Deaf Rhinos FC at national football tournament

Deaf Rhinos FC

Deaf Rhinos FC, a football team based in Middleton  consisting of deaf and hearing impaired players from throughout the Greater Manchester area, made their mark on the national stage at the Derby National Deaf five-a-side tournament.

Playing against established teams affiliated with Premier League and Championship clubs, the young Deaf Rhinos were not overawed by their illustrious opponents, beating the likes of Millwall FC 3-0, and drawing with pre-tournament favourites Manchester United and Derby, 1-1, to qualify from a tough group.

In the knockout stages, the Rhinos caused another shock beating one of the much fancied Arsenal teams 1-0, before convincingly beating Watford FC 4-0. 

In the semi-final the Rhinos faced another of the Arsenal teams, the game was an end-to-end affair with both defences working very hard, and with less than a minute to go the game looked like it was going to penalties, but then heartache for Rhinos as an Arsenal striker found a bit of rare space and time and slotted the ball past the helpless Rhinos goalkeeper.

A spokesman for Rhinos said: "Even though it was a disappointing way to get knocked out, everyone involved with Deaf Rhinos were all smiles and handshakes, celebrating how much they have achieved, how many new friends they have made and how much of a positive impact they have made in the Deaf Football community." 

Ali Forisha, from Oldham, who was the captain and also topscorer on the day, said: "It was a great effort by the whole team, we showed everyone how close we are as a group, and how much we have improved as a football team, we all enjoyed the whole day a lot."

Manager Rukon Rahman, from Rochdale, said: "I’m really proud of the lads, they have worked hard over the last few months at training, and this success is a result of all their training that they have done."