'FC Peterborough is part of me - even on holiday'

The chairman of a grassroots football club said he carried his passion for his team everywhere - even deep into the Mediterranean Sea.

Arif Aziz, 55, has been chair of FC Peterborough since its inception 10 years ago, and he said he could not believe how much the club had achieved in that time.

The community club is made up of hundreds of players from ages five to 50, who represent 26 different nationalities. Its men's first team has reached the Eastern Counties First Division North.

Mr Aziz decided to use his scuba diving experience while on holiday in Antalya, Turkey, to dive with his FC Peterborough shirt, to show how much the club means to him.

"It was very spur of the moment," Mr Aziz said. "I was deep under the water so breathing was hard and I'm not the strongest swimmer either. Taking the photo in that situation wasn't easy, but turned out to be fantastic.

"Since [the club's] inception it has been my passion, it's the heart and soul of what I do and most of my time is spent with the club. It's part of me, even on holiday."

The club celebrated its decade anniversary this year. It was initially started to give children the opportunity to play football and try to progress their skills.

Mr Aziz said the club was representative of Peterborough's own diverse community.

He added the team shirt he was pictured with represented FC Peterborough and also Palestine - which meant "so much" to many club members.

"It's about awareness and how much can be done if we all work together," Mr Aziz said.

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