REUBEN HAZELL says playing landmark games like the one against England C can only be a positive for the Asian community.
Hazell’s Panjab FA gave Non-League‘s Three Lions a huge scare last Sunday at Solihull Moors‘ Damson Park, eventually going down 2-1.
The fixture, which was the first first to pit a South Asian ‘national’ team against an England side, was highly entertaining and a huge success in promoting inclusion and diversity.
Hazell’s side represent the Panjabi community worldwide but are made up of mostly players from Steps 3 and below of the Non-League Pyramid with Albion Sports defender Aaron Basi and Rushall Olympic forward Gurjit Singh particularly impressive.
Former Tranmere, Torquay, Chesterfield, Oldham and Shrewsbury defender Hazell, who also assists friend Darren Byfield at Redditch United, reckons high-profile games similar to last Sunday can help put an end to any stigma attached to Asian participation in football.
Barriers
He told The NLP: “My lads have had a lot of doubters and a lot of people underestimating them but they showed what quality they have.
“There were probably a few scouts there looking at the England lads but there’s no doubt they would have been impressed by some of the Panjab players. We’ve got some playing at Step 5 and 6 and they should be much higher than that.
“A few could go on and play in the National League. I’d love to see somebody do that, break down some barriers and create some role models for young Asian boys that want to play football.
“When I was growing up, black people broke down the barriers thanks to the likes of Brendon Batson, Bob Hazell and Cyrille Regis.
Reuben Hazell, left, during his playing days at Oldham
“That allowed young black players like myself to come through the system and hopefully we can do the same for Asian lads.”
Despite loving his time in charge of the Panjab side so far, Hazell harbours no desire to move into Non-League management.
“I enjoy coaching kids more than adults,” he added. “You never say never but I see how much Darren does at Redditch and it’s put me off!”
