FOOTBALL EXCELLENCE

In the City of Bradford, England, a group of passionate individuals came together with a vision to create something special for the community. In 2013, they established Alpha United Juniors Football Club, a voluntary organisation dedicated to providing children with a safe space for football training and personal development.

What started as a modest 5-a-side venture quickly grew into something much bigger. The club’s qualified coaches worked tirelessly to nurture and improve the life skills of the young players, using football as a focal point. Alpha United Juniors FC began attracting more and more children, who eagerly joined the club and competed in grassroots matches against teams from other districts.

As the club’s reputation soared, so did its membership. The success of Alpha United Juniors FC caught the attention of other clubs and organisations across the country. Many tried to replicate the club’s achievements but fell short, unable to recreate the unique blend of coaching excellence and community engagement that set Alpha United Juniors FC apart.

The club’s dedication to making a positive impact in the community did not go unnoticed. Alpha United Juniors FC partnered with like-minded organisations, working together to implement initiatives that brought about positive change. Their remarkable efforts caught the attention of BBC Get Inspired, which featured the club in a special piece, highlighting their success and community work.

However, in 2016, Alpha United Juniors FC faced a significant setback. Some unscrupulous volunteers drained the club of its resources, driven by their own financial greed. Overnight, the club lost all its equipment, finances, and many of its young players. It was a devastating blow, but the resilient spirit of Alpha United Juniors FC refused to be crushed. The club rose from the ashes, determined to prevent such a situation from happening again and refocusing on placing the juniors’ well-being at the heart of everything they did.

Despite the setback, the club’s hard work paid off. Alpha United Juniors FC was awarded its first national honour, being crowned Club of the Year. The recognition was a tremendous achievement, considering the countless clubs across the country. The news spread like wildfire, and professional football clubs from around the world, including Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, and more, reached out to congratulate Alpha United Juniors FC on its success.

More success followed when the club received another national award, this time from the FA Respect team, acknowledging the incredible work carried out by the club’s dedicated volunteers. This recognition attracted the attention of Real Madrid, who not only congratulated Alpha United Juniors FC but also expressed a desire to collaborate and establish football camps with the club. The juniors were thrilled to have the opportunity to train with and be recognised by an international football powerhouse. The news spread far and wide, leading to further coverage by Match of the Day, BBC Get Inspired, radio stations, magazines, and social media platforms.

In 2019, Alpha United Juniors FC received its third national award, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which is an MBE usually reserved for charities. The club’s outstanding work in the community and dedication to its juniors caught the attention of the governing body, resulting in this prestigious accolade. As a special honour, the club was invited to Buckingham Palace to be recognised for its exceptional achievements.

On the field, the club continued to develop leading to winning cups and league titles. The success even earned the club a game at Bradford City stadium, Valley Parade, where the dedicated volunteers took to the field in a memorable match. Beyond the football pitch, Alpha United Juniors FC attracted significant news coverage for their extraordinary work. Renowned clubs like Borussia Dortmund hailed them as an example to follow in a tweet.

When the pandemic struck, Alpha United Juniors FC, like many other clubs, had to suspend training activities. However, they shifted their focus to supporting their members through the challenging times. Once they were able to resume their activities, the club once again became a prominent figure in the community, engaging in various projects to improve the lives of the juniors. The high-level coaching provided by Alpha United Juniors FC continued to attract scouts from professional clubs.

True to their ethos, the club invested back into the juniors, offering them a range of workshops, training sessions, matches, and free fun activities. This involved such activities as trampolining to gymnastics, laser tag, go-karting to paintballing, and even trips to Alton Towers and Flamingo Land, the club ensured that the juniors experienced well-rounded development and felt part of a team and a wider community. Alpha United Juniors FC distinguished itself by investing in the juniors’ well-being without seeking financial gain, unlike any other club.

In 2022, the club received its fourth national award, presented by broadcaster Seema Jaswal and legendary World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst. As part of the recognition, Alpha United Juniors FC was invited to attend the prestigious Community Shield match between Liverpool and Manchester City, cementing their status as one of the country’s top grassroots clubs.

Alongside their achievements on the field, Alpha United Juniors FC became a prominent activist in the football society, voicing their concerns about racism within the sport. The club fearlessly spoke out against the lack of investigation into racism and the presence of institutional racism in governing organisations. After the European Championship final, where black English players faced racist abuse, the club’s campaign gained significant traction. Sky, ITV, BBC, and major newspapers worldwide covered the club and its stories around institutional racism, shedding light on the ongoing struggle against racism in grassroots football. Prince William himself acknowledged Alpha United Juniors FC’s efforts, writing a letter of support and solidarity.

As the club continued to thrive on the field, with juniors displaying immense talent and development, Alpha United Juniors FC was awarded its fifth national honour in the summer of 2023. King Charles III named them Coronation Champions, bestowing upon them another royal recognition to commemorate this momentous occasion. As part of the recognition, the club was invited to the Coronation festivities and to collect their latest award.

As the years have passed, Alpha United Juniors FC has continued to grow and break barriers. The club’s acclaim spread not only throughout the country but internationally. Their success story served as an inspiration to countless individuals and organisations, demonstrating the transformative power of investing in the well-being of young people. Alpha United Juniors FC remained true to their mission, with the juniors at the heart of everything they accomplished, and their extraordinary journey continues to leave many in awe of what a voluntary organisation can achieve.