Hilltop United FC, a team composed of men seeking asylum and refuge in and around Carlisle, have launched the appeal for spare football kit including football boots, sized between adults eight to 12,  and shin pads. 

The appeal comes a month after the side, which was previously recognised as the UK’s first official asylum seeker team after becoming affiliated with the Football Association (FA), made its debut in the Cumberland FA’s social inclusion and wellbeing league in December.

As part of the appeal, the team is asking for donations of equipment, with coach Chris Middleton keen to highlight to willingness to collect donated items from local clubs.

Writing on social media, coach Chris Middleton said: “Due to the team being funded by grants and odd fundraising the money goes very quickly on essential bits of equipment for the team and so at the moment we are still very short on some football boots and football trainers, shin pads and sports clothing.

“We train every Friday from 10am to 12pm at St John’s Church Hall in Carlisle and now compete in the Cumberland FA’s new social wellbeing inclusion league, playing matches every two or three weeks across Cumbria.

“If anyone can help and donate some bits please let me know as I’m happy to collect.

“Our aim is to get as many Refugees playing football as possible.”

Hilltop United is currently made up of a mixture of nationalities and emerged victorious after its debut in the Cumberland FA’s new recreational league which features sides such as a team made up of international NHS staff in Cumbria. 

In their debut match, the squad took on Whitehaven’s Tubby FC, edging the West Cumbrian side in 3-2 in a tight match