(The Non-League Paper, 21 July 2002)

Asian aces aim to be role models for their race

by Stuart Hammonds

As the only Asian club playing at Level 4 of the Non-League Pyramid, GAD Khalsa Sports FC are something of a phenomenon in English football. Named after the fifth Guru (God) in the Sikh religion (Guru Arjan Dev), the club based at Derbys Sikh Temple were accepted into the Central Midlands League Premier Division for the start of last season, after spending 11 formative years playing at local league level on a Saturday and Sunday.

The ground-breaking step up the ladder is something that manager-secretary Karnjit Singh Khatkar worked tirelessly for since joining the club in 1995, and it is one he hopes will open the floodgates for talented Asian footballers and clubs to do well in future years.

"It was a massive step up into the Central Midlands League for the players," admits Karnjit, 27. "But I had done a lot of research prior to the club entering the league, seeing what the league was about, how long the clubs have survived, what the financial aspect of it was.

"We had to make sure we had the resources and sponsors that we needed. I did all this groundwork before we even applied to the league because you cant try to run before you can walk."

On the pitch, things didnt start off too well for the group of players who were more used to putting up their own nets on a Sunday morning, than playing in front of 300 fans at Retford and rubbing shoulders with the likes of former Derby, Notts County and Watford defender Charlie Palmer now the clubs coach.

By the start of December, Khalsa had lost 15 of their first 21 matches.

"When I got the letter from the Central Midlands saying we had been accepted, we had a big party," said Karnjit. "Players didnt realise what it meant to them.

"But after playing they realised how much improvement is needed and how good that league really is. The players are much fitter, theyre sharper, there are no long balls, and theyre all passing and moving. We were getting ripped apart by some teams."

But by the turn of the year the players had found some consistency and embarked on an unbeaten run stretching 14 games.

As the manager points out, it was "championship form" that saw Khalsa go second in the leagues form table for four weeks and eventually rise to finish 16th.

Karnjit reflects: "We were on a high because we had a settled side. At the start of the season we were making four changes each game and never had a settled side.

"We had started with a 4-4-2 because thats how we used to play in the Sunday League where it was simple and effective. But in this league youve got to change your formation quite often. Eventually we moved to 3-5-2.

"Charlie has had a massive impact. We used to train by having a run around the park, do a few shuttles and then have a game.

"Charlie brings professionalism and we are learning from him, just by listening to him talk."

The recent breakthrough by which a club can be promoted through the Central Midlands League into the Northern Counties as a result of the standard of their ground has also excited Karnjit. New ground proposals should see his club playing in their own state-of-the-art stadium next year.

He adds: "I just hope other clubs follow our footsteps. Sixty-four Asian teams play in summer tournaments nationwide, and we are the only one that play Level 4 football. Somethings wrong.

"What do the other 63 teams do during the season? Are they still paying in Mickey Mouse leagues or are they just not bothering?

"Hopefully the profile we are getting will raise awareness and make other Asian sides realise they can make the breakthrough."