Gambians in Luton are working hard to organise a football competition in the town after a disappointing exit in the Birmingham Summer Football Tournament.

Defending champions Luton were tipped to win the trophy, but exited after hosts Birmingham beat them 5-4 on penalties to reach the final. However, this defeat was marred by controversy, with Luton arguing that the shoot-out should never have taken place.

Two-one victories over Birmingham and Reading had left Luton joint top of Group A with Birmingham, with both teams tied on six points. However, the Luton team had been led to understand that they would progress to the final, since they had the superior head-to-head record over the Midlands outfit.

Instead penalties were used to decide who would face Group B champions Leeds, with Birmingham then going on to beat the Yorkshire representatives 3-0 in the final. Head of the Luton organising committee Cherno Jallow and coach Wandeh Njie admitted they were deeply frustrated with events.

Wandeh Njie, a former Gambian international, said: "I have complained to the Birmingham FA and told them I am disappointed. There was foul play going on. My players showed what they could do." A lack of provisions upon arrival at Birmingham - including an absence of changing facilities - added to Luton's sense of injustice. They are now going to host their own tournament, to show how things should be done, with a competition confirmed as taking place at Wigmore Park on August 8. "Our tournament will be nice and professional, with good changing rooms, good referees and good organisation," added Njie.

Cherno Jallow said Luton deserved to stage their own tournament after their successes in recent years and explained that Wakefield, Manchester, London and Watford had already hosted their own competitions. Mamudou Max Jallow, secretary of the Luton Gambian Association, confirmed Gambians from Reading, Crawley, Nottingham, Watford and London will be at the tournament, as well as another team from Luton made up of other African nationalities. Luton's tournament will be the first to admit teams with non-Gambians. "We want to include the diversity of other groups," Mamudou Jallow said. Luton can take some encouragement from the Birmingham tournament, with lots of exciting talent on show. Modou Joof finished top scorer with three goals, while team-mate Buba Sonko scored Luton's goal of the tournament, dribbling around three defenders and the goalkeeper to score.

A 3-1 loss against Manchester brought a reality check to the team, though, in their final group game. And Njie admitted that Luton's past success may have worked to their disadvantage. "Being defending champions, all the teams will put in an extra effort just to beat you," he added. The Gambian squad consisted of Njie, Dawda Jammeh, Dudou Gillen, Assan Ndure, Saihou Bawor, Joof, Abdoulie, Buba Sonko, assistant coach Momodou Janneh, Ebou Njie, Yaya Gassama, Pamodou Jaiteh, Njaga Samba, Cherno Jallow, Amat Jallow and Lat Bawo. Simultaneously, Gambian ladies from Luton were all set to play in a rounders competition, but poor light and rain meant their matches had to be cancelled.