AFC Preston makes history after securing league title win

AFC Preston have celebrated winning the Lancashire Sunday League Premier division title for the first time.

They were attempting to make history and become the first Asian club to achieve the feat.

A number of clubs with predominantly Asian players from Preston have set out to win the league title during the past two decades. Canaries came closest but slipped up twice as the season drew to a close.

AFC Preston did not make that mistake and were unbeaten going into March having won their first ten games. They finished 16 points ahead of their closest rivals Bamber Bridge and lost only one game all season.

The achievement was all more the more remarkable as the team was playing in the lower leagues a number of years ago. The Lancashire Sunday League is made up of five senior divisions and remains the toughest Lancashire amateur league to win.

The AFC Preston side was made up of a mix of younger and more experienced players from all backgrounds and cultures.

On their way to the championship, they scored 77 goals during the season and conceded only 23 goals, which was the meanest defence in the division.

Saad Abouzaid topped the scoring charts with 21 goals and both Riccardo Egidi (14) and Aamir Toorawa (11), chipping in with crucial goals.

As the team were handed the cup the side displayed t-shirts to remember Blackburn footballer Junaid Dalal who sadly died of cancer earlier this year.

One of the most talented amateur footballers his generation, Junaid had played for a number of amateur league sides in the North West.

He was a regular in the Blackburn Combination League, most notably for EG and also turned out in the Blackburn Sunday League. He also won numerous player awards in 7-a-side and 5-a-side tournaments.

At the club’s presentation night, Riccardo and Saad were both named joint players of the season.

Yasin and Adnaan were named young players of the year whilst the fans player off the season award went to Aamir. The club man of the year award went to Robbie Morris.

The side was inspired by a backroom team and supporters dubbed #rogersarmy.

Speaking of the win, manager Naeem Patel known as Roger said: “We are delighted to have won the league and we won it in style. The aim of this season was to challenge and improve on the previous season’s mid-table finish.

We had some new signings and we moved a few players around into different positions and everything just clicked. A huge thank you to all the players and the supporters who have put in a monumental effort in a very competitive local league.”