Police team dishes out some Clinical finishing

By Patrick Hill

Last updated 11:36, Monday, 12 May 2008

CARLISLE police and police community support officers (PCSOs) challenged a team from the city’s Carleton Clinic to a game of football – and won 12-1.

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Good sports: The Carleton Clinic teamOccupational Therapy and Assertive Outreach football team. (Back left to right) Nigel Thompson, Martin Ritchie, Lee Phillipson, Craig Ross, Shane Wardman, Neil Richardson, Daren Hamilton, Duncan Johnson, Steve Metcalfe, Nick Sands, Chris Carrick, Warren Thompson. (Front left to right Ruden Hares, Steven Murray, Nigel Downie, Peter Hill, Graham Ditchburn and Colin Gustafson: 9 May 2008STUART WALKER

The 90-minute 11-a-side game, played at Gillford Park on Friday, was part of the police’s ongoing Respect campaign, which aims to address problems including antisocial behaviour.

The police team have vowed to make it an annual event.

Carlisle PCSO Angela Busby organised the match and scored the police’s second goal.

She said: “It was absolutely brilliant.

“The police only normally go up to the Clinic when there is a problem, so it’s nice for them to see us without our uniforms in a different environment.

“It gives them a chance to see us in a different light and to see that we’re all just normal people trying to do a job.

“It wasn’t all about winning for me, everyone was really pleased and it was a great atmosphere.

“Maybe now next time they have to deal with a police officer they might react in a different way.

“They all want a rematch so they can get revenge. Hopefully we can make it an annual event. It was really worthwhile.”

Angela thanked Warren Thompson, who helped organise the event, referee John Mulligan and all the players for taking part in the match.