Five star performance at annual Unity Shield event

Lee Murphy captain of the Rochdale Council Team, Cllr Sharif holding the Unity Shield and Azmat Khan captain of the Faith Team

Rochdale Sports For All organised the fourth annual Unity Shield football match between a Multi Faith Team and Rochdale Council at Springfield Sports Centre.

The Council team proved too strong for the valiant multi faith team. They deserved their 5-1 victory. "Lee Murphy certainly knows how to pick a winning Council team!”, said Deewan Choudhary, who managed the multi faith team, and who also coaches Rochdale Rhinos Deaf Football Club and is a FA qualified football coach. He added: "I wish to congratulate everyone who took part."

Mohammed Nazir of Sports For All explained the background to the match: “A few years ago immediately following the London Bombings, staff from Rochdale Council played a team consisting of young men from various faiths. The idea was to send a message of togetherness. The project was a huge success and it was agreed to hold the Unity shield as an annual event.”

“Just over 12 months ago, one of the young men who played in the first Unity match was a victim of a fatal car accident. We all decided to rename the trophy as Gareth O’Neill Unity shield. Gareth sadly died on 9 December 2006. With it being the Christmas and an Eid festival season, we felt this was an excellent opportunity to send a positive message to the wider community. We also felt it would allow Gareth’s family and friends to know we have not forgotten him.”   

Mr Nazir added: “whilst this is a busy period for everyone, Lee Murphy and his council staff gave up their weekends to help make this event happen.

"We are also in debt too Rochdale Football Club’s Azmat Khan for his support. He agreed to captain the faith team.

Deewan Choudhary said: "All of these good people along with Councillor Mohammed Sharif and Anjum Rashid the Chairman of KYP, who supported the event, demonstrate why Rochdale Council has achieved 'Beacon Status' for community cohesion. We are grateful for their time and efforts."  

Councillor Sharif commented: “I have been closely involved in this project. I must say there are not many towns who can deliver a message of community cohesion as effective as our Rochdale citizens. With this event taking place over the Christmas and Eid Season, these people had a few extra hurdles to overcome. They are good ambassadors for our town and for it to be done in memory of Gareth is a nice touch too. I am grateful for them involving me.”    
 
Azmat Khan commented: “It is difficult to manage young people from various communities. By the time everyone settled in their playing positions, we were one too many goals down. However, given the occasion, the result was immaterial. I am grateful for being able to play a key role in this excellent community building initiative.”
 
In the evening an after match meal took place. Gareth’s mother presented Dalian Wriglie with the man of the match award. Revered Roger thanked everyone for taking part. Mr Surinder Biant who carries out a lot of work for young people in Spotland and Falinge donated sports equipment to the faith teams.  

An awards evening in the town hall is being planned for early 2008, to officially thank everyone for taking part.