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Luis Silva's boys in Sheffield derby

Football Unites coaching staff, led by Luis Silva and Desbon Rubamba, were proud men when two of their protegees played in the clash between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, held at United's…

03 Oct 2006 / News /

Lamine Sidibe wins a scholarship with the Blades

We are pleased to report that 16-year-old Lamine Sidibe has won a scholarship to Sheffield United for the next two years.

26 Jul 2023 / News /

FURD referral signs for Sheffield United Academy

We are pleased to report that Lamine Sidibe has signed for Sheffield United Academy after being recommended to the club by FURD coach Luis Silva.

08 Dec 2021 / News /

FURD trainee Ayman Tahar signs for Blades

After impressing the coaching staff on his 6 week assessment period, Ayman Tahar has recently signed for SUFC Academy U15s after being recommended by Football Unites, Racism Divides head coach Luis Silva.…

01 Feb 2005 / News /

Warren's tribute to coach Silva

WHEN teenager Warren Burrell was growing up in inner city Sheffield he knew his life could have easily taken the wrong direction. But thanks to football, personal dedication and the support of Football Unites…

22 Jul 2008 / News /

Football Unites trainee signs for United

Coaches at Football Unites are celebrating the decision by Sheffield United to sign up another member of the Football Unites Positive Futures squad. Warren Burrell joins Ayman Tahar in the Sheffield United…

21 Dec 2005 / News /

Football Association and Luis Suarez

A 115 page report by the Football Association of the inquiry into the allegations by Patrice Evra of racist abuse by Luis Suarez.

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Aymen Tahar's journey from FURD to the Champions League

We are delighted to hear that Aymen Tahar, who signed for Sheffield United after being recommended by FURD coaches, has joined Romanian champions Steaua Bucharest, where he has made his Champions League debut.…

24 Jul 2015 / News /

The Silva Way of Finding Gold

For a man who enjoyed a starring role in the Battle of Santiago, Luis Silva is remarkably unimpressed by footballâ€™s pre-occupation with size.Or, to be more precise, English footballâ€™s.â€œTeams come to me and say â€˜find us a big, strong playerâ€™.â€œI say to them â€˜what do you want them for, to play the game or for wrestlingâ€?â€œLook at greats, like Maradona, Juninho or Ortega. Theyâ€™re tiny but theyâ€™re still great players.â€The former Chile international, who in 1962 was slugging it out with Italy in one of the most infamous chapters of World Cup history, now spends his time searching for the next irresistible talent on the streets of Sheffield.And after watching England succumb to two flashes of South American magic he believes more than ever that his own unique brand of coaching, honed in the back alleys and tenements of his homeland, is best placed to offer those youngsters blessed with extra-special gifts a path out of obscurity and into the limelight.

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Blades sign up two more FURD protégés as full scholars

Two further protégés of FURD Talent Identification Officer Luis Silva were unveiled to the 19,000 crowd at the Sheffield United v Swindon Town game on 13th April. Fahad Ishmail joined the Academy as a 13 year…

17 Apr 2013 / News /

FURD referral Kler Heh wins professional contract with the Blades

Sheffield United have awarded a one year professional contract to several second-year scholars, including FURD referral Kler Heh. Another FURD referral in the Blades development squad, Fahad Ishmael, is to be…

09 Apr 2015 / News /

FA report on the Suarez-Evra racism case

The full 115 page report of the FA's investigation into the allegations by Patrice Evra of racism by Luis Suarez can now be accessed from our site. The report, called 'The Football Association and Luis…

04 Jan 2012 / News /

Go Mukhtar!

Congratulations to former FURD trainee Mukhtar Mohammed, who won a bronze medal for Great Britain in the 800 metres at the European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden on Sunday 3rd March. Mukhtar…

06 Mar 2013 / News /

Disappointment for Kyle as Blades cup-tie suffers dramatic postponement

FURD staff understand that Kyle Walker, the first player to be recommended by FURD coaches to Sheffield United, had been selected for his first team Blades debut at Leyton Orient on Saturday 3rd January.…

07 Jan 2009 / News /

FURD prodige Liban Abdi scores against FC Porto

Liban Abdi Ali made history at the weekend by becoming the first player from Somalia to score a goal in Portuguese top-flight football. The 23-year-old, in his first season at Olhanense after transferring from…

03 Sep 2012 / News /

Liban Abdi scores winning goal for Blades in Budapest

FURD protégé LIBAN ABDI celebrated his call-up to the Blades senior squad with the winning goal against Hungarian side Ferencvaros. Liban's well-place header, following a Jon Stead cross in the 10th…

27 Mar 2008 / News /

Howard recalls the day we met Pele

FURD's founder, chair of Trustees and former Project Co-ordinator Howard Holmes, recounts this story about the day he met Pele:

08 Feb 2023 / News /

Mukhtar Finland-bound as Olympic dream close to reality

Former FURD volunteer Mukhtar Mohammed is closing in on an Olympic place following a dramatic second place in the UK Athletics trials in Birmingham. Mukhtar has been training with an elite team of African…

26 Jun 2012 / News /

Football Unites boys shine in Blades Youth Cup thriller

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…

14 Dec 2006 / News /

Ahmed Hassan

Ahmed Hassan, who tragically died in Monday's accident, had been attending coaching sessions at Football Unites, Racism Divides for several years, first at Firvale Sports Centre, and later at…

16 Jul 2009 / News /

Goalkeeper wanted

Football Unites is supporting a new under-16 boys football team, Positive Futures FC, and we need a goalkeeper! The player must be under the age of 16 in August 2006. The team will play in the Sheffield &…

16 Aug 2006 / News /

Kyle's debut for Blades wins praise from manager

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell praised the performance of debutant Kyle Walker in the 4-1 Third Round FA Cup win at Leyton Orient. "He showed today some real quality, and hit a terrific ball in for…

14 Jan 2009 / News /

FURD's 5's qualify for regional finals

FURD’s 5’s is a small team set up by one of our volunteer coaches, Paul Rodda. He decided to set a team up as he felt he could have a very successful team with the players around him from FURD's…

07 Mar 2011 / News /

Football Unites down the lane

Football Unites showed their support for the FARE Action Week on Saturday 23 October. Staff and volunteers from the project distributed Stickers, Kick It Out fanzines and Show Racism the Red Card team posters…

24 Oct 2004 / News /

Jimmy's Big Irish Adventure

FURD's first participation in the SARI INTER-CULTURAL SOCCER FESTIVAL, held in Dublin's Pheonix Park over the weekend of 9-10th September, was a fabulous experience for the 13 young people and workers…

13 Sep 2006 / News /

FURD welcomes appointment of Asian manager at world's oldest club

Football Unites coaches are delighted at the appointment of Chris Dolby as the manager of Sheffield FC. Chris, as well as his assistant Gavin Smith, are well known to coaches, players and staff at FURD, both…

16 Jul 2008 / News /

FURD volunteer coach passes away

We at FURD with extreme sadness want to inform you all that Mohamed

23 Feb 2021 / News /

First ever FURD prodigy stars on league debut

Kyle Walker, who was the first player to be recommended to Sheffield United by FURD coaches Luis Silva and Paul Archer back in 1997, has made an impressive league debut at Division One team Northampton Town.…

18 Nov 2008 / News /

Summer action!

Football Unites is running a summer programme of activities for young people in Sheffield. Most activities are open to all, but some are restricted due to numbers or funding requirements. Here’s what’s…

26 Jul 2006 / News /

Coaching success for FURD young people

Fifteen young people involved with Football Unites, Racism Divides and the Kickz project have successfully completed and passed their FA Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Football. The course was run by…

01 Mar 2011 / News /

African Cup of Nations final with FURD

While the British media were wrapped up in the ongoing feud between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra last weekend, an event organised by FURD for the final of the African Cup of Nations between Zambia and Ivory…

14 Feb 2012 / News /

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