Celebrating diversity with Hilltop United FC and NHS staff

Supported by Unison, the unique match is aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion for Cumbria's diaspora communities and also coincides with Black History Month.

Hilltop United FC boasts 35 active players, with the youngest member being just 18 years old. The team officially became affiliated with the Football Association (FA) back in September.

Chris Middleton, manager and volunteer at Carlisle's Refugee Action Group (CRAG), is looking forward to bringing communities together and getting his team, which is made up of 10 different nationalities, back on the pitch following their first official match against Border City Greens.

"Football is a wonderful language. And with being affiliated with the FA, the lads are so proud, proud to wear the kit, proud to play football, and proud to show their skills off.

"The group is playing football every single night and now they're getting matches, they are even more keen to get on the park," Chris said.

The international NHS football team they will be playing against is made up of more than 30 members of healthcare staff who have come to work for North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC).

International NHS football team in Cumbria (Image: NCIC)

The makeup of the team consists of staff from Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana and Kenya holding occupations such as doctors, physiotherapists, nurses, accountants, hygiene specialists, computer scientists and health care assistants within the county.

"It's good Hilltop United are playing the NHS team, they are positive role models in the community for them.

"The lads are always looking to aspire to stay in Carlisle, go to college and work, all the things we found find part of the process growing up, they want the same thing.

"Having to stay in a hotel with three people in one room must be quite soul destroying, we set this football team up to try and alleviate the mental health and give them a chance to be part of something positive," Chris said.