Rochdale teams raise funds for refugees in five-a-side tournament

The finalists line up alongside guests of the tournament Simon Danczuk and Councillor Mohammed Sharif (middle) and Azmat Khan, Community Officer at Rochdale Football Club.

Amateur football teams from across Greater Manchester and Yorkshire flocked to Rochdale for a charity five-a-side tournament which raised £500 for Palestinian refugees.

A record total of sixteen teams took part in the event last month, which was hosted by Rochdale Sports For All (SFA) and played at Soccer Village in Milnrow.

Rochdale’s Sparth FC marked themselves as early favourites and went on to beat last year’s champions Sona FC in the final.

With an average age of 17, Wardleworth Allstars were passed off as the underdogs but the youngest team in the tournament pulled out a few shock victories. Their win over last year’s runners-up Real Deeplish earned them a spot in the quarter-finals where they were soundly beaten by an unrelenting Sona FC. The Allstars were applauded off the pitch and received special recognition in the awards ceremony for fair play and sportsmanship.

“I am delighted a local team from my ward won this tournament,” commented Councillor Sharif, the portfolio holder for Community Cohesion.

“In truth every player, supporter and sponsor were winners. Well done to everyone involved!”

Nawaz Moin, Fundraising Manager for Sports For All, said: “We decided to donate all monies raised from the tournament to help those in need of food, water, clothing, medical aid and shelter in Palestine.”

“I want in particular to thank Mr Azmat Khan, Community Officer at Rochdale Football Club, Simon Danczuk and Councillor Sharif, the portfolio holder for Community Cohesion for giving up their time, at short notice, to help support this successful event. The business sponsors, Haji Cash & Carry and Vision Twenty-One, also played an important role, as did the ever-enthusiastic Sports For All volunteers.”

Rochdale’s Labour Parliamentary Candidate, Mr Simon Danczuk presented the player of the tournament trophy to Halifax’s Khurram Shazad.

“Everyone wants to see a peaceful resolution to the conflict.” the politician later commented. “It’s very encouraging to see committed young footballers take an active interest whilst at the same time play the sport they love.”