Just champion!

Oldham Veterans Football Club, following on from their recent success.

OLDHAM Veterans’ Football Club swept all before them to seal a dream success at the Coventry Masters national tournament.

Following their recent successes in the Manchester FA League and Cup competitions, OVFC decided to pit their wits against the finest veteran teams from across England.

The inaugural showpiece event featured talented teams from Rochdale, Birmingham, Bedford, Bradford, Luton, London and Milton Keynes.

Oldham got off to a flyer in the opening game of the group stages, beating Bedford 5-0 as lethal striker Shamim Uddin scored a superb hat-trick.

The local players went on to beat tournament favourites Birmingham 1-0 and Bradford Jubodol 1-0, before drawing 0-0 with Bradford BYO.

Oldham went into their final group game against Coventry knowing that a draw would take them through to the semi-final stage as runners-up. However, they secured an emphatic 4-1 victory to see themselves crowned group winners.

Milton Keynes Durbar FC were the opponents in the last four, and thanks to a lone predatory strike from player-of-the-tournament Kobir Miah, Oldham marched on to the final.

The MK Allstars were now the only team in Oldham’s way, but the local lads weren’t to be denied as goalkeeper Abdul Basit was the hero, saving a number of penalties in the shoot-out following a nail-biting goalless draw.

OVFC’s unprecedented success has come about because of the sheer determination from the entire squad.

The next chapter now is for OVFC to repeat their Manchester FA title and cup triumphs in the new season.