Beamish Dynamos Donations
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Beamish Dynamos are a disability football team that were founded by Tom Coltman in 2007.
Tom, a History of teacher of many years had a real passion for football, he took always helped the PE department run football teams at the school and absolutely loved it. He was also a huge Sunderland fan and long-time season ticket holder.
Tom's oldest daughter Natalie, has a learning disability, and through this Tom was also very passionate about inclusion, and the rights of people with learning disabilities to equal opportunities in life. Something that only added depth to his strong political opinions.
By chance Tom read a newspaper article about a local disability team that were going to compete in a national finals. This raised an eyebrow, as disability football was something that he had never heard of. He knew so many others with the same passion as he had for football who also had a learning disability, mostly through the amateur dramatics group SNUG where his daughter performed.
All Tom needed to do was to join the dots together, it didn't take long. He contacted Beamish FC and asked for their support, which they were delighted to provide.
Tom's second child, Bobby, was studying Sports Science at University at this time and was undertaking his coaching badges, the timing was perfect to get started.
Unfortunately no one turned up to the first training session that was put on for the team, despite some advertising in and around the local area. Many other coaches from Beamish had turned up to support the event but unfortunately there were no players to coach.
Tom didn't let that deter him, and he continued to work hard through networking with local groups and with the support of fellow founding coach Paul Nicholson, they managed to get 9 players together. Off they went to compete in the North East Ability Counts League, and the rest is history.
All Tom ever wanted to do with the team was to provide people with learning disabilities the chance to play football. Nothing more and nothing less. He also loved to win, and that was still important to him!
Things started to snowball quickly for Beamish, after struggling to get anyone attend their first session, after one season they soon had 2 teams, and not long after 3, then 4 and at one point 5 teams competing in the NEACL (at this point we think we were the largest disability sports club in the region if not more!). This doesn't include the junior teams that were also set up and ran for a long period of time (who were also very successful, one went 2 years without losing a game!). This can largely be put down to Tom's hard work and the positive environment he managed to build at the club. Everyone loved to be there, and couldn't resist not coming back.
I will always remember the first time we took the junior teams to a tournament. We were on a mini bus on our way to North Shields, and the lads were delighted to be on their way. They were full of beans, and couldn't sit still in their seats. I remember Tom turned on teacher mode and "asked" them all to calm down. I turned to him and told him " You're not in school now! Let them have their fun." That really struck home with Tom, and from then on we really got to see his true character shine through with the lads.
It was fun and games, good times, laughs added with a determination to succeed from then on, and my word have we had some success. He took so much pride in the club, beyond results, he loved the small things, and took every single detail in.
Beamish became more than a football team. Best friends were made, unforgettable moments of fun and laughter off the pitch were made. All helped by the coaching of Anthony Marsden, Jonathan Crick, Andy Hetherington and Tony Lister. He loved every volunteer that helped out the club, we all worked in his philosophy with our own individual style. He used to credit the success of the club to the energy of the volunteers, but what he didn't realise was that it was his personality that fuelled it all.
Trips abroad were organised to Holland and Belgium as well as many domestic trips too. When we were first invited to the tournament to Holland he came running into the front room in our house and told me about it, he made a joke, "can you imagine?" All it took was a simple response of "why not?' and off we went. In truth we didn't know what we were getting ourselves into! Many people said it was closer to being a stag do than a football trip. The nights on the ferry were wild! Tom loved it all and was there to help some of the lads when they were being sick in the toilet after one too many shandies! He did everything for everyone.
We were a lot more cautious when planning our trip to Belgium and Tom worked tirelessly to support a lot of the players to get there. Filling in passport applications for them, finding lost birth certificates in the process. In one case even applying for the birth certificate of some of the players parents, and alongside it all fundraising to help those that couldn't afford to go themselves.
He would drive players to training every week, without ever wanting anything in return. His reward was the smiling faces on the pitch, and it meant the world to him.
Amongst the success Beamish have had 6 gold medal winning Special Olympians at the club. It's very unlikely that some of them would have even kicked a ball if it wasn't for all of Tom's work. He followed their progress in 2015 from Facebook updates on his phone. The whole family sat following a dramatic penalty shootout final where GB won the gold with 4 Beamish players in the side.
The drama was too much for him to take, and 4 years later he travelled to Abu Dhabi with his family to watch all of the GB football games as they once again progressed to winning Gold with 2 different Beamish players in the side. No one in the stand had a smile as wide as Tom at the end of the game.
He had joined the team on a training weekend at England's prestigious St George's Park. He had got to know all the players really well and loved watching them in competition.
It was only right that later that year Tom was asked to take the team to a Unified Football Event in Israel. An offer he couldn't resist! Even though the game was an exhibition match, he was still delighted that the GB won the game comfortably. He took every game with the same level of seriousness, and the trip to Israel was one he loved to talk about with his son Bobby. My mam has told me this is the longest amount of time they have ever spent apart! Amazing to think that alongside all of this he was working, and being the best husband and parent that anyone could have wished for.
In a game where there are many egos, and sometimes where winning takes too much importance, Tom would always be focussed on the bigger picture. He would calm his coaches down at Beamish if they become too focussed on success, and he would regularly taunt them if they didn't win! That was the beauty in his humour, he was a tease and often very sarcastic depending on his mood, but once you got to know him you could see past all of that and see the beautiful personality he had.
The players loved him because he was fun and respectful, if they asked for help he would do whatever he could, and he wanted them all to succeed.
The coaches loved him because he did it all, washed the kits, managed the accounts, booked the buses and was on the training pitch every week, including a period of time where he was diagnosed and was being treated for prostate cancer. It couldn't stop him and he didn't let many people know about it, he just wanted to carry on.
I would speak to Tom for hours on end on the phone about football, and used to even complain to Clare that I think he had forgotten that I was his son! But just like all of the players whenever I needed him, I knew I could ask him for anything and he would be there to help.
Beamish was a family affair for us, Tom's third child Sarah learned how to drive by giving players a lift to training. She did so much off the pitch to help the club too, first aiding, taking photos, being there to look out for the welfare of the athletes. Also, to spend quality time with her family, and enjoy the great times it has brought us all. Her professional life is based on supporting people with learning disability, which is another testament to Tom's inspirational example he set for his children.
During the recent pandemic he would often worry about the club, he worried that the players will lose their love of the game, and he didn't want them to stop having a good time. I used to say to him not to worry, all we have every done is to provide the opportunities to participate and we will continue to do so no matter what once this is all over.
Unfortunately it breaks my heart that this will have to happen in his absence. I really can't imagine what it is going to be like without him, but I know that all of the volunteers and players at the club will want to carry on smiling with Tom taking a place in their hearts.
If you can support Tom's creation continuing in anyway it will be greatly appreciated. Tom spent hours applying for grants to keep the club running, and he loved running a fundraising night to help the club stay afloat. Although we needed the money, he really wanted to put the FUN in fundraising and he appreciated everyone that came along and helped the teams out in whatever way they could.
I'm sorry to go on, but I could have written so much more. I have been so close to my dad throughout this journey and know how much he cared about every little detail we would talk about.
He was an amazing person, and I'm so proud that Beamish will continue to go on in his memory.
"The greatest act of leadership is what happens in your absence."
It is our turn to step up and fill his very large shoes, I really don't think one person alone could do it, but we will all be working hard together to try our best.
If you can donate even the smallest amount we promise that every penny will be put towards what meant the most to Tom. Opportunity!
Thanks
Bobby
Tom, a History of teacher of many years had a real passion for football, he took always helped the PE department run football teams at the school and absolutely loved it. He was also a huge Sunderland fan and long-time season ticket holder.
Tom's oldest daughter Natalie, has a learning disability, and through this Tom was also very passionate about inclusion, and the rights of people with learning disabilities to equal opportunities in life. Something that only added depth to his strong political opinions.
By chance Tom read a newspaper article about a local disability team that were going to compete in a national finals. This raised an eyebrow, as disability football was something that he had never heard of. He knew so many others with the same passion as he had for football who also had a learning disability, mostly through the amateur dramatics group SNUG where his daughter performed.
All Tom needed to do was to join the dots together, it didn't take long. He contacted Beamish FC and asked for their support, which they were delighted to provide.
Tom's second child, Bobby, was studying Sports Science at University at this time and was undertaking his coaching badges, the timing was perfect to get started.
Unfortunately no one turned up to the first training session that was put on for the team, despite some advertising in and around the local area. Many other coaches from Beamish had turned up to support the event but unfortunately there were no players to coach.
Tom didn't let that deter him, and he continued to work hard through networking with local groups and with the support of fellow founding coach Paul Nicholson, they managed to get 9 players together. Off they went to compete in the North East Ability Counts League, and the rest is history.
All Tom ever wanted to do with the team was to provide people with learning disabilities the chance to play football. Nothing more and nothing less. He also loved to win, and that was still important to him!
Things started to snowball quickly for Beamish, after struggling to get anyone attend their first session, after one season they soon had 2 teams, and not long after 3, then 4 and at one point 5 teams competing in the NEACL (at this point we think we were the largest disability sports club in the region if not more!). This doesn't include the junior teams that were also set up and ran for a long period of time (who were also very successful, one went 2 years without losing a game!). This can largely be put down to Tom's hard work and the positive environment he managed to build at the club. Everyone loved to be there, and couldn't resist not coming back.
I will always remember the first time we took the junior teams to a tournament. We were on a mini bus on our way to North Shields, and the lads were delighted to be on their way. They were full of beans, and couldn't sit still in their seats. I remember Tom turned on teacher mode and "asked" them all to calm down. I turned to him and told him " You're not in school now! Let them have their fun." That really struck home with Tom, and from then on we really got to see his true character shine through with the lads.
It was fun and games, good times, laughs added with a determination to succeed from then on, and my word have we had some success. He took so much pride in the club, beyond results, he loved the small things, and took every single detail in.
Beamish became more than a football team. Best friends were made, unforgettable moments of fun and laughter off the pitch were made. All helped by the coaching of Anthony Marsden, Jonathan Crick, Andy Hetherington and Tony Lister. He loved every volunteer that helped out the club, we all worked in his philosophy with our own individual style. He used to credit the success of the club to the energy of the volunteers, but what he didn't realise was that it was his personality that fuelled it all.
Trips abroad were organised to Holland and Belgium as well as many domestic trips too. When we were first invited to the tournament to Holland he came running into the front room in our house and told me about it, he made a joke, "can you imagine?" All it took was a simple response of "why not?' and off we went. In truth we didn't know what we were getting ourselves into! Many people said it was closer to being a stag do than a football trip. The nights on the ferry were wild! Tom loved it all and was there to help some of the lads when they were being sick in the toilet after one too many shandies! He did everything for everyone.
We were a lot more cautious when planning our trip to Belgium and Tom worked tirelessly to support a lot of the players to get there. Filling in passport applications for them, finding lost birth certificates in the process. In one case even applying for the birth certificate of some of the players parents, and alongside it all fundraising to help those that couldn't afford to go themselves.
He would drive players to training every week, without ever wanting anything in return. His reward was the smiling faces on the pitch, and it meant the world to him.
Amongst the success Beamish have had 6 gold medal winning Special Olympians at the club. It's very unlikely that some of them would have even kicked a ball if it wasn't for all of Tom's work. He followed their progress in 2015 from Facebook updates on his phone. The whole family sat following a dramatic penalty shootout final where GB won the gold with 4 Beamish players in the side.
The drama was too much for him to take, and 4 years later he travelled to Abu Dhabi with his family to watch all of the GB football games as they once again progressed to winning Gold with 2 different Beamish players in the side. No one in the stand had a smile as wide as Tom at the end of the game.
He had joined the team on a training weekend at England's prestigious St George's Park. He had got to know all the players really well and loved watching them in competition.
It was only right that later that year Tom was asked to take the team to a Unified Football Event in Israel. An offer he couldn't resist! Even though the game was an exhibition match, he was still delighted that the GB won the game comfortably. He took every game with the same level of seriousness, and the trip to Israel was one he loved to talk about with his son Bobby. My mam has told me this is the longest amount of time they have ever spent apart! Amazing to think that alongside all of this he was working, and being the best husband and parent that anyone could have wished for.
In a game where there are many egos, and sometimes where winning takes too much importance, Tom would always be focussed on the bigger picture. He would calm his coaches down at Beamish if they become too focussed on success, and he would regularly taunt them if they didn't win! That was the beauty in his humour, he was a tease and often very sarcastic depending on his mood, but once you got to know him you could see past all of that and see the beautiful personality he had.
The players loved him because he was fun and respectful, if they asked for help he would do whatever he could, and he wanted them all to succeed.
The coaches loved him because he did it all, washed the kits, managed the accounts, booked the buses and was on the training pitch every week, including a period of time where he was diagnosed and was being treated for prostate cancer. It couldn't stop him and he didn't let many people know about it, he just wanted to carry on.
I would speak to Tom for hours on end on the phone about football, and used to even complain to Clare that I think he had forgotten that I was his son! But just like all of the players whenever I needed him, I knew I could ask him for anything and he would be there to help.
Beamish was a family affair for us, Tom's third child Sarah learned how to drive by giving players a lift to training. She did so much off the pitch to help the club too, first aiding, taking photos, being there to look out for the welfare of the athletes. Also, to spend quality time with her family, and enjoy the great times it has brought us all. Her professional life is based on supporting people with learning disability, which is another testament to Tom's inspirational example he set for his children.
During the recent pandemic he would often worry about the club, he worried that the players will lose their love of the game, and he didn't want them to stop having a good time. I used to say to him not to worry, all we have every done is to provide the opportunities to participate and we will continue to do so no matter what once this is all over.
Unfortunately it breaks my heart that this will have to happen in his absence. I really can't imagine what it is going to be like without him, but I know that all of the volunteers and players at the club will want to carry on smiling with Tom taking a place in their hearts.
If you can support Tom's creation continuing in anyway it will be greatly appreciated. Tom spent hours applying for grants to keep the club running, and he loved running a fundraising night to help the club stay afloat. Although we needed the money, he really wanted to put the FUN in fundraising and he appreciated everyone that came along and helped the teams out in whatever way they could.
I'm sorry to go on, but I could have written so much more. I have been so close to my dad throughout this journey and know how much he cared about every little detail we would talk about.
He was an amazing person, and I'm so proud that Beamish will continue to go on in his memory.
"The greatest act of leadership is what happens in your absence."
It is our turn to step up and fill his very large shoes, I really don't think one person alone could do it, but we will all be working hard together to try our best.
If you can donate even the smallest amount we promise that every penny will be put towards what meant the most to Tom. Opportunity!
Thanks
Bobby
Organizer
Beamish Dynamos
Organizer
