London Lead the Pack As ICBC Takes Ramadan Break
Muhammad Talha Alexander Stadium, Birmingham
As the Inter City Bangla Cup reached its midway point at the prestigious Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, the competition remains as fierce as ever. With teams from London, Birmingham, Kent, Sussex, Essex, and Luton battling for top honours, the tournament has lived up to its reputation as a showcase of talent, community, and passion for veterans’ football.
London have asserted themselves as the team to beat, sitting comfortably at the top of the table with a string of commanding performances. A well organised squad and clinical finishing have given the team the edge over their challengers, with key victories over Birmingham, Luton and Kent, Sussex, Essex solidifying their place at the summit.
Despite the absence of full back Helal Uddin, the tournaments top scorer, London were the standout team in the Inter City Bangla Cup once again, delivering dominant performances against Birmingham, Luton, Kent, Sussex, and Essex at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.
With a lethal attack and a commanding midfield, London stamped their authority on the competition, securing key victories to stay at the top of the table.
From the very first whistle against Kent, Sussex, Essex, London set the tone with high energy pressing conducted by Sana Miah with the assistance of wingers Saim Hussain and captain Aktar Hussain, with the opening game finishing in a stalemate.
Debutant Masud Miah was the difference with a quickfire brace against Luton in a 2-0 win. Sherif Ahmed and Mofojul Ali were crucial in securing the result as Saiful Islam pulled off two close range saves to deny Luton gaining what would have been a well deserved point.
Sturdy performances from the back line of Raqeeb Shamim, Kamruz Zaman, Mamun Uddin and Bodrul Zaman, were mainstays as second debutant Anamul Hoque orchestrated a 2-0 win in the final game against Birmingham. Masud Miah sealed the win with two late clinical finishes.
The London frontline have been in red hot form throughout the campaign, finding the back of the net with precision and consistency, while the midfielders have provided creativity, control, and goals of their own.
Meanwhile, Birmingham and Kent, Sussex and Essex remain within striking distance, eager to close the gap when the tournament resumes after the Ramadan break. Birmingham have shown flashes of brilliance, while Luton, though struggling for consistency, remain determined to turn their fortunes.
London Captain Aktar Hussain commented, “It’s a great feeling to be leading at the midway stage, but we know there’s still a long way to go. Every team in this tournament is strong, and we’ll need to keep our focus after Ramadan to maintain our momentum.”
Monjur Choudhury from Birmingham added, “The tournament has been a fantastic celebration of veterans’ football. It’s been competitive but also full of camaraderie and respect. The Ramadan break is a good chance for the players to recharge before we push for a strong finish.”
London midfielder Sana Miah spoke about the impact of the Inter City Bangla Cup, “This competition is about more than just football. It’s about fitness, longevity, and keeping our love for the game alive. The Ramadan break allows us to reflect, refocus, and come back stronger.”
Beyond the results, the ICBC continues to make a significant impact in the footballing community. The tournament has become a hub for veteran footballers, encouraging physical activity, mental wellbeing, and social engagement among older players. By promoting healthy living and increasing longevity, the ICBC is proving that football has no age limit.
Team London Squad:
Md Raqeeb Shamim – Saiful Islam – Mamun Uddin – Sherif Ahmed – Saim Hussain – Kamruz Zaman – Sana Miah – Anamul Hoque – Masud Miah – Bodrul Zaman – Saad Miah – Mofojul Ali – Aktar Hussain (captain) Head Coach: Emdad Rahman