After being crowned the Manchester FA League and Cup champions, Oldham Veterans Football Club (OVFC) decided to pit their wits against the finest veteran teams from across the UK.

And they overcame teams from, Rochdale, Birmingham, Bedford, Bradford, Luton, London and Milton Keynes to be crowned UK champs.

OVFC got off to a flyer in the opening game of the group stages beating Bedford 5-0. OVFC’s lethal striker Shamim Uddin scored a hat trick.

OVFC’s second game was a tightly contested affair against one of the pre- tournament favourites, Birmingham FC.

OVFC weathered the storm and hit Birmingham on the break with Anu Miah, OVFC’s talisman netting the only goal of the game.

Their next game was against a very physical Bradford Jubodol FC. OVFC were awarded a penalty which was converted with aplomb by Anu Miah and again OVFC prevailed 1-0 which also included a penalty save by Abdul Basit (Berti) and another clean sheet for OVFC.

The boys within the camp started to believe that they could go all the way and bring the trophy back home!

OVFC went in to their final group game against the hosts, Coventry, knowing that a draw would take them through to the semis as runners-up.

Once again OVFC started like a house on fire going 1-0 up inside the first minute of the game. OVFC then literally put Coventry to the sword by picking them off at will.

The result was an emphatic 4-1 victory to OVFC which ensured they went into the semi-final against as group winners. The only negative was that Abdul Basit and his well marshalled defence conceded their first and only goal in the entire tournament.

In the semi-final OVFC faced Milton Keynes Durbar FC.

On paper a tantalising fixture as both teams with great pedigree locked horns. OVFC dominated the early proceedings by playing their usual composed possession football.

MK Durbar played more on the counter but could not breakdown OVFC’s resolute rear guard.

This game was settled with a piece of individual brilliance from the player of the tournament, Kobir Miah. Kobir ghosted past a couple of defenders and unleashed a ferocious shot with his left foot which gave the keeper no chance what so ever. OVFC marched on to the final with this 1-0 victory.

The final was contested between OVFC and MK Allstars. The game ended 0-0 which resulted in a penalty shootout. OVFC’s hero in the shootout was their keeper Abdul Basit whose saves meant OVFC triumphed 2-1 to claim the title, winners’ medals, trophy and £500 prize money, The OVFC squad included Shafiq, Berti, Shamim, Noor-Islam, Jewel, Afsor, Yousaf, Hamid, Kobir, Anu, Jhangir, Mohibur, Mofozul.