Birmingham County FA is delighted to announce the launch of a brand-new five-a-side football league – the first of many – that enables individuals that work in job across unsociable hours to play football regularly.

The Birmingham County FA Restaurant League is to get underway off the back of a hugely successful one-day competition, which saw teams representing some of the West Midlands’ many restaurants, take-away outlets and eating establishments come together to compete on the football pitch.

In the latest initiative launched by Birmingham County FA to enhance football opportunities across the West Midlands region, it is intended that the Restaurant League will enable those unable to play on evenings or at weekends with the chance to do so, in a competitive but friendly environment against some of their industry peers.

Hosted at Pulse Soccer Centre in Wednesbury in early September, the initial one day 5-a-side competition saw a total of 15 teams representing eating establishments take part:

Blue Ginger
Mumbai Spice
E1
Picantes
Garam Masala
Spice Fusion
Spice of Hednesford
Raj Balti
Kudos 
Flute
Rajshahi
Panshi
Fit Food Meal Prep
Alok
Mr Prep.

It was the team from Blackheath’s Mumbai Spice that emerged winners on the day, narrowly beating Blue Ginger from Cannock 2-1 in an exhilarating final.

Following such a successful event, Birmingham County FA moved quickly to establish a brand-new regular league for these – and any other teams – that wish to get involved.

League fixtures are to commence at Pulse Soccer Centre on September 22, with games thereafter played on a monthly basis between 12.00pm and 2.00pm.

Thereafter, fixtures will be played on:

• 20 October
• 17 November
• 15 December
• 12 January
• 9 February

Mizan Rahman, Football Development Officer at Birmingham County FA, said: “Football is a game for all – and we’re passionate about ensuring that people who love the game get an opportunity to play.

“The one-day 5-a-side tournament was so successful; it shows the appetite to play football amongst those that work within the many food establishments we’re lucky to have in the West Midlands.

“We believe that this is the first of many leagues catering for those that work in jobs with traditionally unsociable hours, with a league for taxi drivers our next objective in early 2020.”

Teams in the local catchment area of Wednesbury are now invited to apply for entry to the Birmingham County FA Restaurant League. To register interest, please email Mizan via mizan.rahman@birminghamfa.com