Football team clinches regional @ECFA12 title

The male football team at Tameside College are elated after taking the title in the north west English College’s Football Association (ECFA) league.

The team, which compete in category 3F, beat tough competition from Nelson and Colne College and Wigan and Leigh College in the final two matches of the competition, winning 7-0 and 8-0 respectively and putting them nine points ahead to take the title.

Luke Podmore, sports development lead at Tameside College, who has managed the team for the last four years, is also head coach for FC United’s women’s team and has helped them to a similar victory in division one of the north west league.

Luke, said: “This is a fantastic way to bring the academic year to a close. These learners have represented the college immaculately all year and it’s great for them to actually convert all the effort and commitment in to winning the league. We have learners from several programme areas all coming together as a team on a weekly basis which has enhanced their social experience at college and has helped raise their aspirations. Some learners in this team had never played football on a full size pitch and through the enrichment representative football team, they have created experiences that they will never forget.”

Mohammadou Balde, captain of Tameside College’s male football team, said: “It has been an unforgettable personal and collective experience for us. It has helped us understand each other better and make great friends. We have learnt a lot and we have improved our skills hugely. It took great team work to win this league and I am proud of the work of Luke, the team manager and myself for stepping up to captain. It’s been great.”

Next year the team will compete in the newly created Greater Manchester division two of the North West ECFA league. To find out more about enrichment opportunities for students visit the college website www.tameside.ac.uk.