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Football was the winner on Sunday as the
inaugural Ashton Community Cup match ended with Greater Manchester
Police taking the spoils against the Ashton Youth Team in a dramatic 5-4
win.
The GMP team managed by Wigan Athletic Chairman Dave Whelan and the
Ashton team managed by Liverpool FC legend Dave Johnson played the game
in a great spirit; proving that sport can help encourage community
solidarity.
The match was played out in front of hundreds of fervent supporters in
sunny but windy conditions at Robin Park Arena, Wigan.
Winning boss Dave Whelan said: “The match was fantastic. I was delighted
to be involved, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Both sides played with
enthusiasm and lots of energy, but always with a great deal of
sportsmanship. I hope they take that sportsmanship back on the streets
of Ashton and Bryn.”
The match was organised by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, in
partnership with Greater Manchester Police and the Ashton and Bryn
Township Community Safety Group. The idea for the game was born during
the weekly multi-sports sessions delivered by the Trust’s Sport
Development Unit that have taken place in Ashton and Bryn since 2006.
The sessions formed part of a programme of diversionary sports
activities for young people aged eight and over, living in Ashton and
Bryn. The sessions, supported by Wigan Council, local councillors and
the police, have been successful in helping to tackle anti-social
behaviour in the area.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Community Sports Coach Andrea Pilling
said: “I would like to thank everybody involved in what was a great
occasion; both teams played the game with the right attitude and I’m
really proud of what was achieved. The game was a result of a lot of
hard work involving the Trust, local councillors and the police and we
hope this isn’t a one off and will prove to be the catalyst for greater
things to come.”
The Ashton Community Cup was free to watch. The match was preceded by a
7-a-side mini ‘Champions League’ tournament starting with teams from
Orrell, Ashton, Abram and Golborne and Lowton featuring 11 to 14 year
olds all participating.
For more information about the regular sports sessions that take place
at Ashton Leisure Centre and other areas of Wigan Borough contact the
Sports Development Unit on 01942 404982.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this press release please
contact Chris Dunbar, Media and Public Relations Manager, on 01942
486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org
Sponsors and Supporters: The Ashton Community Cup is supported by: The
Ashton and Bryn Township Community Safety Group, Ashton and Bryn Ward
Councillors Brighter Borough Fund, JJB Sports, Mad Jacks (Rosebury
Taverns), MYL Security, Cain’s Butchers, Pazzaz, CNK Off License, and
Century Auto Care.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust’s vision to help people across the Wigan Borough to become more
physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase
community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
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Teams join together for a post match
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