Soccer Aid raises funds for charity

Date published: 04 January 2008

A charity five-a-side football tournament hosted by Rochdale inter-faith group Deen For All attracted teams from all over Greater Manchester and proved so popular that three indoor football courts were needed - the tournament raised over £600 for charitable causes.

The event Rochdale based team Bilal All Stars emerged as favourites from the group stages after winning all of their matches but they were stunned in the semi-finals when they were beaten 2-1 by Oldham side FC Sona.

Sona had only finished second in their group after a 5-0 defeat in their opening game but their fearless approach to the remaining games saw them march to the semi-finals and beat the favourites to reach the final. In the other semi, Real Deeplish scraped past Wardleworth with a 1-0 victory.

Sona’s confidence was sky high going into the final and they raced into an unassailable 3-0 lead. Deeplish were able to pull a late goal back but it was too little too late and Sona lifted the trophy.

Their manager Imran Khan said: "These lads are from Glodwick. There is not much there. We do this to keep them off the streets and away from drugs and crime. We never expected ourselves to win this tournament. Now I’ve got a happy bunch of players and we also made new friends. Deen for All has done an excellent job. Thank you to all concerned."

In consolation Real Deeplish were awarded the fair play trophy for their honesty and goodwill towards others team. The organisers felt a special award ought to be made for their excellent conduct both on and off the pitch.

Zahid Ali of Oldham won the player of the tournament award.

Nawaz Moin, the Director of Fundraising for Deen For All was responsible for organising the event. He said: "In 2007 Deen For All raised £1500 for good causes. With this tournament being after Christmas and Eid, the aim was to raise £300 to £500. However, everyone, from participants to sponsors, dug deep and we raised over £600.

 "I want to in particular thank Azmat Khan, Rochdale Football Club Community Officer and Councillor Sharif for giving up their New Years Eve to help me run this event. The sponsors (Naz Jewellers, Pro Active Legal and Al-Falah Takeaway of Milkstone Road, Rochdale) also played a crucial role in this as did the Deen For All volunteers.

"For the next 12 months my remit is to raise over £2000 for various charities. I feel after this event we can reach that target comfortably."

Azmat Khan commented: "It was a good tournament and I was happy to help put this tournament together working alongside Councillor Sharif and the Deen For All team."

Councillor Sharif said: "Deen for All Soccer Aid to raise money for charity was organised and run by young people. In particular Nawaz Moin was excellent and with the effort that was put in, I am not surprised of the excellent turnout nor with £600 plus being raised for charity. Personally I would have liked to have seen Real Deeplish to have won it, as they are from my ward. However, in truth every player and supporter, and there were at least 200 here, were winners."