Muhammad Abdur Rahman, who was born in Rochdale, started playing football at the age of seven and now plays for Coppull United in the West Lancashire Football League.
After a promising school football career, he joined Burnley’s youth team in 2018.
He made 47 appearances for the under 16 and under 19 teams, scoring four goals, and making one assist as a defender and winning performance of the season and player of the month awards.
In August 2018, he had a shot at something very special, trialling with Jack Wilshere’s NCF Elites London U18 academy.
Hoping to play for England at the Gothia Youth World Cup, he trained with Jack Wilshere’s NCF Elites London in Enfield for eight months.
He said: “It was an amazing experience and one to remember.
“That experience with Jack Wilshere’s NCF Elites, it was more than just football.
“The journey from Rochdale to London every week, the level of coaching, the talent of the players I was alongside, it was very good.
“I really loved every minute of it.
“It showed me what is possible.”
Rahman’s career continued – he numbers Rochdale Nomads FC, Macclesfield FC U15, Manchester Central, Rochdale Sacred Heart, Rochdalians, Euxton Villa FC, Route One Rovers, Bolton County, and Uppermill FC among the teams he has played for.
But in February 2023, he faced a health setback which sidelined him for 12 months.
He said: “I experienced a major health setback that was initially diagnosed as a manic episode.
“However, after ongoing discussions with my mental health nurse, we explored the possibility that what I had gone through was actually a spiritually induced altered state of consciousness.
“During this time, I entered an intense state where my energy levels dramatically increased, my speech became very fast, and I felt as though I had been transported to another realm.
“My breathing quickened, and I began expressing thoughts and words that were completely outside of my usual character – including things I would never normally say to my family.
“It was a deeply challenging and confusing period.”
To regain balance and well-being, he focused on physical recovery.
He committed to running daily and paid close attention to his diet, sleep, and overall health.
As his physical condition improved, he slowly returned to football training, which played a huge part in helping him heal both physically and mentally.
In August 2024, Rahman signed with Coppull United, where he is still playing and looking back on the experiences that formed him as a player in Enfield.
