Tottenham academy coach Taff Rahman and Camden Elite FC founder Sebastian Eurico, who donated some of his shirts to the Kit and Book Share Project, show off just some of the donations received

Published: 26 November, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

A TEAM of young footballers from across Camden and Islington have played their best pass of the season by supporting their coach with his goal of donating kits and books to youngsters in his home village. 

Just Play FC founder Taff Rahman asked all his players to bring in items that he could take back to Bangladesh with him over Christmas and donate to children. So far the Kit and Book Share Project has proved a huge success with Taff having already shipped out over 50 kilos of stuff, with a further 70 kilos boxed and set to go. 

“Personally I’ve always taken stuff back home with me when I go. Whatever my luggage limit would allow,” said Taff. “I decided I wanted to try it on a bigger scale, so I asked all the players from my club, friends and family to donate what they could. The response has been overwhelming. 

“I’ve been given loads of kits, footballs, training gear, boots and books, which will all be given a new home. It’s all stuff that, by sharing, will be given a new lease of life.” 

Ash Rahman celebrates with Raju Ahmed, 11, Umor Ahmed, 10, and Rajan Ahmed, 12, after hosting a successful football tournament in Bangladesh

Among those who were queueing up to make donations was Just Play FC volunteer Theo Maddison, 15, who handed over the first Arsenal shirt he was given, while stars of the game like former England Women’s manager Hope Powell have also contributed. 

Taff, who is an academy coach at Tottenham, and has also coached at Arsenal, said the team effort it’s taken to make the project a success was inspirational, and urged others to follow suit. 

“This project goes beyond Just Play FC and what we do as a club. It’s a team effort that I would encourage anyone and everyone to consider trying because there’s nothing better then uniting people in a drive to give something back,” he said. 

“It’s not about poverty, it’s about creating opportunity. It’s simply all about sharing, and giving new life to things that would otherwise be wasted or thrown away.” 

Taff’s donation drive coincidently comes just weeks after members of the Camden and Regent’s Park Youth League sent boxes of T-shirts, kits, footballs and training equipment to Bangladesh.

League co-founder Ash Rahman, who personally delivered the donations, said it was the start of things to come. 

“It’s important for the league to give things back to the community, and to the children all over the world who share a love of football,” he said. 

“It was an amazing experience to host a series of tournaments and training sessions in Bangladesh. All the children had a great time. 

“The league will definitely be looking to do more of the same in 2016 as part of lasting legacy. 

“There are already plans to get involved in a trip to Brazil next year.”  

• Visit www.justplayfc.co.uk to find out more about the Kit and Book Share Project.