The Mirror

20 August 2005

THE F.A.SIAN CUP

First Asian team plays in contest

Exclusive By Andy Lines

THE first Asian team to play in the FA Cup makes its debut on Saturday.

Sporting Bengal United, mainly Bangladeshis from East London, face Hertfordshire side Ware Town in the extra preliminary round.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick will attend to mark the achievement.

Club chairman Suroth Miah said: "We feel very, very proud to be the first Asian side in the FA Cup.

"Our participation is a historic moment for the Asian community in this country.

"We want to take the community forward by being successful and push Asian players into mainstream football."

Six seasons ago Sporting Bengal played on Sundays at Hackney Marshes.

There has been concern at the lack of Asian youngsters making a breakthrough into top football. Sporting Bengal pick top Asian talent from sides all over London and dream of making it into the Football League.

They usually get a modest crowd of around 125 at their Mile End stadium home ground but had 5,000 for an exhibition match against a side from Bangladesh.

Mr Miah, 32, a member of the first Sporting Bengal team in 1996, said: "That shows the interest in the local community is there."

Sporting Bengal was awarded senior status by the FA in 2003 but competed for two years in the Kent Senior League before being allowed a place in the FA Cup.

FA Sports Equity Manager Lucy Faulkner said: "Some ethnic groups are still under represented but this club's progress is of tremendous importance. It's another step to football being fully representative."

mirror.co.uk