We recently worked with Ciaran Alexander at Beds FA, Active Luton and Luton Council to support Beds FA to run the First Ramadan Midnight Trophy at Inspire Sports Village in Luton.

Over 10 teams entered from around Bedfordshire including teams from Luton and Bedford. Teams such as Luton Tigers, Luton United, Queens Park Crescents and Al Hira Mosque. They also had a team called Bedford Griffins who play in the Beds FA Disability league which was fantastic and great for the lads to be involved and showed the competition was inclusive for all whatever your race or religion. This tournament was about bringing communities together but other communities who don't observe Ramadan for them also to understand what Ramadan is and what it is about. It was also an opportunity for stakeholders to create more opportunities for who are observing Ramadan to have a more active lifestyle.

The competition was fierce, and the tournament was played in great spirit, even if did get a bit competitive towards the closing stages! Bedford Griffins opened up the Ramadan Midnight Trophy with a 9-1 against 8Rakaat in Group two while Luton Tigers and Someone Better (Al Hira) drew 3-3 in a tight game in Group one. Opening wins for Queens Park Crescents and Luton United in Group two meant it was tight at the start of groups and nothing to separate sides in the two groups.

Misfits and Luton United started to dominate Group 2 and collected wins from their remaining games against Young AKZ, Bedford Griffins and 8Rakaat meaning Luton United topped Group 2 with Misfits finishing 2^nd after only losing one game which was against Luton United 3-1.

Group 1 was a lot closer with Luton Tigers picking up 3 wins in their remaining games against Deadpool FC, Luton United and Queens Park Crescents 1-0 in a close game to finish top while Queens Park Crescents and Someone Better were battling out for 2^nd. Someone Better gave themselves the best chance after winning their final group game leaving Queens Park Crescents only needing a point against Luton United in their final game. Luton United took the lead only for Queens Park Crescents to equalise and take them through to the final on goal difference.

The Semi Finals brought Misfits and Luton Tigers together and Luton Tigers comfortably winning 3-1 to move into the final. In The other semi final Queens Park Crescents played Luton United and again this was a comfortable win for the Bedford side winning 3-0 and knocking their Luton rivals out.

The final brought a replay of group one game between Luton Tigers and Queens Park Crescents which ended with the Tigers winning 1-0. The game started very tight with players playing safe and not taking risks until a mistake by Queens Park Crescents defender allowed a ball to be put in the box which a Luton Tigers player finished with a diving header to make it 1-0. Luton Tigers followed that goal with two more before Queens Park Crescents pulled one back. Luton Tigers made sure with two mins to go through extending their lead with a sublime finish to make it 5-2 and give Luton Tigers the win and become the Beds FA First Ramadan Midnight Champions. Overall an amazing event which sore over 60 adults playing football between midnight and 2am and also celebrating Ramadan.

Watch the video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=naRozOToYvM

The Beds FA will be hosting a tournament for all winners and runners up from all the Ramadan competitions in the country in the near future and The following competitions will take place over the summer for children and adults in Bedfordshire.

28^TH July – U10 and U12 Mosque Cups @ Beds FA

5^th July – U14 and U16 Mosque Cups @ Beds FA

26^th August – Adult 16+ Tournament @ Beds FA

If you are interested in taking part and entering a team please contact Ciaran.Alexander@bedfordshirefa.com

Ciaran Alexander, Football Development Officer South | BedfordshireFA

Direct Dial: 01582 567725 | Mobile: 07921 451105