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Captains Alan Taylor (Zumla Daisyfield) and Yunus Patel (Centre Cue) shake hands before the before the final. In true cup final style both teams arrived in coaches, were kitted out in suits and got a full tour of Ewood Park before the match got under way.

Weird haircuts, tight shorts and big collars but a community spirit that spoke volumes.

A look back at the Northern Sunday League Cup Final played at Ewood Park between Zumla Daisyfield and Centre Cue FC words and pictures by Nazir Musa.

Nearly a quarter of a century ago and highly significant in the history of Asian Sport development in the UK was an Asian Cup Final at a local, professional stadium.

This venture was a new phenomenon at the time, much in line with the rapid progress made by the newly formed Northern Sunday League.

In fact, very few leagues could boast having any Cup Finals at stadiums, let alone by a predominantly low profile Asian League barely in its infancy.

This was largely thanks to the likes of Faruk Mangera, Ismail Esat, Salim Dalal and Ikbal Makda.

The JJB Trophy Cup competition was no Sunday League kick about.

All concerned took matters very seriously indeed and lived for the weekly matches.

Teams to fall by the wayside included Dynamoes led by Yunus Mangera, Kokni's managed by Shokati Balamia, John's Cut Price under Siraz Chopdat, Preston's Bharuch Bazaar led by Ismail Dalal and Lower Audley FC Managed by Tahir Hussain.

This Final saw the meetings of two very contrasting teams. It saw the then cup specialists Daisyfield FC, guided and managed by the shrewd Ismail Badat and assistant Ismail Khalifa.

Their conventional 'Wimbledon' style of play had a solid midfield trio, comprising of the (Late) Ebrahim Emam, Derek Eastham, Joe Moore feeding a striking partnership of Salim Sidat and Haji Ahmed.

They were held together by defence commanded by Ilyas 'Latchi' Mohammed and Yunus 'Hitler' (Yes that was his name) Patel. It saw Daisyfield achieve a hat-trick of Cup Final appearances that year.

Their opponents Centre Cue were a more 'on the ground' footballing side.

I recall attending many of their training sessions and believing to this day that their Manager Mohammed Akoo must have been a former cotton slave driver in a past life reflected in how he put his players through their paces during the regular Thursday evening training sessions at the YMCA.

This was an event that was not only breaking new ground with expectations but an anticipation involving not only the players but a whole community.

There were many sponsors with advertising interests particular in the match day programme.

Firms such as Zumla's Chemists, JJB Trophy's, Nazir Printers, Hamayoon Café, John's Cut Price, Galavision, Centre Cue and Bharuch Bazaar.

Wives who were left to wash, clean, care solely, for their families and for that weekend do without their husbands who spent most of that week on footballing duties.

I can now safely reveal that those duties were doing what men do best in their own company. Socialising, smoking, eating, playing football and generally partying.

The atmosphere in both camps was electric and even though there was the odd spying mission, the frivolity and respect for both camps from players and management was of the highest order.

Come the day and as I recall, as the official League's Press Officer, the format of events was in true Cup Final tradition - morning buffet and drinks reception with Daisyfield gathering at The Cob Wall Workings Men Club,all duly attired in ties and suits.

Team Coaches transferred the players and families to Ewood Park, home of Blackburn Rovers around 1pm to be met by a fairly partisan crowd.

It matters little as to the eventual scoreline, Centre Cue winning the trophy 1-0 thanks to a Kader Ahmed second half strike against the run of play.

What remains important is that we were there and as part of a fairly technology free era, we lived for the day and created our joys through a community Football League.

This and subsequent finals will live with us for many, many more years. Great memories shared by all.

As I stumbled across some of these pictures whilst rummaging through my shed during the mid-term school holidays, what they conjured up for me was a sense of pride and satisfaction that I was actually part of something special.

These were memories of an era when we belonged. In an era where Asians wanting to break through into the professional Leagues created their own dreams.

Very much in the true Asian ethic to roll up your sleeves and do it yourself instead of waiting for the big clubs to come and get you.

(Northern Sunday League Cup Final Sunday April 28 1985 Ewood Park Zumla Daisyfield vs Centre Cue FC).

1:28pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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