A UAE second division club have got a former Newcastle cult hero as manager and an ex Premier League striker up front for them.
Gulf United were founded by a group of English coaches in 2019 with the team starting life as an academy.
In recent years it has become a fully-fledged club while still nurturing some of the best 18 to 23-year-olds in the region.
The club are managed by none other than former Newcastle United legend Steven Taylor.
The 37-year-old made 217 appearances for the Magpies and became head coach of Gulf United in 2021.
Under his stewardship the club won promotion to the second tier after defeating Fleetwood United, the sister team of English side Fleetwood Town.
read more football stories
The promotion-winning squad was built up of players from 49 nationalities with the majority African who grew up with limited resources.
The club do a lot of work to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Speaking to the Chronicle Live in March 2022 Taylor said: ” The guys we’ve got now, especially with their backgrounds, we look after their football boots for them and make sure they’ve got the right kit and trainers for the gym.
“They have everything they need here and that’s thanks to the sponsors we’ve got, who basically fund everything for them.
Most read in Football
“We house them and get them food every night so they’re always looked after.
Taylor concluded: “They don’t have to worry about anything now, which is the best thing. They can just concentrate on football.”
The newest signing is former Norwich and Celtic man Gary Hooper who joined last week.
Fans will be hoping that Hooper can provide the goals to fire Gulf United to another promotion this season.
Taylor’s side have got four more matches to play including an exhibition game against Al-Hilal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
