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Mosque gives out refreshments at club celebration

Kate Bradbrookin Luton
News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC A queue of football fans waits in front of a table filled with cans and bottles of drink, a big box of biscuits, with a man dressed in black giving them out. There are terraced houses in the background.Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Home and away supporters were handed refreshments at Luton Town's anniversary weekend

Members of a mosque that stands next to a football stadium have been giving out refreshments as part of the club's 120th anniversary celebrations.

The event took place at Luton Town football club with worshippers from the neighbouring Madinah Masjid mosque, alongside residents of Bury Park district, handing out more than 1,000 drinks, chocolates and biscuits.

Both Hatters fans and Plymouth's away supporters enjoyed the occasion.

"Football is the ultimate equaliser," said Abdul Ghafoor, secretary at Luton Council of Mosques.

News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC Abdul Ghafoor wears an orange Luton Town T-shirt and a black jacket. He has black short hair and a grey beard and is also wearing glasses. He is standing in front of football fans and the stadium, with a sign that says 'Welcome to Kenilworth...'.Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Abdul Ghafoor said he had always lived close to the club and it had offered a constant welcome

"It brings us together - it doesn't matter what background you're from, what language you speak, the sport is something that brings everyone together," Mr Ghafoor added.

"As communities in Britain, and everywhere around the world, it's the same message for the community: we're all stronger together.

The Hatters fan went on to add: "This is just to remind people, the club has always been at the heart of Luton and, ultimately, we recognise how inclusive the club is - this is just a bit of giving back."

News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC People man the refreshment stand with football fans behind them.Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Fundraising was also carried out by the mosque's worshippers during the game

Although the League One team lost 2-3 against Plymouth Argyle, the day offered a chance to echo the past as Plymouth also played the first game against Luton on 4 September 1905.

As part of the celebrations, children from the mosque were given the chance to read out the team sheets to members of the press.

Worshippers continued their fundraising efforts at the game.

By Friday, the mosque had already raised £1,000 for the club's 2025 designated charity Stepping Stones, which helps local women and children.

News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC Alex Teunion has light brown hair and is wearing an orange T-shirt and black puffa jacket. He is smiling at the camera and has a pair of headphones around his neck.Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Hatters supporter Alex Teunion described the offer of refreshments as "amazing"

Home fans described how much they appreciated the warm welcome.

"Luton is a community club," said supporter Alex Teunion.

"We've always been a very ethnically diverse town and club.

"With everything going on at the moment, it's just really important that we come together and do what we can for each other as that's how we make our towns and communities better."

News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC Rosie Moore has reddish short hair, and is wearing earrings, a black coat with a hot p9ink lined hood and an orange, white and black Luton Town scarf and her son has black hair, a moustache and is wearing a black hoodie and Luton Town scarf too.Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Rosie Moore, pictured with her son Steve Moore, said she appreciated the gesture from the mosque on the club's anniversary

The gesture was also appreciated as a way to mark the club's anniversary.

Rosie Moore, who has been a Luton Town supporter for 60 years, said: "It's nice to show they're behind the team and the fans."

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