Muhammad Talha
The Inter City Bangla Cup at Chalk Hills Academy witnessed a footballing resurgence as Luton, previously languishing at the bottom of the table, stormed back into contention with a stunning triple win performance.
The day belonged to the Luton Legends, whose flowing football and fearless attitude dismantled three of the tournament’s top sides and reminded everyone there are no easy games in this campaign.
Their day began in emphatic fashion, handing out a 4-0 drubbing to London. The Miah’s – Shujel, Shuhal, Salam, and Todris shared the goals in a display of ruthless finishing that left the League leaders stunned.
Confidence soared from that point on.
Next came a controlled 2-0 victory, again powered by the tireless Shujel Miah, who bagged a clinical brace. With momentum fully on their side, Luton capped the perfect matchday by edging out high flying Birmingham 2-1, with Shuhal Miah, Salam Miah finding the net. Monjur Choudhury replied for Birmingham Legends.
Luton Manager Afjol Hussain praised his side’s turnaround: “These three wins speak volumes about the belief in this squad. We played free-flowing football, showed real heart, and most importantly, stuck together. The spirit and never say die attitude was phenomenal. Today, Luton showed what we’re made of.”
“It was important for us to come together off the pitch too,” said Luton player Abu Nasir, who hosted all the teams at the Luton Tapas Restaurant. He added, “This was a great way of saying thanks for the camaraderie this season – football is family.”
Elsewhere, Birmingham’s title hopes took a hit with a 1-0 loss to Kent, Sussex, Essex, courtesy of Jowel Miah’s lone strike.
Birmingham then dismantled London 4-1 with goals from Kamal Uddin (2), Hannan Ali, and Monjur Choudhury. London’s only reply came from captain Aktar Hussain.
The misery wasn’t over for the leaders as KSE rounded off the day with a 5-3 victory in a high-scoring encounter. Fifty six year-old veteran Tofojjul Islam rolled back the years with a hat trick, while Khaled Hoque and Jabed added to the tally. London’s scorers were Aktar Hussain, Saim Hussain, and Akbal Ahmed.
Despite the setbacks, London still lead the table with two rounds remaining but Luton’s charge has made the title race wide open once more at the top.
The Inner City Bangla Cup is more than just football and is a pioneering initiative bringing together veteran players, many in their late 40s and 50s, from across UK cities. The tournament is a celebration of culture, sport, and community – offering older players an opportunity to stay active, connect socially, and compete at a high level. The physical and mental health benefits are tangible, with participants rekindling their love for the game and inspiring the next generation.
As the Cup nears its climax, one thing is clear: the Inter City Bangla Cup is not just shaping league tables—it’s transforming lives.