ONE team name that crops up on a regular basis on the local Bolton Combination scene is Ambassadors.

The club runs two teams, one in the Premier Division and a reserves side in Division Two. However this is just one small aspect of a magnificent organisation.

'Ambassadors In Sport' was set up in Bolton by an American body, Missionary Athletes International, in 1990, with the intention to be an inter-denominational ministry which uses football to reach people throughout the world with the message of Jesus Christ.

The aims are to help local churches develop methods, through football, to set up community links and draw new believers into the fellowship, send teams overseas to assist missionaries in planting new churches and to provide training for individuals and organisations who have the desire to further a sport and religion development through a network of bases across Europe and beyond. The Bolton office at Claremont House on St Georges Road currently has four full time staff: Rob Wagler and John Boggs (both raised in Haiti), Rich Jones and Graham Dancy.

The full time staff are assisted in their work by local Christians who work for AIS on a voluntary basis in their spare time.

The club's Bolton Combination Roll of Honour in such a short a history makes impressive reading: Two Division Champions and Cup Winners 1993/94, Dobson (Fair Play) Winners 1993/94, 1995/96, Tate Trophy Winners 1994/95.

Further afield the club also won the Church of England Newspaper National Cup in 1993/94 and 1995/96.

Football club secretary is Simon Murphy. He joined the club in 1992, was second team coach in 1993 and was appointed secretary at the start of this season. He explains: "The duties I have with Ambassadors form part of the work I am involved in with Ambassadors in Sport. As a missionary organisation AIS is involved in various activities utilising football to open doors in order to spread the Gospel.

"This means that over the last four years I have personally been involved in running soccer schools, visiting and playing football against inmates at a number of prisons, going on an international tour to India and Bangladesh, where we played 'goodwill' matches against state sides, and representing Great Britain Christians in the European Nations Championship held in Jene, Germany in June."

Unfortunately on the football side four key players from last season have been moved on to other missions so the new campaign has thus far not enjoyed the club's usual success but 'we're getting there' Simon says.

Anyone wanting more information on Ambassadors In Sport should contact the Bolton office on 01204 363606.

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