Oldham footballers unite for Bangladesh tour

9/ 1/2008

THREE Oldham football teams have come under one roof to take Bangladesh by storm as they prepare for their football tour of the country in March.

Shahjalal Unity FC from Westwood along with Coppice Rangers from Werneth and Red Star Bengals from Glodwick are taking a group of 35 youngsters to plays against semi-professional football teams in Bangladesh.

The tour, which will take place over three weeks in early March, will see the young Oldhamers play against teams all over the greater Sylhet district and in Chittagong.

Joining them on the trip is also local councillor Mohib Uddin and Bolton Wanderer’s community cohesion officer, Abdul Basit who have been playing for Shahjalal Unity for many years.

Said Mohib: "The three teams are going on this tour under the banner of Shahjalal Unity.

"What makes this trip really unique is that we managed to bring in the three most established British Bangladeshi teams in the north-west from different areas of Oldham together for the first time.

"Instead of playing against each other we will be playing as part one large team.

"Everyone is really excited about it and all the players have been training hard every week.

"The weather is going to be very warm and it will take some time for the players to climatise when they reach Bangladesh but we don’t think this will be a hindrance when it comes to playing and hopefully winning some games.

"Shahjalal Unity have been on tour to Bangladesh twice before. We decided to go again this year but wanted to broaden the trip out to other teams and so Coppice Rangers and Real Star Bengals came on board."

He added: "This trip isn’t just about playing football. Many of the youngsters have never been to Bangladesh and this will be their first experience in a country where the grandparents or parents originally came from.

"It will definitely be a cultural experience for them so they can learn about their roots and we will also be able to take them out to see different parts of Bangladesh."

An Asian Sportsperson’s Dinner is also being held on the 5 February to raise much needed money for the trip. Guest speakers at the dinner will possibly include former England player, Viv Anderson and Dagenham and Redbridge defender, Anwar Uddin who is the only British Bangladeshi professional footballer in the UK.

Confirmed guests include the first Bangladeshi professional boxer in the north-west, Abdul Rashid and young racing driver, Zuber Haque.

Said Maruf Ali from Coppice Rangers: "We are expecting to raise approximately £6,000. There will be some great prizes for the raffle and auction including signed Liverpool, Manchester United, Everton, Bolton Wanderer's and Oldham Athletic T-shirts. It’s going to be a great night and we are looking for as much support as we can get.

"There have been many people and local businesses supporting us. Prestige car hire firm, Evolution Cars have sponsored the teams kit and we are looking for other business to sponsor us as well."

The dinner will take place at the Blue Tiffin restaurant on Higginshaw Lane, Oldham at 6.30pm. Tickets are £19.50.

For more information about the trip or to sponsor please call Mohib Uddin on 07775646380 or Maruf Ali on 07872426499.