By Emdad Rahman
Ten teams participated in the Tower Hamlets Fathers Football tournament organised by Ambassadors Football. The eight-a-side football showpiece which took place at Stepney Astroturf is now firmly established in the local football calendar. Participating schools included Seven Mills, Smithy, Redlands, John Scurr, Marion Richardson, Globe, George Greens, Biglands and two from Cubbitt Town.
The final between Smithy and Seven Mills finished 0-0 in normal game time. Both teams had earlier met in the group rounds and Seven Mills had won 2-0. With the scores standing at 3-3 on penalties, the injured Abdul Sabur showed nerves of steel to step up and score the winning penalty in sudden death. Seven Mills playmaker R.M. Ramsey, aged 51, was unanimously voted man of the tournament and Globetown goalkeeper John Reid was the clear critics choice as outstanding goalkeeper.
Winning captain Mo Hayder has now lifted the trophy a record 5 times. The veteran is enjoying the success: “Nothing beats winning and it’s taken us two tournaments to secure our fifth title. The boys were magnificent throughout. Our achievement is still sinking in. A big thank you to Gareth Haddow and Ambassadors Football for all the hard work put in.”
Gareth Haddow from Ambassadors Football said: “The fathers football summer tournament involved ten school teams from Tower Hamlets. It was a wonderful day where fathers of different ages, ethnic backgrounds and beliefs came together to celebrate football and be a community. Congratulations Seven Mills on a fifth title.”
Author’s note: With Seven Mills winning the trophy a fifth time it’s only proper that Ambassadors Football retire the current trophy and award it to the Docklands outfit for keeps!
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