Founder of one if the UK’s oldest black-led community football club becomes chairman of a groundbreaking community sports hub .

Written by: Poppy Brady 05/10/2014; The Voice Newspaper.

Lincoln Moses THE MAN who manages one of the UK’s oldest black-led community football club has just taken up another role – as chairman of a groundbreaking community sports hub.

Lincoln Moses is at the helm of the Hub in Perry Barr, Birmingham which has transformed its playing pitches into a major sports destination run by four different clubs.

The Holford Drive venue boasts four football pitches, a cricket square, four floodlit tennis courts, two cricket nets, two floodlit multi-use games areas and a pavilion including a boxing hall, gym and changing rooms.

Run by Aston Boxing Club, Holford Drive Tennis Club, Continental Star Football Club, Broadway school and the newly-formed Continental Cricket club.

The Hub is becoming a major attraction for sports lovers.The clubs joined forces with Birmingham City Council to provide one of the city’s most deprived areas with first class facilities as part of a community asset transfer.

Now nore than 750 young people a week descend on The Hub, which opened only eight months ago. On a Tuesdat night alone, more than 80 youngsters come for boxing sessions, as The Hub is also the HQ for the Amateur Boxing Association.

Moses, who was awarded an MBE for services to community sport six years ago, said: “When we first took over The Hub, we called it a room without a roof, because the actual building was just a shell.“But now we have an excellent sports facility which is now a leading example of how this can work when community assets are entrusted to genuine community groups.“I love to stand on the balcony and overlook the sports pitches because from here you’re able to watch all four sports at once.

“It’s seen as a blueprint, a model which could be rolled out in other parts of the city.“The next phase is already being considered and this could include golf, rugby, Netball and table tennis,” added Moses, who revealed that he has met Prince William on enough occasions to be hailed by the Prince as ‘the man in the hat’.

Moses is general manager of Continental Star, One of the UK’s oldest black-led football club, which has now developed from an inner-city football club to a social enterprise offering Sporting pathways, Lifestyle guidance and mentoring.