players because I’m approachable and trustworthy."

Jacob first first discovered his talent on his course at Middlesbrough College and now coaches for Grangetown Boys Club Under-9s development team.

Long-term, the 21-year-old wants to coach for a Premier League team and also dreams of setting a sports academy for those with disabilities.

The academy would initially focus on football, but would expand to cover a range of sports as demand grows.

"It’s ambitious, but it’s definitely achievable," added Jacob. "I want to show those with disabilities there is no limit to what you can achieve if you just go for it.

"People with disabilities can do anything as simple as voluntary work, joining the backroom staff, to getting out there alongside one of the managers because it gives them experience of working for the club.

"If you don’t try, you’ll never know."

Jacob has thanked the Fixers charity for their support to work with young people aged 16 to 25, by providing them with professional resources to help them campaign on issues they feel strongly about.