Alliance Match 2010

Posted by admin in News on Jul 11th, 2010 | 0 comments

Sports For All select X1 Win The Alliance Community Shield – Fourth Time lucky!

Sports 4 All, (SFA) a Rochdale-based, volunteer–led sports and faith group, together with Rochdale Police, held their fourth Alliance football match at Springhill football ground in Rochdale on Sunday 27thJune 2010. The match was organised to celebrate the progress
of community cohesion between Rochdale Police and the local Muslim community.

John O Hare, Chief Superiintendent of Rochdale police, showed his own support for the match by both playing for the Police team and attending the after match presentation/lunch that was held at Deeplish Community Centre.

Youths and men from various local Mosques represented the effective Muslim community of Rochdale.

The SFA team got off to a flying start, playing with high tempo. Their effort was rewarded almost immediately with Mohammed Malik, captain of the SFA team, scoring the opening goal. Mohammed who lives in Belfield, Rochdale, is a good example of how cooperative
unity produces a range of positive outcomes. He played in the first Alliance match and has now gone on to successfully join Greater Manchester Police.

The SFA team enjoyed the best of the chances in the first half, with the midfield being well marshalled by Azmat Khan, the Community Cohesion Officer for Great Places Housing Group. In the second half, Ajaz Hussain immediately put the SFA team 2 – 0. The Police team rallied and were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute, which Scott McLaughlin calmly
slotted in.

This only appeared to motivate the SFA team who retained their two-goal advantage with a fine goal by Jabbar Khan. As the match progressed, the Police team fitness began to show as they began to win the 50-50 balls. However, a break away goal from man of the
match Jabbar made it 4 – 1, with the Police team pulling a consolation goal towards the end.

The final score of 4 – 2 to the SFA team resulted in this being their first victory in four years, as Rochdale Police team had won the previous three encounters.

At the after-match reception, Commander John O’Hare commented, “It was a fair result – but, above all, this is a regular partnership that demonstrates how sport can be used as a vehicle to bring everyone together and promote dialogue between all our communities.”

Mohammed Malik said, “I joined the police because I wanted to put something back into the community. Today was about continuing to build practical opportunities for the police to get to know the grassroots Asian community, and visa versa. We share a unique relationship with the Police and are building important relationships off the pitch.”

Mr Azmat Khan, who has been involved in all four matches added, “We had a good mix of young and mature members of the community playing today. I am absolutely delighted with the efforts. For me, this is for a superb cause and the result is less important than the reason – although it is good to finally win a match against the Police! ”

Councillor Mohammed Sharif, the Cabinet Community Cohesion Portfolio holder together with fellow councillors Shah Wazir, Farooq Ahmed and the recently elected MP Simon Danczuk lent their support to the Alliance match. Councillor Sharif, stated, “As the Cabinet
Community Cohesion Portfolio holder, it gives me enormous pleasure to see younger people from the Muslim communities playing such an influential part in continuing to make this town a strong example of cohesion-in-action for others to emulate. We have a lot of exceptional people of all ages within our diverse communities. I feel fortunate to have been involved in all of these matches to date. I believe it is one of the most important initiatives we have running in Rochdale, and we all look forward to continuing the Alliance Shield programme between Rochdale Police and Sports 4 All.”

Simon Danczuk MP commented, “Both teams played extremely well and gave the spectators an enjoyable game to watch. I know I have to stay impartial but with the police winning the last three years it is great Sports For All won this time.”

Mr Danczuk added “It’s a great initiative and part of the closer links, both on a professional and informal basis, that have developed between Rochdale police and the local communities. I congratulate everyone involved for continuing to produce such events which have enabled our town to be genuine winners in the field of cohesive communities.”

Mohammed Nazir of Sports 4 All, concluded: – “While everyone involved helped make this project a success, we particularly wish to thank – Firstly, the team manager for Rochdale Police division’s football team, Inspector Darrell Butterworth. Secondly, John Mason of
Link 4 Life, for doing a 1st-class job in organising facilities to enable the match to be played. Thirdly, Sohail Ahmed for allowing us to use the facilities at Deeplish Community Centre for the after match presentation dinner and a special warm “Thank You” to Cindy Bottomley and, conclusively, to Jan Hargreaves, our local Community Relations Officer from GM Police. Both women have enthusiastically given up their time to provide excellent all-round support, year on year. They have done this with unreserved goodwill – for which we are all exceedingly grateful.”

End of Press Release

Note to Editor:

Any questions on this event please contact Hanief Mohammed, SFA’s communication officer on 07949 197140 or haniefmohammed@sky.com/hanief@sport4all.org.uk