Total Football

Emdad Rahman meets Mamun Choudhury MBE

Asians may yet be looking to make the full breakthrough in football, but there are signs that things are about to change.

One of the many factors affecting Asians from making the grade to the higher echelons of football has been the lack of commitment at grassroots level. Many Asians still view football as very much a pastime, and many families, including promising youngsters have found it difficult juggling their academic commitments with their footballing aspirations.

The general attitude in the past has been one of, “studies come first,” and if a budding youngster makes the footballing cut, then and only then can a change of career be considered, albeit with much trepidation.

“Attitudes are changing,” said Mamun Choudhury, the newly appointed manager of Sporting Bengal United.

“More and more young people are taking a professional and long term interest in football and we have a lot of talented and dedicated coaches at grassroots level.

“Parents are more relaxed about their children participating in football, after all it’s an outlet that keeps many off the mean streets and away from the crime that is rife on our streets.

“With blossoming interest and FA backed grassroots schemes, it’s only a matter of time before we have another Michael Chopra, Zesh Rahman, Anwar Uddin and Adnan Ahmed playing consistently in the greatest league in the world.”

Lifelong community worker Mamun was awarded the MBE in honour of his dedication to Asian grassroots football in the Queens new years honours list.

At the age of 16 Mamun co founded football team. Thus commenced his long running love affair with Beaumont FC, starting with a role as the secretary of the club. Working with legendary Stepney Green teacher Colin (Astrojim) Reeves, the eager and quick witted teenager worked his way swiftly through the ranks to become the manager of this community team, becoming the youngest Bangladeshi football manager in Tower Hamlets, and one of the youngest in the country.

An FA qualified coach, Mamun also took on additional roles within the club to steer it towards more success. In 2001 he steered his beloved Beaumont to gain intermediate football status, and in 2006 helping to acquire the charter standard mark and senior club status, allowing the club to play at senior level football and the FA cup.

As manager Mamum led Beaumont FC to numerous league titles, competitions both home and abroad and various cups. His most notable success was the UK Bangladeshi championship in 2005.

In March 2009 Mamun was appointed manager of Kent senior league team
Sporting Bengal United, the senior club in the borough of Tower Hamlets. Footballing blogs were rife with speculation with what this new appointment would mean for Sporting’s fortunes. The majority of comments from rivals in the senior league pointed to Mamun’s top draw footballng pedigree and that coupled with his managing ability and experience would most .

Sporting Bengal Chairman Suroth Miah is optimistic about Mamun’s appointment; “We appointed what we strongly felt was the best manager available”, said Suroth.

“Mamun is a young manager with bags of experience.

“He possesses thorough local knowledge, and great interaction with players. This will allow him to bring the best local footballers together

“Having provided Mamun with the platform that best befits his standing in the game, we will equip Mamun with able backup and valuable support extended to all Sporting managers.

“Mamun has taken over for the last 4 games of the season, and there have been many positive signs. We are quietly optimistic about next season,” he added.

Mamun will combine his new role as head coach at Sporting Bengal United with managing the Beaumont first team. This is a mammoth task in any capacity but Mamun is optimistic; “I will be relying on a strong support network,” he said.

“I have faith in my ability and combined with experience gained through working alongside many football stalwarts, I hope to carry out both roles to the best of my ability.”

Asked as to what ingredients are vital in a footballing prodigy, Mamun blinks before reeling off a list; “dedication is foremost – the single key ingredient. You can have the greatest talent in the world, but if you’re not tuned in then you can find yourself very quickly on the scrapheap.

“Grassroots football is ruthless, and you don’t get many chances to make a mark on coaches and scouts. The wrong attitude can be very costly.”

“Ability, fitness, and flexibility are important too. At the end of the day, if you’re good enough you’ll rise to the top – it’s that simple.”

Mamun’s remarkable work as a volunteer continues outside his club duties. From 2001, he is the only individual to have carried out years of volunteer services with all the major volunteer organisations in the borough.

Mamun's work has not gone unnoticed and he has received many awards for
his hard work. In 2001 he was presented with a volunteer award by the Stepney Voice newspaper, and in 2005 he won the Jack Petchey leaders award. Similarly, in 2006 Mamun was awarded the Canary Wharf volunteer award.

“I’ve been very lucky to have had a lot of support from family, friends and colleagues,” added Mamun. “The icing on the cake has been the MBE. I may have received it as an individual, but this is testament to the wonderful people who supported me all the way.”