Friendship forged on football pitch

Jan 3 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

AT face value, Consett in County Durham has little in common with Hungary, Peru and Liberia.

But friendships forged over the years have led to a unique international football tournament being planned for September that aims to boost Consett’s reputation on the world stage.

A resident of the town, Ged Naughton, a part-time worker for the Catholic charity Cafod, has had strong links with Liberia, on the west coast of Africa and plagued by civil wars, since his former teacher at St Bede’s RC Comprehensive in nearby Lanchester fired his imagination almost 30 years ago.

Links with Peru and Hungary have also been strengthened over the years.

Mr Naughton, 40, said: “I visited Liberia after finishing university in the early 90s, because my former teacher, Father Joe Brown, had strong links with the country and my old school did a lot of fund-raising for Liberians.

“When I was over there I formed some close friendships which has led to a Liberian under-16 team playing in the tournament next year.” As well as playing in the mini-round-robin tournament, the visiting teams will also meet local people, visit local schools and spend time getting to know their hosts and their town.

Mr Naughton added: “Anyone who comes from Consett knows what a great spirit there is here, but it hasn’t always had the best image outside the town.

“We’re aiming to build strong links between Consett and the outside world by inviting people to come here and see what we’re proud of, and a football tournament is a great way to do that because it’s an event which brings people together.”

Consett the World includes representatives from various Consett schools, churches and community groups.

Consett YMCA already has links with the Hungarian team from Jászberény, and has organised exchanges with them for several years. The Liberian team will be coached by members of the Millennium Stars football team, which visited the area as part of a national tour in 1999, thanks to Mr Naughton’s links with Liberia.

Juventud Bellavista from Peru is based in the same town as Father Joe Plumb, the former curate of Blackhill St Mary’s at Consett.

Fr Joe, 36, from Pity Me, Durham, has been ministering for seven years in a parish the size of Wales. He travels to meet his flock in a 14ft boat bought with funds raised by the pupils of St Bede’s School in Lanchester.

Through contacts among the Catholic clergy in the North, Fr Joe managed to meet Peruvian and former Newcastle United star Nolberto Solano who donated a set of strips for his parish team, which will be on display in the Consett tournament.

Consett YMCA Juniors will represent England.