As I ripen with age I sometimes find myself reminiscing about the various phases in my life. I look back at my football playing years with very fond memories.

In the early eighties a couple of ex soldier friends of mine invited me to play for Norwood Victory FC, a British Legion just around the corner from Selhurst. At first the team was average at best but due to the amazing camaraderie amongst the group we started to attract some talented players, particularly our Goalkeeper who was playing in a league well below his ability.

Within a couple of seasons we were promoted from the Croydon Sunday league 12 to league 11 and then back to back promotions to the heady heights of League 9. We played at some interesting grounds such as Purley Way, Duppas Hill, New Addington, Ashburton and so on. During this period we somehow developed a fierce rivalry with a team called High View Fosa who matched us game for game. Thirty years on I apologise, unreservedly to the stocky (and lippy) midfielder who was far too agile to get in the way of my reckless two footed lunge.

I recall turning up to matches in the morning and feeling delighted that I could count at least eight players, enough to not forfeit the match. With stale beer breath we would make some kind of attempt to put up the nets and sellotape the gaping holes as the biased opposition linesmen checked our work. The over zealous referees just willing us to swear so as that we could get sent off for ‘foul and abusive’ language!

So what’s the point of this thread? Well, I would like to hear others experiences/memories of Sunday League football particularly as we hear about the ridiculous transfer deals that have taken place this January. Grass roots are what it’s all about. Enjoyment, friendships and the belief that we are doing something worthwhile…

Nice on Rusheslake. Fabulous memories!

Blimey small world isnt it??
Used to go to Heath Clark Grammar School from 1965 -71
Played in the school 1st team Saturday mornings, Telecom FC Saturday afternoons then Glendale or Mitchley on Sunday afternoons, guess you could say I liked football
Didnt know that there was a team of old boys from there
I think the school was knocked down some years back, probably a housing estate now...

happy days, I played for the midday sun and can remember the beer breath, the old ref who never got out of the centre circle, white horse oils (do they still us it) but most of all the laughs occasional scrape and running down the wing and being tripped up by a bloke on the line with a rottwieller. Oh the addington boys loved a laugh. Bless 'em

I played for Glendale for one season but I unfortunately can’t remember any other team members. Also played for Newton Heath in the junior leagues. One season for Appelgarth club ( it then folded having only won 1 game all season). All this would be about 1974-1976. ( junior league earlier which was Shirley and District))
Funniest memory was playing on a Saturday in Beckenham league for Croydon Strikers. At the time deliberate hand ball on the goal line was not an automatic red card. I pushed shot onto the bar but female ref awarded a goal and booked me. At half-time I discussed it with her (politely) as I thought if goal was awarded why book me. She stated “well I won’t award the goal then” I pointed out she could not cancel the goal. Next week relayed story to the ref and unfortunately I was less than complimentary about the lady ref, his reply “ oh that was you, she is my wife” we lost that match

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Purley Way on an ice cold windy day was most enjoyable