The CPC Inclusion Cup

🏆 The CPC Inclusion Cup has quickly become one of the highlights of our year. Check out this brand-new film, recapping the 2026 edition...

So the Inclusion Cup goes from strength to strength, but how did we get here? In 2025, Crescent Purchasing Consortium kickstarted an exciting new multi-year partnership with the Manchester United Foundation, proudly delivering the first-ever CPC Inclusion Cup - an inclusive, one-day football tournament and activity day, to enthuse and empower SEND learners, reflecting the Foundation's efforts to Engage, Inspire & Unite. ⚽

The inspiring event was made possible by CPC funding, as our charity continues to reinvest in education via its flagship Giving Back scheme and connected projects. The Inclusion Cup sought to support SEND college students by granting them access to unforgettable extracurricular/sports opportunities, facilitating participation on a level playing field and fuelling social interaction with peers across their area. Since launching Giving Back, CPC has allocated £2m+ to help fund hundreds of UK education initiatives, underpinning our mission to enhance teaching and learning.

The 2025 Inclusion Cup welcomed entrants from around the Greater Manchester region, as young players representing Bolton College, Bury College, Eccles Sixth Form College, Hopwood Hall College, Oldham College and Trafford College looked to make a mark on the multi-match format, all while advancing their fitness and teamwork at one of English football's most famous training landmarks.

Our maiden event took place in the historic setting of The Cliff, Manchester United's long-time senior training ground, a facility that was used by the United first team right to the end of their legendary 1998-99 treble-winning season and one that was graced by so many of the Old Trafford club's most celebrated, recognised figures, from George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton to Bryan Robson, David Beckham and Eric Cantona.

As part of a packed day, our teams of students would be joined by former Manchester United forward Danny Webber. Webber spent four years at Old Trafford in total under Sir Alex Ferguson and featured in September 2024's Legends Game against Celtic, an event that generated almost £1m in aid of the work of the Manchester United Foundation. As well as getting involved with the day's football fun, the Mancunian striker, who experienced The Cliff in his formative years as a United youth player, would present the teams' medals and also share some fond Cliff memories:

It’s so nostalgic to be here - Sir Alex used to watch us from these windows. So much success was born out of this place. Not a lot of people get to come and train here these days, so it’s an incredible opportunity for the students to play here... I’ve just had a kickabout and taken some penalties, and I can feel the energy and excitement - it’s just nice to see them playing football and being in the moment.

Hopward Hall College would emerge victorious as the overall Inclusion Cup champions, earning a trip to see Manchester United wrap up their Premier League season against Aston Villa the next month - but none of the students would have to wait for a taste of the Theatre of Dreams...

After the tournament concluded, all the students were whisked across to the world-famous stadium itself, being treated to a guided tour around Old Trafford, weeks after it staged United's stunning 5-4 extra-time win over French Ligue 1 outfit Lyon in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.

Their afternoon at Old Trafford included time in the Manchester United Foundation's on-site Skills Lab, an accessible, inclusive, immersive area of the ground used to help facilitate learning and skill development for visiting groups, including work on values that would add to their experience.

They even had the rare opportunity to try on jerseys worn by legends like Peter Schmeichel and Cristiano Ronaldo - as well as match-worn boots!

In the end, students and CPC colleagues alike could reflect on a fantastic day out, as special opportunities and sporting exertion united to create a memorable, rewarding occasion. Managing Director, Darren Lowe, was one of Crescent Purchasing Consortium's representatives in attendance:

It passed by in a blink of an eye! If I could summarise today in one word, it would be ‘enthusiasm’. The energy has been superb, and the tournament has been a pleasure to watch. We’re proud at Crescent Purchasing Consortium for this to be one of the many projects we’ve funded in the education sector, and to give back to communities. We look forward to the Inclusion Cup being an annual event

Darren's verdict was also echoed by Matt Pilkington, Disability and Inclusion Coordinator for the Manchester United Foundation, who added:

Our work with CPC has become so valuable. The experiences these young people will have gained, from training sessions at college, to being at The Cliff and Old Trafford, are things they may normally not be able to access. Their attitude & the vibe has been unbelievable

In 2026, the CPC Inclusion Cup returned even bigger, as CPC and the Manchester United Foundation expanded the event into a three-day tournament, kicking off at The Cliff and winding up at St. George's Park, the high-tech training base of England's national football squads.

Making the competition even more inclusive, we were pleased to welcome students from the North West and North East of England over two separate days in Manchester, as well as wildcard entrants from the Midlands, Halesowen College, who would fare very well in their debut year.

On Monday 2nd March 2026, we opened the doors of The Cliff to a host of SEND football teams, representing Askham Bryan College, Bishop Auckland College, Eccles Sixth Form College, Gateshead College, Halesowen College, Hartlepool College, Tyne Coast College and York College.

Meanwhile, our second matchday on Friday 13th March saw sides from Accrington & Rossendale College, Blackburn College, Cheshire College, Hopwood Hall College, Knowsley Community College, Nelson & Colne College, Oldham College, Preston College, St. Helens College, St. John Rigby College, Stockport College, Trafford College and Warrington & Vale Royal College join the fun, while vying for a place at our Finals Day.

Found within 330 acres of Staffordshire countryside, St. George's Park was designed as a home to all 28 England national teams, encompassing everything from the men’s and women’s senior XIs, to U17s-U21s, through disability and futsal squads. Opened in 2012, this destination venue for elite English football has also hosted top level rugby union and league sides, plus club football heavyweights, with the complex housing no fewer than 14 elite outdoor pitches, including an exact replica of the Wembley surface, a full-sized, indoor 3G facility and dedicated futsal arena.

Ultimately, sides from eight colleges took to the field at St. George's Park this April and, fittingly, given the number of colleges from England's North East and North West, the guest of honour on a sunny Finals Day was a man that once carried the hopes and dreams of supporters from both regions - former England international forward, Andy Cole, a title-winning goalscorer for Newcastle United and Manchester United, alike.

After successfully making it to the latter stages, teams from Cheshire College, Hopwood Hall College, St. Helens College and Trafford College joined others from Tyne Coast College, Hartlepool College and Gateshead College at the National Football Centre, in rural Burton upon Trent.

However, it was Midlanders Halesowen College who would clinch the overall CPC Inclusion Cup for 2026, securing their tickets to thrilling Manchester United versus Nottingham Forest match at Old Trafford on Sunday 17th May, bringing our competition full circle, until 2027...

And what of 2027? Well, CPC will be looking to make the third annual Inclusion Cup even more impactful, to the benefit of even more young SEND learners across an even larger footprint and even wider demographic. Having put an exclamation point on this year's programme with inaugural spin-off event, the Female Football Festival, CPC continues to explore ways of growing what we do under the Inclusion Cup banner.

In June 2026, CPC were proud sponsors at the One City Schools Deaf Festival, a role established in partnership with the blue side of Manchester. Carried out by the team at City in the Community, this event was held in the indoor dome of the Etihad Campus, home of the 2026 FA Cup and Carabao Cup winners, Manchester City, and saw more than 70 youngsters participate, as CPC's Giving Back ethos continued making a difference.

Our utmost thanks to retiring Manchester United Foundation CEO, John Shiels, for his central role in helping bring the CPC Inclusion Cup to life...

Eager to get involved in the next CPC Inclusion Cup, in 2027? Contact CPC Head of Communications & Engagement, Rana Holland, for an informal discussion of opportunities, as we look forward to announcing a lot more during the 2026-27 football season ahead.

Words by Ashley Cox