'Great event, great football, great charity'
Four local Sunday football teams took part in the third annual Unity Cup.
The event is to raise money for charity - the two charities that were chosen were the International Edhi Foundation and Meavy View Care Home on Deeplish Road.
Patricia Risby, Care Home Manager, said: “On behalf of Meavy View Care Home for the Elderly I would like to say a big thank you to the organisation for helping to raise money for the elderly residents.
“It was a very enjoyable day. The four teams that played showed great community spirit. The love of the game really shone through and the fact that they were doing it to raise money made the players more enthusiastic.
“I did manage to speak to a couple of the players from Wardleworth FC and Asia FC and they seemed proud to represent their local community in this charity tournament and referred to it as ‘community building and working together’, which is true. There should be more communities working together to build a better future.”
The teams invited Wardleworth FC, Rochdale Asia, FC Bury Town and Asia FC.
Councillor Farooq Ahmed and Councillor Sultan Ali supported the event.
Manager of Asia FC Saeed Ahmed said: “This display shows that the power of football can easily bring people together. It’s brilliant to be part of such an event as bridges have been made between clubs.”
Manager of Wardleworth FC Basharat Hussain said: “Great event, great football, great charity and all the players really enjoyed it.”
Manager of FC Bury Town said: “Great to part of the event and looking forward to next year already.”
Overall organiser Azmat Khan added: “The Unity Cup brings me personal satisfaction as it is clear to see that football unites everyone.
"The support that we have received from all clubs involved has been immense and couldn’t thank them enough. Our Sponsors Whitestone Solicitors have always helped out and open heartedly. Everyone participating and everyone watching all really enjoyed the day which is my personal drive to keep on holding such events.”
Councillor Ahmed and Councillor Ali added: “It is our privilege to see so many locals helping in the name of charity.
"The event was brilliantly organised and the football was great to see. The locals of Rochdale and Bury can be proud of their achievements today and wish them all the best in everything they do”.
The total money raised was over £400, which will be split between the two charities.
