ROCHDALE based Sports For All raised much-needed funds to help Palestinians following recent air strikes in Gaza.

A successful charity five-a-side football tournament was held at Soccer Village in Milnrow over the weekend raising £500.

Sixteen teams took part and all three indoor football courts were used due to high number of teams that had entered.

From the early group matches, holders Sona FC from Oldham and Sparth FC from Rochdale looked clear favourites to win.

Both teams won their respected groups- averaging five goals per match.

The surprise team from the group stages were Wardelworth Allstars. At an average age of only 17, they were the youngest team in the competition, quickly winning friends with their skilful play. Wardleworth won their group comfortably defeating 2007 runners up, Real Deeplish in the process.

In the quarter final, Wardleworth Allstars and 2007 tournament winners Sona FC played the match of the tournament. Sona FC took the early initiative racing to a two-goal lead. Wardleworth showed courage to level the match at 2-2. With a minute to go, as Wardleworth pressed for a late winner, Sona FC well worked break, saw them snatch a late winner.

Wardleworth Allstars were applauded off the pitch for their outstanding sportsmanship and fair play towards other teams at the final whistle. Special recognition for fair play, will be made to Wardleworth Allstars at the Annual Sports For All awards evening in January 2009, for their conduct both on and off the pitch.

Sona FC and Sparth comfortably progressed to the final, which saw Sparth FC dominate the possession. Two early goals eased them to victory to become the 2008 Soccer Aid tournament champions.

Said fundraising manager for Sports For All, Nawaz Moin: "We read reports about the bleak humanitarian and economic situation facing Palestinians from an independent group who recently visited the area. We followed our interest up with an informative meeting with both Cllr Ibrar Khan and Rochdale’s Labour Parliamentary candidate Mr Simon Danczuk who were in Palestine only a few weeks ago.

"We heard their account of the suffering of innocent people in Palestine. Indeed, given the recent human tragedies over the weekend, with hundreds killed in the Gaza region, we decided to donate the funds to help those in need of food, water, clothing, medical aid and shelter."

Mr Moin added "I want to in particular thank Mr Azmat Khan of Rochdale Football Club Community Officer, Simon Danczuk and Councillor Mohammed Sharif, the portfolio holder for Community Cohesion for giving up their time, at short notice to help support this successful event. The business sponsors, Haji Cash & Carry and Vision Twenty-One, also played an important role, as did the ever-enthusiastic Sports For All volunteers."