Football Unites boys shine in Blades Youth Cup thriller

14 Dec 2006 / News

Football Unites coaches were justly proud when three of their protégés from the Football Unites academy appeared for Sheffield United in their 3rd round FA Youth Cup tie against Watford on 13th December.

The match, played at the Blades' Bramall Lane ground, saw Aymen Tahar and recent signing Liban Abdi star in the 2-2 draw, before both holding their nerve to score in a tense penalty shoot-out. Kyle Walker, who has been with the Blades since being recommended by Football Unites coaches Paul Archer and Luis Silva back in 1998, came on as an extra-time substitute, to make up a fabulous trio of Football Unites referrals. Their reward is a home 4th round tie in the New Year against Aston Villa.

Liban Abdi is the first Somali player to become a professional for the Blades after signing an initial 6 month contract the previous week, and Football Unites staff are hoping his achievement will act as an inspiration for the hundreds of Somali players in Sheffield, many of whom are involved in the project's Positive Futures and Millennium Volunteer programmes.