Police victory at Alliance match

Asif Khan lobs the Police keeper for the opening goal
Annual Alliance Football Match
Police (Rochdale Division) versus Sport for All

32 More Image(s) In Gallery

Police officers from the Rochdale division walked away the winners from this year’s Alliance football match, after beating the Sports for All team 2-1 in an action packed game.

Officers and representatives of Rochdale’s Asian community joined together for a game that has become a regular fixture in the borough’s sporting calendar.

The first half was fairly even with the Police having the best chance when what should have been the opening goal saw a free header from close range hit the post.

The start of the second half saw Sport for All with the bulk of the possession and they created numerous chances, most of which went begging. However, the deadlock was finally broken when Asif Khan sent a perfectly flighted lob over the Police goalkeeper.

The goal stung the Police into action and it wasn't long before PC Stu Jenkins got them back on level terms with a crisp low drive that beat the Sport for All keeper.

The Police were by now dominating the game but the score stayed level as they wasted chance after chance to take the lead. 

Sport for All made the occasional break forward but to little effect and it was entirely with the run of play that PC Mark Lutcevich scored  the winner for the Police.

The Police have won the match, now in its fifth year, four times.

The Man of the Match award went to Steve Houghton.

The event’s organiser Hanief Mohammed, explained why the Alliance match started: “We recognised the important role the police play in our community and it is important to support them.

“The police work with all communities including the Asian community and we want to support the police in making the community safer.”

He added: “We find out when the police are available and we organise the match. We pull out all the stops to make sure we deliver this project, we know they do a tough job and we want to support them in any way we can and show our appreciation for all the hard work they do.”

Following the match there was an awards event at Deeplish Community Centre which was attended by Rochdale Councillors, MPs Simon Danczuk and Jim Dobbin and other community leaders.

Mr Mohammed said: “The afternoon awards event demonstrated how much the community supports this initiative and want to work with the police to make the community safer.

“It was full. Everyone made the time to turn up.

“After five years the Alliance has gone from strength to strength.”

At the awards ceremony the Service to Community Award was presented to Jan Hargreaves, Greater Manchester Police’s race relations officer.

Mr Mohammed said: “Five years ago Jan Hargreaves came up with this initiative. She wanted an alliance between the Asian community and the police.

“After five years we felt it was time to present Jan with this award. She put all this together.”

The Community Confidence award was presented to Chief Superintendent of Rochdale police, John O’Hare.

Mr Mohammed said the award was given to Chief Superintendent O’Hare because of the work he has carried out in Rochdale, he added: “John is unique.”

Chief Superintendent O’Hare said: “The Alliance is more than just a football match once a year, the real work is done in between.

“The Alliance was built up to ensure there was a clear channel of communication between the police and the community. Its sole purpose is to work together in the best interest of the community and build up trust between the community and those undertaking police duties across the borough.”