FOOTBALLERS took to the pitch at Milnrow’s Soccer Village to raise funds for charity.
More than £2,000 was raised at the 10th annual Rochdale Asia Amir Qayyum Memorial Football Tournament. Players from Scunthorpe, Keighley, Manchester, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale tried the chances on the indoor pitch, with organisers forced to turn away a further 10 teams due to the sheer demand. And – to mark the 10th year of the tournament – a special masters over 35s exhibition was contested between Manchester and Rochdale ahead of the Grand Final. Hundreds of spectators, including deputy mayor Zulf Ali, turned out to cheer on the teams with Coppice FC walking away with the trophy after defeating Haji FC 5 – 1 in the final. Nathan Eastwood was named player of the tournament.
The tournament raised £2,000, which has been donated to the charity Skate, which will divide the money between a number of good causes, including Springhill Hospice.