FOTBALL: England’s Non-League Team will hope to build on the recent achievements of Andrew Strauss’ cricketing counterparts on Tuesday 6 September when they face India at football for the first time ever as the Three Lions take on the touring Indian Under 23s at Dagenham & Redbridge FC, kick-off 7:30pm.

Managed by Paul Fairclough, England ‘C’ have a decent pedigree on the world stage having finished runners-up at both the 2009 and 2011 International Challenge Trophy tournaments.

On each occasion England were beaten 1-0, with Belgium proving victorious in 2009 and Portugal edging out Fairclough’s squad in Northampton earlier this year.

He said: “England vs India is massive in world cricket so it will be a fantastic honour to play them at football for the very first time at any level. English football and the Premier League is very popular in that part of the world so hopefully this game will attract the attention of the Asian press back in cities like Kolkata and New Delhi. Dagenham & Redbridge is a very diverse area so I’m hoping that the local community will support this historical game.”

The match will be sandwiched between two India vs Pakistan fixtures in the UK next month - the first seeing the sub-continent giants facing-off at Derby County FC on 3rd September before moving to Glasgow for a second game on the 9th. The tour will begin with a lively debate on increasing Asian participation at the Birmingham International Futsal Arena on 29th August in the company of the FA Cup, followed by an exhibition match between the two teams.

Jonathan Mills, The Football Association’s Equality Coordinator added: “The Football Association is really pleased to support the launch of this India vs Pakistan tour and the forthcoming exhibition match which will not only fire the imagination of aspiring Asian footballers across the Country but give them a sense of national pride as well.”

Essex County FA Senior Football Development Officer (Inclusion), John Manning, was also proud to have a fixture of this magnitude on the County’s doorstep: “It’s always a prestigious time when we get to stage international football in Essex and I’m sure Dagenham & Redbridge FC are equally thrilled. It also presents us with a focal point to raise awareness of the opportunities available for Asian footballers to participate locally.”

The FA operate 16 national teams, from the Seniors, through the age groups down to the Under 16s as well as Futsal, disability, women’s, girls’ and non-league sides. Follow their progress at www.thefa.com. You can also find further information on why football welcomes all participants regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or sexuality in the ‘Development’ section of the Essex County FA website at www.essexfa.com.