A team of football loving asylum seekers based in Carlisle finished third in a five-a-side tournament held in Middlesbrough.
They call themselves Hilltop United FC and they fielded two teams – United and City – in the competition which had 20 different nationalities represented.
Justice First ran the tournament and the Hilltop Utd side is supported by Carlisle Refugee Action Group’s Chris Middleton, who also acts as the team manager.
They participate in regular football training sessions and matches.
The club has received support from Cumberland FA in helping establish Hilltop United as a registered club, with the FA and Cumberland FA’s equality, diversity and inclusion director, Nigel Davidson, in attendance at the tournament.
Nigel said: “Hilltop City played amazingly well with three great wins in the group stage and were unlucky to go out at the quarter final stage.
“Hilltop United made it through to the semi-final stage after four wins in the group and a quarter final win, before narrowly losing the semi-final.
“However they won the third/fourth play-off game versus Darlington and came home with a bronze medal for their efforts.
“Special thanks go to Carlisle Matters, the British Red Cross, Tiffany, Tresor and Catherine and also to Justice First for organising the tournament. I think that they’re already looking forward to next year’s competition.”
