Continental Who?

For many Burton supporters possibly the first time they ever heard the name of Continental Star FC was earlier this week, when the club announced it had signed Kristian Ramsey-Dickson from them on a six-month professional contract. Not surprising really when the club competes in the Midland Football Combination, which also includes clubs such as Coventry Copsewood, Cadbury Athletic and Pilkington XXX amongst its members.

Originally formed in 1973, Continental Star also compete in junior football all the way down to Under 8 level, plus host a ladies team and, my personal favourite, an over 35`s team. In fact there really isn`t an area of West Midlands football that you won`t find one of their teams competing in.

A club that is renowned for their hospitality, fair play and inclusivity, you may be surprised to learn that Continental Star FC is much more than just a football club, extending a whole range of off-field activities for the residents of the Handsworth/Aston/Newtown area of Birmingham, particularly school-age children. Their “Second Strike” community programme is probably unique in football, which brings in children excluded from school, those at risk of exclusion and other vulnerable youngsters and offers them coaching in sporting and vocational subjects. To be honest this club puts many much larger clubs to shame.

Led by Lincoln Moses, who was awarded an MBE for his community work, the club has a successful track record on and off the field and is a role model for how football clubs can really integrate themselves into the wider community.

So Burton Albion seems to have signed itself a footballer who has been educated in all the right principles to help him make a go of it in the game. Here`s hoping we see Kristian performing for us for many seasons to come, and it goes without saying that Vital Football Burton wishes him every success as he sets out to carve a career in football.