Community Cup 2008
Luton United FC in partnership with Bedfordshire and Luton fire service announce the inaugural Community Cup match played on Wednesday 7th May at Luton Town Football Club Kick Off 7.30pm This is the culmination of an 8 month project in which the fire service funded a host of events including football coaching and the running of the faith based football league in which faiths from across the town have come together to compete in a small sided football league. A representative team from the league has been selected to play alongside each other in celebration of the importance of community cohesion.
Head coach of Luton United FC Butch Fazal commented "Over the past 4 weeks I have been coaching players from Poland, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and England the one thing that binds them together is they all live and work in Britain and all citizens of this country. They have come together as a team and this game is an acknowledgment of their efforts to understand each other and football has been the unifying factor. We had Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Christians all playing alongside each other with one common goal, absolutely fantastic" Chief Fire Officer Paul Fuller said "Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service are delighted to sponsor this project and event and this evening's game is the celebration of the excellent partnership that has evolved between the Service and many facets of our Black and Ethnic Minority (BEM) communities. This partnership is already enabling us to deliver our fire and road safety messages and safety education into the heart of our schools and BEM communities, as well as developing our own representation of those communities"
LUFC would also like to acknowledge contributions from Luton Sixth Form College, Shahi Nan, Trust in Luton and finally a special mention for Luton Town Football Club who have kindly given the venue and conference facilities for the night free of charge club secretary Cherry Newberry said "Luton Town is very pleased to support the community by hosting the final of The Community Cup between Beds and Luton Fire Service and the Faith Based Football League and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the match" Entry on the night is free of charge and everyone is welcome dignitaries such as the Mayor, the LBC Chief Executive and England cricketer Monty Panesar will be present on the night.