Charity Football: Over-40s Tournament Supporting Water Projects

It was a sunny summers day in Accrington where over-40s footballing legends got together from throughout the north to participate in a festival of veterans football.

The tournament began on a sad note, as everyone was aware that Jamir Ali (Jam), who has been playing for FC BASA of Rochdale, and has played virtually every minute of every match of every veterans football tournament for over 10 years now was not there. He suffered a brain haemorrhage earlier this week and is currently recovering in Leeds Hospital after undergoing brain surgery. His family are with him and we all collectively pray that he recovers fully and quickly inshaAllah.

At the tournament there were teams and players from Oldham, Rochdale, Leeds, Rossendale, Haslingdon, Keighley, Burnley, Preston and Liverpool. Again the football on the pitch was of superb quality for players of this age, the continued brotherhood and unity off the pitch, getting together for such a superb cause, was amazing.

As for the competition itself, we had 10 teams. The matches were very competitive with 8 teams going through from the group to the knockout stages.

• FC BASA (Rochdale)
• Kampianos (Burnley)
• Positive Start (Rossendale)
• Canaries (Preston)
• NFA (Leeds)
• Coppice (Oldham)
• Liverpool MBA
• ShahJalal (Oldham)
• Oldham Unity

In the quarter finals, FC BASA beat ShahJalal 3-0, Oldham Unity beat Canaries 2-0, Coppice beat Kampianos 2-0 and NFA beat Liverpool 3-1 on penalties after the game ended 1-1.

In the semi finals NFA beat FC BASA on penalties after the game finished 1-1. Oldham Unity beat Coppice 1-0.

The final was a very competitive one with the 2 very worthy teams being in the final. NFA beat Oldham Unity 3-1 on penalties after the game ended 1-1, to be crowned over-40s veterans 7aside football tournament 2022 Champions.

The event raised £1,500 for charity. All money made from the tournament is being donated to build 2 water wells in places where they are much needed (Pakistan and Bangladesh) and Moheen Uddin from Muslim Charity confirmed that they will be in Jamir Ali’s name, Alhamdulilah.

A big huge thank you to all the teams, the referees, the volunteers, the sponsors AMZ CUTZ (Haslingdon) and Masala Hut (Leeds) and the team of organisers Moheen, Jewel and Abdul Basit, for another hugely successful and enjoyable event.

• Champions: NFA (Leeds)
• Runners up: Oldham Unity
• Player of the Tournament: Loylus (Oldham Unity)
• Man of the Match in Final: Mesba (NFA)
• Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Goolshad (FC BASA)

Unity, respect and charity through the beautiful game… long may it continue.