Youngsters raise over £700 for Sefton Afghan Appeal through Biograd Cup 2021

Young football stars put on a scintillating display as they played in The Biograd Cup 2021 in Southport, raising over £700 for the Sefton Afghan Appeal.

Southport Athletic Junior Football Club hosted the junior football tournament at Ferryside Lane in Crossens on Saturday where they were joined by Under 9 teams from Churchtown Jaguars, Southport Trinity Whites, Kirkby Town and Southport Hesketh Juniors. 

The focus of the event was fun, enjoyment of football and participation, while raising funds for those families who have had to flee their country due to the war in Afghanistan. 

A total of £747.14 was raised for the Sefton Afghan Appeal, thanks to generous donations on the day, plus £300 sponsorship from Biograd, and £80 from Edgar’s Famly Fuit.

The trophy was presented to the winning team, from Southport Athletic JFC, by Andrew Brown from Stand Up For Southport. 

Southport Athletic JFC  is a newly formed club, founded in March last year to help develop young footballers aged 6 to 16. It was founded from the previous Phoenix FC under a completely new management. 

The club has an inclusive culture and wants the young players to enjoy their footballing experience, putting enjoyment of the game first, above the pursuit of trophies.

Paul Mullan runs Southport Athletic Junior Football Club along with friends Alan McCoombe and Ben Minto. 

Paul Mullan said: “Thank you to everyone who came down on Saturday and to our sponsors who helped us to raise £747.14 for the Sefton Afghan Appeal. 

“I was quite shocked that we managed to raise so much! 

“We were grateful for the £300 sponsorship from Biograd and the £80 from Edgar’s Famly Fuit in addition to all the donations on the day. 

“It was an amazing tournament. There have been so many positive comments from parents who were there through our What’s App group saying how positive the event was, and how supportive the referees and coaches were towards the children playing. 

“It allowed the players to enjoy playing football in the tournament with no pressure. Seeing the kids enjoying themselves so much was fantastic. 

“Southport Athletic is a very inclusive club. We just want youngsters to be able to enjoy their football, regardless of ability. 

“We want children to be able to take part in sports outdoors and not sit at home in front of a PS4 or a PS5. 

“It is all about enjoyment, participation and inclusivity. The main aim is to encourage as many kids playing football as we possibly can.”

Paul revealed why the club was so keen to stage a tournament to support the Sefton Afghan Appeal. 

He said: “We wanted to do something to help a children’s charity. One of the children’s parents mentioned the Sefton Afghan Appeal, and we thought that was a great charity to support. 

“There have been families arriving from Afghanistan with just the clothes on their backs and nothing else. They need help and support. 

“It seemed like a good fit with what we are trying to do as a club. 

“We heard that the recent appeal for clothing had seen all eight donation points across Sefton now full and no longer accepting clothing donations. So we decided the best way to help the appeal was to raise money for them, so they can decide the best way to use the funds. 

“We are a community club. What better way than to do something to support a new community that is just arriving here?” 

• For more details about Southport Athletic Junior Football Club please visit: southportathletic.co.uk

• For more details about how you can support the Sefton Afghan Appeal please visit: sefton4good.org.uk

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