FURD MV sponsored Sharrow United Football Club have achieved promotion after their first season in the Regional Alliance Sunday League Div 2, finishing in second place.
The team consists mainly of local Asian footballers, the majority of whom are also FURD Millennium Volunteers, carrying out voluntary work in their own communities.
FURD staff and local youth workers have managed the team (in their own time) in their first year, with MV trainees Kamran Khan and Tariq Akhtar now ready to take over the reigns for next season.
African striker, Desbon Bushiri, has also finished the season as Division 2's second top goalscorer, bagging 30 goals even though he has missed several games!
Manager Abid Rahim said, "Once again youth work is at the forefront of addressing issues of accessibility to provision that others take for granted, and where other agencies are still struggling to meet the challenge."
Secretary Alan Rhodes commented, "The enthusiasm, energy and commitment of these young people has carried them through a season, sometimes when facing extreme provocation and a dismissive attitude from opponents. They have also dispelled a few myths along the way and won many plaudits for the way they play the game. They will hopefully now become role models for their younger peers, and will be working with them to develop teams for the future."