The FA Cup took centre stage as Kick It Out’s “One Game One Community” campaign was celebrated in West Yorkshire recently.
The event saw West Yorkshire Police team up with the National Association of Muslim Police, Kirklees Council and Mount Pleasant Juniors FC for an action packed football festival at the St John Fisher Catholic High School in West Dewsbury.
A dozen clubs representing different faiths from nearby Savile Town, Ossett, Norristhorpe and Howden Clough all took part in the U14 football festival tournament and the day also featured Yorkshire Police and local MP, Shahid Malik, taking on a team of Muslim clerics plus The FA’s very own Football for All Ambassador, Yunus Lunat, and the Reverend Paul Crabb.
It turned out to be a good day for the Muslim side as Yunus explained: “It was the Police who were left praying for divine intervention and even Mr Malik’s skills and influence in midfield were not enough to avoid a 6-1 defeat.
“I was impressed with the clerics and we’re hoping that they might be able to meet the Police for regular 5-a-side games in the near future.
“Overall, it was a very successful community cohesion event and it would be great to see this expand to other areas of the country.”
Reverend Paul Crabb added: “Not too long ago all these different religions playing football together at a Catholic School would not have been possible.
“Although we have different religions, we all have the same faith and days like this prove how much we have moved on and that we can retain our own beliefs yet still work and play alongside each other.”