BLACKBURN United have been nominated for a prestigious national award just three years after forming.

The club has been nominated for the Central Council Physical Recreation's Club of the Year award for the outstanding work they have done in the Asian community.

And ,if they win the coveted title, they are in line to win £10,000 with £4,000 going to the runner-up.

The club has been nominated by PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor who has worked closely with the club since it was formed.

Results are expected to be released later this week.

Salim Sidat, Blackburn United's director of football, said he is honoured that the club has been put forward for the award.

He said: "It would be great if we won this award but even if we don't it underlines how far we have come in such a short space of time.

"We are very grateful to Mr Taylor for all the work he has done with club and are pleased that he feels we have done enough to be nominated."

He added: "The money would be fantastic because we have a lot of plans for this club.

"We are pleased with what we have done so far but we have to look at the examples set by clubs like Langho and Waterfoot to see what can really be achieved."

Since Blackburn United was formed in 1996, the club has forged links with local businesses and other sporting organisations. And the club can boast four junior teams and a senior team as well as their very own club minibus.

However the club has set is sights on becoming a true focal point for the Asian community - and that can only be done by building its own club house and football pitches.

Mr Sidat added: "That has got to be our ultimate aim.

"We are in the process of looking for our own football pitch then we will be looking to obtain Lottery funding to improve it and then build a clubhouse.

"If that dream came true then we could provide an even better service for young Asian sportsmen and women and winning this award would make our plans even more possible."

Presently the club is looking to expand it's junior teams but needs more team managers.

Mr Sidat said: "We have funding available so that football managers can take their FA coaching certificate. We just need the managers to come forward."

Anyone interested should contact Salim Sidat on 0973 657542 or club chairman Iqbal Ibrahim on 0797 0216334.

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