Police under the cosh in Alliance Shield

Alliance Football Shield - Rochdale Police versus Sports for All

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Officers of Rochdale police force and members of the local Asian community, representing Sports for All, dusted down their boots for the fourth annual Alliance football match today (Sunday 31 May), at Springhill Sports Centre.

Mr Salem Ahmed, the Marketing Director for Sports For All, who organised the event, explained: “This project began four years ago, initiated together with former Chief Superintendent Peter Mason, who at the time was head of policing for the Rochdale Borough [now working at Piccadilly Station for British Transport Police] and who returned to Rochdale to referee today's game demonstrating the effective ties with all sections of the borough community he built."

A beautiful clear blue sky beckoned the teams as they lined up ready for kick off but the sweltering heat took its toll and both sides made copious use of their substitutes.

Sports for All were quickly into their stride and their early pressure paid off when Jabbar Khan opened the scoring after just eight minutes.

The first half remained nip and tuck with most of the action in midfield but with the police side increasingly dominating possession towards the half time whistle. It came as no surprise when the police equalised just before half time, Scott unmarked at the far post placed his header perfectly.

The police team started the second half as they ended the first, putting Sports for All under a lot of pressure and dominating possession. The pressure told as Sports for All conceded two penalties in a five minute spell midway through the half - John Foster despatching both despite the best efforts of the Sports for All goalkeeper.

It looked to all that at three goals to one the police had the game wrapped up but Sports for All were having none of it and began to play the ball around well in midfield and, more importantly, found their front runners with excellent through balls.

With five minutes to go they got the breakthrough they deserved when Asad Mahmood pulled one back to set up a tense last few minutes.

The Sports for All pressure continued and the police team were under the cosh as Sports for All went in search of a late equaliser, twice coming close with shots hitting the cross bar, but the police team hung on and, though perhaps just the better team overall, were fortunate to do so.

Speaking to Rochdale Online shortly after the final whistle, Peter Mason said: "This is the fourth year and I am delighted the match has continued.

"It was a very good game, open and fairly equal. I found it far easier to referee than play!"

The Sports for All team was captained by Mohammad Malik, who played in the first Alliance match and went on to successfully join Greater Manchester Police.

Mr Malik said: “I joined the police because I wanted to put something back into the community.

Asked about today's game, he said: "We lost again, we've never beaten them yet, but it is not about the result, it is a great opportunity for the police to get to know the Asian community and the Asian community to get to know them. We are building important relationships off the pitch."

The project is supported by Deeplish Community Centre, Kashmir Youth Project (KYP) and the Community Cohesion Portfolio holder, Councillor Mohammed Sharif who, along with Rochdale MP Paul Rowen and the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Keith Swift and Sue Etchells, attended the game.

Mr Rowen said: "It is now an established tradition which the police and the Asian community enjoy.

"The game has been excellent, very good to watch."

Councillor Sharif said: "One of the main reasons I am delighted to be the Portfolio Holder for Community Cohesion is that I can get involved with these types of projects."