Thackley AFC player Tawheed Ahmed sat down for a special edition of "Ten Questions for Thackley" as he explains about not just his football journey, but his faith, how he will be marking Ramadan and how the fast impacts upon his preparation for matches and training.

1. How long have you been at Thackley AFC?

I joined Thackley at the start of the 2024/2025 season in July.

2. Which previous clubs have you played for?

Tadcaster Albion and Selby town.

3. What is your earliest football memory?

My earliest football memory is from primary school. As a kid I always used to play football at home or at school. I started supporting Manchester United during the 2006 season just after the world cup so I would say that.

4. What is your favourite thing about Thackley AFC?

My favourite thing about Thackley AFC is probably how welcoming everyone has been. I only joined this season but feel like I’ve been here for years. There are so many people behind the scenes that go unmentioned that do a lot for the club. It’s a really good place to be at the minute! Great bunch of lads and management team that push me every session and game which only helps my development as a player. Special mention to Uncle Demps [Player / Assistant Manager Matty Dempsey] for making me a #DennyBoy ?

5. What is your best football moment?

I have a few in football which I have been lucky enough to experience. Scoring the winner and getting man of the match in the first Bradford derby of the season vs Eccy was a great moment for me. The FA Cup run we went on was amazing especially the full time scenes after beating Golcar United. Playing in front of national league crowds against York and Scarborough was a great experience. The season my Sunday team Olympic FC won the double I got the players player of the season which was a special moment for me as well.

6. What is your worst football moment?

My worst football moment was probably missing an FA Cup game vs Chester FC last season through injury that was on red button BBC iPlayer when at Tadcaster Albion.

7. Who is your football icon?

My football icon is the usual Cristiano Ronaldo but recently people have said I play like Riyad Mahrez so either one because they are both goalscoring wingers with flair.

8. What are your aims in football for the future?

Just to play at the highest level possible, play with a smile on my face and keep fit!

9. Ramadan starts this evening. Can you give the Thackley AFC supporters an insight into your faith, and how this fits in with your football during the season?

So I’m a Muslim and the holy month of Ramadan starts tonight. I aim to pray my 5 daily prayers and the club have been amazing for this as they have accommodated prayer space for me and even asked away grounds when we arrive. Fasting is a chance for us to get closer to God and cleanse our spiritual self. It gives us the opportunity to realise how lucky we are to have food on our table compared to people who don’t. It really makes us appreciate what we have. Within the football season it just depends on what time the games are to make adjustments. Sometimes games are after I have opened my fast so I would have something light and then the 3pm kick offs I would just have a healthy meal before sunrise.

10. And for Ramadan itself, can you explain how the “fast” works and how you will need to prepare for matches during and around your fast?

The ‘fast’ is basically fasting from sunrise to sunset. This year I’ll be waking up just before 5:30am and having something to eat, pray and go back to sleep. During the day I won’t have any food or water till about sunset which probably will be just before 6pm. I will then break my fast with some food and go to evening prayers at the mosque.

For matches in the evening it’s more or less the same as I’ll be able to keep hydrated before the game and snack on some fruits to keep my energy levels up. There have been times where I have actually opened my fast on the pitch as sometimes sunset was later. The league has been really good with that recently as I feel there is more awareness of Ramadan. Referee’s would let me have 5-10 minutes to break my fast and then restart the game. When ramadan has fallen on longer days it can be quite tough but as the days go on your body gets used to it. The benefits of fasting are so good and I feel better physically after the month is over. My best goalscoring months have come in Ramadan so let’s hope that continues till the end of the season!

Tawheed Ahmed is kindly sponsored this season by Weigh Better Together who we kindly thank for their support.