London APSA and Sporting Bengal meet in first Essex Senior League fixture

Wednesday 28 Sep 2011
Back to news >

London APSA and Sporting Bengal, two teams which have been standard bearers of the Asian football community in east London for a number of years, meet for their first ever Essex Senior League fixture against each other this evening (28 September) at Clapton FC’s Old Spotted Dog Ground.

The two teams have come a long way in their relatively short histories, and have met in the Asian League, the Asian Championships and the FA Cup previously.

London APSA hail from Newham and are the older of the two clubs, having established in 1993.

Three years later, Sporting Bengal arrived on the scene in Tower Hamlets. In a unique set-up, the team is made up of the best players from the Bangladesh Football Association UK (BFAUK) league which is home to nearly 30 teams in the borough.

This season has begun in a positive way for both sides in the Essex Senior League. After four games each, APSA are on nine points and Bengal have seven, while both have made it through to the first round proper of the FA Vase following victories at the weekend.

Former Wycombe Wanderers striker Shahed Ahmed, said: “I’m very excited and feel privileged to be captain of Sporting Bengal in such a big game. It seems after many years of inconsistency with players that both teams have finally got their best squads so I feel the time is right for this game. There is a real buzz in both camps and confidence is high.”

APSA skipper Urfat Hussain reiterated Ahmed’s sentiments, saying: “I’ve played for APSA for a long time, going back to the Asian League days where our two clubs would battle it out. The atmosphere is tense at the start and rises steadily to a crescendo when goals go in.”

Tickets for the fixture have been lowered to just £2.50.

From Desiballers

Report an incident of discrimination confidentiallymore >

 

  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
"We have a responsibility as players to give something back and I’m really thankful to be part of this organisation because we can do a lot of good."
Jack Butland, 'Next 20' Ambassador
“A big part of my involvement with Kick It Out stems from my strong admiration for the organisation’s commitment to fairness and equality.”
Clive Tyldesley, football commentator
“It was Kick It Out that convinced the people in football that change was possible.”
Greg Dyke, former FA chairman
“I wanted to thank the campaigners at Kick It Out for their work. I know first-hand how Kick It Out can help.”
Yaya Toure, Manchester City midfielder
“It is important for me in my role as a Kick It Out ‘Next 20’ ambassador to teach young people how to handle discrimination and treat people with respect.”
Romelu Lukaku, 'Next 20' Ambassador
“It is a massive honour for me to be an ambassador for such a great organisation. I think they do great work on and off the field.”
Toni Duggan, 'Next 20' Ambassador
"It really helped me to see that other professional sports people were acknowledging their sexuality. I read about John Amaechi, Gareth Thomas and Tom Daley. They weren't footballers but the fact that they went public gave me the feeling that I was not alone."
Thomas Hitzlsperger, former Aston Villa midfielder
"There was no conflict between religion and the fact that I wanted to play football. I was brought up correctly and in the right way and my parents are very proud of the fact that I am a professional footballer."
Sadio Mané, Liverpool winger
“I think it’s important to share success stories and realise that there are women operating in the game. If it’s something you want to do, you can do it.”
Ffion Eade, Hampshire FA referee
"I've had loads of negative comments from men, especially growing up. It's just boring and old. Times have changed, and they continue to change. Women play football, and they're good at it, and have been for a number of years.”
Kelly Smith, England Women's record goalscorer
"Despite the progress, stereotypes still exist in football and until that is broken down it will be extremely difficult for a woman to manage a top level men's team."
Rachel Yankey, former Arsenal Ladies forward
"There’s no hiding that there is sexism in sport. We have a lack of women right across all levels of management, playing and coaching. It shows the closed nature of sport in general and this includes the media. It’s an indictment of sport as a whole."
Rimla Akhtar, Kick It Out trustee and Chair of the Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation
“I’m proud to be a supporter of Kick It Out and particularly the work they are doing to combat antisemitism within football.”
Joe Jacobson, Wycombe Wanderers midfielder
"With Kick It Out leading the way football is standing up and fighting against those who preach hatred and intolerance and we at Chelsea are proud to support their work."
Bruce Buck, Chelsea Football Club Chairman

Archives

  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010