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Sunny Singh Gill to officiate Northampton Town vs Hartlepool in League Two on Saturday and will become first British South Asian to referee an English Football League game since his dad Jarnail Singh over a decade ago; Jarnail Singh is the first turbaned referee in league football history

Sunny Singh Gill will take charge of Northampton Town vs Hartlepool on Saturday.

Sunny’s father, Jarnail Singh was the first turbaned referee in the history of English league football and took charge of more than 150 games. Jarnail retired from league officiating in 2011 and now advises the Football Association.

Sunny said he has his sights set on the Premier League following the announcement that he would emulate his father after earning promotion to the EFL National Group of match referees.

“To follow in my father’s footsteps and become the next South Asian, and Sikh-Punjabi, to be promoted as an EFL referee is a proud moment,”

Sporting Khalsa FC won the Annual Diversity Football Festival 2022 by beating Punjab United 3-1 in the final game to win the trophy for the 2nd year running.

For the second consecutive year, the BAME Football Forum have bought Non-League football clubs together to celebrate diversity and the success of non-league clubs that are leading the way for Black and South Asian communities in terms of playing, managing, coaching, volunteering and operationally running clubs.

The event is used as a pre-season tournament with prominent BAME clubs that play Semi Professional in the National non-league structure. The event took place on Saturday 2nd July at the University of Leicester playing fields on Stoughton Drive, Leicester, and was attended by Football Governing bodies, Ex-professionals, Semi-professionals, and communities from across the Country.

This unique festival has found a place in the busy football environment that no one else has managed to fill. The year’s annual event also played host to highest ranked 4 BAME clubs – Leicester Nirvana (Leicester) Tier 9, Sporting Bengal (London) Tier 9, Punjab United (London) Tier 9 and Sporting Khalsa (Birmingham) Tier 8

The main objectives of the festival is highlight the success of BAME clubs in the non-league/semi-professional leagues and to promote BAME Officials, Players, Coaches and Managers to wider audiences in a safe environment. A soon to be released survey report by the forum, has found that, of those who said discrimination of a racial kind in local football in their area was getting worse, 23% of those felt unsafe.

BAME Football Forum Chair, Ivan Liburd said, “This is a great opportunity for football partners, communities, clubs, and supporters to align to a fantastic festival of football. We are already in talks with various football bodies to support next year’s event on a larger scale so that we can accommodate even more clubs. Which is what the festival deserved."

Watch the Matchday Vlog from some of the games at the festival below. 👇

https://youtu.be/AjvSBQnvPMQ

Congrats to Zidane Iqbal for extending his stay at Manchester United till 2025. The Manchester-born midfielder of Pakistani and Iraqi heritage debuted for the club in last season's UCL.

Route One get their hands on the prize after pulsating final on Sunday 13th June 2022

There was a sense of redemption for Route One Rovers from Bradford when they won the annual Star Tissue UK championships at the second time of asking.

They came out 4-3 winners against Prestwich Marauders in a game full of goals, missed chances, great saves and a defining penalty. It came 10 months after they lost the same final after being 2-0 with 30 minutes to go. Back then a penalty and a sending off turned the same in their opponents favour.

The Football Championships attracts clubs from across the North West and Yorkshire and this year was played over several weeks at Witton Park 3G Pitches, Blackburn.

In a pulsating first half full of incidents and action it was Route One who started the stronger. Prestwich had a few opportunities to clear the ball but when a low pass fizzed across the goal line, somehow centre back and captain was Mwembie was there to tap his side ahead.

If nothing else the goal seemed to inspire Prestwich who are one of those sides who only turn up when they go one down.

Their pressure paid off as an acute throw-ball found Obz who sent the Marauders faithful wild with a deft finish. The game was all set for a classic but was turned on its head 30 minutes in.

A wonderful mazy run from the deep by Farooq ended with him being fouled in the box. It may have been a yellow card and a penalty on another day but here the referee saw it as a foul on the last man bearing down on goal.

The resulting penalty put Route One in the driving seat.

Any other side may well have wilted against this Route One side but even with a man down Prestwich, did manage to create some great chances. The never say die attitude was on show throughout the game and despite coming into the game as outsiders they looked the more accomplished for periods of the match.

The banter between the fans was reaching fever pitch but on it the teams were putting great attacking displays.

However, despite their best efforts Prestwich couldn’t stop Anees Younis from nicking in to make it 3-1 to Route One. Then Prestwich had keeper Nomi to thank for keeping his side in the match.

Prestwich won a penalty of their own with 25 minutes to go which Zubair emphatically dispatched to make it 3-2. Game still alive. A fourth by Zak Khan put Route One within touching distance of glory but there was still time for Prestwich to hit back again.

For Prestwhich they can look back on three games where they were in fine form showcasing an array of talent going forward. Whilst much is made of their attacking capabilities in many ways it was their back line and keeper who should be credited from halting a strong Route One for long periods of the game.

Free-scoring Route One were in many ways deserved champions. They came through this one having got the crucial goals at the right time and will be a force to be reckoned with if they return to defend the title again.

Simni Oyebaji picked up the player award for his perfomances during the tournament.

Presenting the main trophy on the day was the Lord Mayor of Lahore Col (Retired) Mubashir Javed and Mazar Choudrhy who were visiting Blackburn over the weekend. They had earlier been invited to tour Star Tissue UK.

Commenting on his visit Mr Javed said: “It was wonderful visiting Blackburn and a huge thank you for the warm welcome.

“It was excellent to see the pride and passion the teams and their fans had for the game of football. Very much like people have for cricket in my home city!

“It was also good to see the numbers of young people from all backgrounds getting involved in sport and how level of talent has been developed within these clubs.”

News report of the tournament from Shakil Salam of Duniya News UK 👇
https://youtu.be/fWpZA_YtARI

Mal Benning aims to inspire more Sikh & British Asian footballers

Mal Benning wants to inspire the next generation of Indian Sikh players as he goes for promotion with Port Vale.

The left-back believes Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two play-off final against his old club Mansfield at Wembley is the perfect platform to provide hope.

Benning is from Indian Sikh parents and started his career at Walsall before spending six years at Mansfield, joining Vale from the Stags last year.

Now, as he prepares to play at Wembley for the first time, Benning knows the magnitude of his achievement for his culture.

He said: “To be involved is special, especially being from an Indian background, it’s special for me and my origin. I take a lot of pride in that.

“When I first started out in football, you see a lot of lads start for two years and drop out. I’ve continued for 10 years and I hope to act as a role model for young Asian lads coming through.

“There are more and more now. Playing at Wembley is special and it would be my first time but the main thing for me is representing the Indian Sikh culture at Wembley. I’m playing on the biggest stage of them all and it shows others it is possible.

“Being on TV at Wembley you might have some who don’t even know me, from an Indian or Asian background, thinking ‘he’s one of us and he’s playing at Wembley’.

Having that exposure will give hope to those coming through. There might be parents out there thinking they don’t want them to go into football because of this, that or the other, but playing on the biggest stage brings light to it that it is possible.”

Sunderland defender Danny Batth has an Indian father, as does former Newcastle and Cardiff striker Michael Chopra, but there are few Asian players in the professional game.

Benning, though, feels the cultural barrier is no longer there and hopes to see the next generation of players come through.

“If you asked me 10 years ago I’d probably say yes, it was there, but as the years have gone by and how the world has adapted I don’t think we can use it as an excuse any more,” said the 28-year-old. “But I do think we need to be that little bit better than everyone else just to gain recognition.

“The cultural thing has gone now, there are a lot of parents who are pushing their kids and there are more coming through. I hope we can see more in the future.

“Over the 10 years it has grown but not to the numbers where we’re saying ‘yes, there’s a pathway’. Hopefully the more recognition and people making it, more can come through to the professional game.”

Vale finished fifth in League Two, a point ahead of Mansfield, having beaten Swindon in their play-off semi final.

Sunderland defender Danny Batth has an Indian father too and also last week helped Sunderland gain promotion in the League Two play-off final at Wembley.

Crawley Town FC manager leaves club after allegations of racism towards his own players

Crawley Town FC have announced the departure of manager John Yems following an investigation into claims that he used discriminatory language and behaviour against his own players.
Yems was suspended by the League Two club last month following what it described as "serious and credible" allegations made against the 62-year-old.

Yems' alleged conduct is being investigated by the Football Association, which issued a statement recently saying "We are aware of allegations made against Crawley manager John Yems.
"We are treating the allegations extremely seriously and are currently conducting an investigation into them.
"We cannot comment further until that has concluded."

The allegations against Yems included the use of discriminatory language towards black and Asian players at the club and a former Crawley player has alleged that the club's changing room was segregated on racial grounds as players from ethnic minorities were made to change separately from their white teammates.

PFA has offered counselling and support to those who raised the allegations or have been affected by them.

Premier League and Kick It Out launch South Asian Action Plan. Partnership aims to enhance diversity in the Academy system across English football

"The partnership with Kick It Out will provide us with independent diversity and inclusion expertise" Neil Saunders, Premier League Director of Football

The Premier League has launched the South Asian Action Plan alongside Kick It Out, to help address the underrepresentation of British South Asian players within the Academy system.

The new initiative will support one of the key commitments of the League's ongoing No Room For Racism Action Plan, to enhance player pathways and help diversify the workforce within the professional game.

The South Asian Action Plan (SAAP) will have an initial focus on players entering the Academy system in the Under-9 to Under-11 age groups, when most boys join a club.

This will include analysis and research to better understand what the current barriers to entry are for South Asian players.

Alongside this, increasing South Asian representation within the Academy workforce will be a key component of the action taken, as well as providing equality, diversity and inclusion education sessions for existing Talent ID and recruitment professionals.

The South Asian Action Plan is a long-term project which will enable us to look at and improve the diversity of everyone within the Academy system, both on and off the pitch," said Neil Saunders, Director of Football at the Premier League.

Football festivals
"The partnership with Kick It Out will provide us with independent diversity and inclusion expertise and enable us to further enhance connections between the Premier League and South Asian communities."

The launch of the SAAP took place yesterday with a talent identification event at Aston Villa's stadium, Villa Park. More than 80 Academy staff, including Academy managers, recruitment leads and heads of equality, diversity and inclusion, joined a day of workshops and panel sessions.

South Asian Emerging Talent football festivals will take place in London and at Leicester City's training ground in May to continue action in this space.

These events will provide boys aged between eight and 12 from grassroots clubs the opportunity to showcase their talents and participate in matches in front of Academy staff in a Premier League environment.

"The South Asian Action Plan is a crucial step forward to build on recent successes and develop sustainable pathways into the game for South Asian players," said Sanjay Bhandari, Kick It Out Chair.

"Representation of South Asians on the pitch in elite football is a statistical anomaly. Currently, it reflects neither the population nor the popularity of football amongst the British South Asian community. We love the game as fans and want to be seen more on the pitch.

"This is a generational opportunity to create change and inspire the next generation. We look forward to working with the Premier League and our other partners across the game to deliver it."

The Premier League will also continue to support and amplify other football stakeholders' work in this space, including the PFA's Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme, which provides mentoring and help to players in Academies at both Premier League and EFL clubs

PNE Senagalese Muslim Central Defender Bambo Diaby Meets Muslim Supporters With Break Your Fast Event At Deepdale recently.

Bambo Diaby explained that he hopes he can help the local Muslim community – and that they in turn can return that support – as he again gave up his time to support Preston North End Community and Education Trust’s [PNECET] Ramadan project last week.

Preston North End Community & Education Trust (PNECET) is delivering a month-long initiative throughout April to support local Muslim residents, who are fasting during Ramadan, by providing free biryani, dates and water, three nights a week across three different locations in Preston.

A highlight of the celebrations came just shy of a fortnight ago when the club and PNECET together held an event at Deepdale which invited 350 Muslim supporters and residents to spend their evening and break their fast together inside Deepdale Stadium at Preston North End.

Fasting – which is to abstain from eating or drinking - occurs from sunrise to sunset every evening during Ramadan and the act of breaking that fast is the first time a Muslim will eat or drink since before sunrise or perhaps even the previous evening.

As a practising Muslim himself, it’s something Bambo can relate to – having broken his fast, for example, while on the bench for the Lancashire derby against Blackpool earlier this month – with the sun setting at approximately 8pm that evening.

After joining with the deliveries of free food on the first night of the initiative at the start of April, Bambo was back at Deepdale again to attend the Break Your Fast event by meeting and praying with fans and breaking his fast alongside them.

He said: “For me it’s very special to come back and to meet my Muslim brothers and sisters. I enjoy it a lot, I enjoy it with them, to share my experiences with Ramadan and everything on the pitch, my experience with the club. I’m very excited and happy to do it again.

“For me it’s very important because it’s an opportunity to explain the way you live in the football when you are a Muslim and for them to know how you feel on the pitch. They try to help you, to support more, and that’s what I want. The Muslim community are helping me to do that, they are doing very excellent, I’m very happy with that and very proud of that.

“I want them to understand that, to help us, and I want to help them as well to explain my situation. I want to see them here in Deepdale helping us, helping me, and helping all the Muslim community.”

📸 The team has also been at the House of Commons just a few days ago to receive the EFL Championship Community Project of the Season award in recognition of their PR1-Community project in their local communities to distribute free food, water and dates to Muslims who are fasting during the holy month, which began over the weekend. 🏆

For more information about PNECET’s Ramadan project, please email [email protected].

Anwar Uddin made England match history

Anwar Uddin became the first assistant manager of an England men's side from a British South Asian background; Uddin assisted Paul Fairclough for the England C game against Wales C at Caernarfon Town; Pav Singh, Irfan Kawri and Ebrahim Seedat also part of England coaching support team

Anwar Uddin made history last month as the first assistant manager of an England men's side hailing from Britain's South Asian community.

Ex-Dagenham & Redbridge skipper Uddin, joined the FA Council last year and is assistant to long-serving Paul Fairclough for the England C non-league side's match with Wales C at Caernarfon Town.

The game was to be an extra special occasion for the British South Asian community in particular, with half of the England C team of coaches from a South Asian background.

Joining Fairclough and Uddin as part of the support team preparing England for this fixture have been Pav Singh and Irfan Kawri, who are two of the most respected British South Asian coaches in English football. Balham FC manager Ebrahim Seedat is also part of the coaching support team.

Singh is a former Harrogate Town player and has previously been a youth coach at both Leeds United and Bradford City. The Sikh-Punjabi is currently assistant manager at West Yorkshire side Liversedge and also works as an FA coach developer.

Kawri is the former Zambia national team assistant coach and has worked in various roles in football at clubs across the English football pyramid including QPR, Wigan, Bolton, Burton and Chorley.

Uddin is the first British-Bangladeshi to play professional football in England and spent two-and-a-half years as assistant manager to Danny Searle at Aldershot.

Shin Aujla from official Three Lions supporters' group Apna England said: "We are so proud of Anwar, Pav and Irfan who are part of a really talented crop of coaches coming out of the community.

It's not every day you get to see British South Asian lads wearing the Three Lions across their chest, let alone three of them wearing them! That will no doubt inspire people from all backgrounds, but especially the kids and the coaches from minority communities in football.

"It really is something to celebrate and it sends out a message of hope. What a great advert for English football and coaching at a time when there is a real spotlight on diversity."

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Amateur football club gets amazing video message from World Cup winner Paul Pogba

A MANCHESTER United star has congratulated a Bradford-based amateur asian football team on winning a cup in a special video message.

Paul Pogba, who has also won the World Cup for France, sent a video message to Route One Rovers after they won the Bradford District Cup to become the first club in the competition history to be from a BAME community to win it.

Pogba is friends with Route One Rovers manager and wished his side well after their 2-0 victory over Athletico FC in Wednesday night’s showpiece clash. Mohammad Arshad and Sinmi Oyebanji scored the goal
In the 26-second video, filmed in the back seat of a car, Pogba said: “I want to tell you congratulations on winning the tournament to Route One Rovers. I really, really appreciate that, I like that.
“Congratulations to you and enjoy, enjoy. I hope to see you soon. Ciao.”

For someone of Pogba's stature endorsing British Asian Football is a massive statement.

Route One Rovers should once again be participating in the 2022 Asian Image Cup coming very soon. Watch out for the latest updates right here.

Spotlight on British South Asian team Sporting Khalsa from being a Sunday Football League team to now being only seven promotions away from the holy grail of the Premier League Football.

Sporting Khalsa became the first club borne out of the South Asian community to play in the eighth tier of the modern-day pyramid after a non-League restructure earlier this season was approved by the FA Council.

The National League System (Non-League) restructure saw 110 clubs between Steps 5 and 7 (five and seven divisions below E.F.L League Two) promoted based on an unweighted points-per-game system over the last two seasons - with a new division administered by the Northern Premier League created at Step 4 which is English football's eighth tier and Sporting Khalsa were placed n the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands (Tier 8)

Other notable examples of South Asian borne clubs in the football pyramid system are Leicester Nirvana, Kent side Punjab United, and East London's Sporting Bengal who are all in Tier 9 which is one step below Sporting Khalsa.

Sporting Khalsa was started by group of aspiring South Asian footballers and play at the Guardian Warehousing Arena, across the road from Willenhall Memorial Park where the club's Sikh-Punjabi founders used to get together for a weekend kickabout before their official formation and entry to the local Walsall and District Sunday League in 1991.

They now run sides from U5s to U21s for players from all backgrounds, in addition to men's and women's first teams.

Top-ranked clubs from each of the North West Counties League, Northern Counties East League and Northern League were considered and eligible for upward movement to Step 4" and were invited to make an application to join the new division, along with the highest-ranked clubs from the other divisions at Step 5.

Sporting Khalsa had the highest points-per-game total in the Midland Football League Premier Division for the relevant period (2.19), ahead of Coventry United (1.95) and Romulus (1.9).

They accepted the invitation to apply for a place in the proposed new division at Step 4 and met the additional league requirements. It was a "fitting" way for Sporting Khalsa to go up in their 30th anniversary year.

Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, Preet Kaur Gill, is the Member of Parliament for nearby Birmingham Edgbaston and has been a long-term supporter of Sporting Khalsa and their vital inclusion work across communities.

Gill, who is Britain's first Sikh female Member of Parliament, said: "It's fantastic that Sporting Khalsa are set to earn historic promotion to English football's eighth tier as one of 110 clubs to go up in the non-league restructure. This is great news for the club and its fans."

We would also like to hear from you if you are connected to any similar clubs within the football league pyramid. Just DM us and we will cover you on our future shows.

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