PIO Netan Sansara aims to become Great Dane!

As I reported a week ago PIO Netan Sansara signs for Danish club FC Vestsjælland and for the former England Under-18 and U-19 international Netan Sansara the one-year deal with Danish First Division side FC Vestsjælland is a chance to develop in career further.

The 22-year-old pacey left-back adds another destination to his ever-impressive CV having earlier plied his trade in England, Scotland and Cyprus. Sansara is one of a handful of players who are proof that there is talent in the Asian community in Britain as he becomes the first British-born Asian to ply his trade in Danish football.

Sansara made his decision to sign for FC Vestsjælland after turning down a number of tempting offers from clubs across Europe, including a two-year extension with PAEEK FC. The Cypriot club were left in no doubt of Sansara's ability and versatility across the park after signing him last season. Primarily a left back, he filled in for half of the season at Centre-back, earning rave reviews across the football scene in Cyprus.

The Walsall-born defender began his career with his home town club, signing his first professional contract at the age of 17 and then breaking into the Saddlers first team at the age of 18. Sansara then travelled north of the border to join Dundee FC in the Scottish first division before making the decision to fly the flag for British footballers in Cyprus.

His performances for PAEEK FC saw him shortlisted for the Player of the Year award at the inaugural Asian Football Awards, which took place at Wembley Stadium in January 2012, while off the pitch, Sansara has been active in the community in his role as ambassador for anti-racism and social inclusion group Kick It Out.

Sansara is relishing the challenge with FC Vestsjælland, saying, "I'm really excited about the new season ahead of me with my new club. I'm glad to have got my future sorted and now I can concentrate on my football."

"After spending a few days in Denmark during the summer training with the team I really enjoyed my stay there, the players and the staff and it was a big reason in why I opted to join FCV. The hard work begins now and I will be doing all I can to play my part in helping the club succeed."

FC Vestsjælland, co-owned by Anglian Football, have ambitions to challenge for honours in Denmark as promotion remains their immediate plan as well as help develop football in India.

PIO Netan Sansara signs for Danish club FC Vestsjælland

English-born 'Player of Indian Origin' Netan Sansara is set to join Danish first division (second tier of Danish football) club FC Vestsjælland depending on obtaining the necessary Danish work permit.

22 year old Netan Sansara joins FC Vestsjælland after a successful trial a few weeks ago and would join the club on a one year contract. FCV have Indian co-owners in Anglian Football owned by Dubai-based Anglian Holdings, who also are shakeholders in I-League club Shillong Lajong FC.

Anglian Football is working to create opportunities in professional football in Europe for Indian footballers and for footballers of Indian origin with the signing of Netan by their co-owned club FCV can be seen as a first step in that direction.

Netan Sansara had his first break in professional football with his home town club Walsall FC, for whom he made 40 appearances in the English League One. During this time, his performances culminated in him representing England at Under-18 and Under-19 level, making his debut against Holland at Yeovil Town's Huish Park and him being the first full Asian-born footballer to represent England with Michael Chopra being only half-Indian.

After leaving Walsall FC, Netan played for Dundee FC (Scotland) and non-league English club Corby Town, before making his move to Cyprus last summer to play for second division side PAEEK FC and after a successful season there he now moves to Denmark for a new chapter in his playing career.

Birmingham Smethwick's Sikh heartbeat gives grassroots football a voice!

On Wednesday, April 25 football stars past and present from in and around Birmingham joined a cast of grassroots and community activists for an historic night jointly organised by the Smethwick Gurdwara with Kick It Out (football's equality and inclusion campaign) and FA Consultant Brendon Batson for 'One Game Smethwick'.

Held in the shadows of English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion’s Hawthorns grounds, Baggies icon Brendon Batson, newly signed Walsall full-back Malvind Benning and ex-Saddler Netan Sansara, headlined 'One Game Smethwick', the first professional football debate to be held inside a Sikh Temple in the UK.

The forum consisted of a series of presentations about football in the local community; while prior to the forum, a sixty-strong congregation of guests were given a guided tour of the Temple, and shown how the facility is used each and every day.

The event, run in conjunction with Birmingham County FA and supported by West Bromwich Albion in the Community, brought together an audience from across the area, and offered attendees an insight into how crucial Smethwick Gurdwara is in promoting tolerance and inclusion, through sport, in and around the local community.

"The Temple has been key in these areas for many years," said Buta Singh, who heads up the British Asian Club Championships, and sat alongside Gurinder Singh Josan, a representative of the Smethwick Gurdwara committee, at the top table with Marni Sidhu, a teacher and coach in Coventry, Mick Tuohy from Sandwell Leisure Trust and Jasbir Batt of Birmingham County FA.

Former Walsall defender Netan Sansara, now playing for Cypriot side PAEEK FC, is one of only a handful of British Asians who have broken through to the professional ranks, and talked candidly about the role religion plays. "I'm a Sikh boy. Even in Cyprus, my faith isn't left to fallow. There is a Temple nearby which I use, and is good for when my family comes to visit. My faith is just as important as my football and I give both equal billing in my life."

Benning, who has just signed a professional contract with English League One side Walsall, spoke of his pride at making the grade and representing the local community. "I'm in the early stages of my career and hearing from people like Netan, who was at Walsall when I was just starting out, is inspiring. His work with organisations such as Kick It Out demonstrated to me how important this area of work is, away from just the playing side."

Speaking about the importance of working closely with parents at the grassroots level of the game, Sidhu, who will be representing Kick It Out and the Black and Asian Coaches Association (BACA) at the Grass Roots Football Show next month, said, "In my role as a coach, communicating with parents is absolutely essential. This extends to being on hand to ferry youngsters to and from training sessions, when there parents are unable to do this themselves."

Mick Tuhoy, a qualified referee and chairman of the Sandwell Minor League, praised Smethwick Gurdwara for the way it engages with the local community, "I've worked in the area for over two decades, and I've seen a palpable change in the demographic of people working in this field. The changes I've seen have been dramatic. There are more posts held by women at the Trust than ever before, and more Asians participating in and on the receiving end of work that we deliver. Institutions like Smethwick Gurdwara play an important role in this."

These thoughts were echoed by Jasbir Batt, a relative newcomer with just four years experience in his position at the County FA. He concluded, "It's our job at The FA to be open and accessible to anyone. Getting youngsters into organised football can help us track how successful our efforts have been."

It was an evening of open discussion and one hopes it will help more British Asians to get into the professional game in English football.

PIO Netan Sansara signs contract in Cyprus

21 year old Player of Indian origin Netan Nico Sansara has joined Cypriot second division side PAEEK FC as the first-ever British Asian footballer to play on the island of Cyprus.

The former England Under-19 international is a strong and pacy left-back who can also play as a central defender. Born in Walsall, in the West Midlands, Sansara's grandfather was born in India, making Sansara eligible to represent India at international level, but due to the fact of still holding a British passport Netan is not eligible for India.

Netan had his first break in professional football with his home town club Walsall FC, for whom he made 40 appearances in League One. During this time, his performances culminated in him representing England at U-18 and U-19 level, making his debut against Holland at Yeovil Town's Huish Park.

After leaving Walsall FC, Netan played for Dundee FC (Scotland) and non-league club Corby Town, before making his move to Cyprus, marking an exciting new chapter in his still young career.

Upon signing for PAEEK, Netan stated his delight at the prospect of playing in Cyprus saying, "I had other offers this summer, but PAEEK is a great opportunity for me. After discussing my options with my father and my agent James Garley, I decided this is a great move for my career."

"It can be the catalyst to progress my career further. I feel fit, strong and ready to hit the ground running. We have a great opportunity to be promoted this season and I want to play a major role in making that happen," Netan added.

James Garley, Director and FA-licensed agent of Achieve, said, "This is an exciting move for Netan. He has great potential and we feel he can continue to develop whilst with PAEEK. We are proud of helping Netan to become the first British Asian player to ply his trade in Cyprus."

Netan still has a dream to one day play for India. If he can establish himself at PAEEK FC, maybe taking an Indian passport becomes an option if called for a trial with Team India.