I played for Mitchley United for some while and then we merged with Glendale United. At one stage Glendale had 2 league teams and third team 'The Pissheads' who played at lot of friendlies.
I also took over a club secretary at Glendale in the latter years and served on the CSL management Committee for a few years.
I remember at one stage we had 12 divisions of 10 teams in the league.
I used to take all the results on my answerphone on a Sunday afternoon!!!
Like others have said, muddy, bone dry or frozen pitches, removing dog crap, putting up the nets, waiting for opposition!
Getting to the venue and the park keeper calling the game off! Especially where there is 4-5 pitches, dozens of players all pissed off for turning out for nothing!!!
Also hoping your referee turned up? No ref no match!

Does anyone remember the plunge baths at Purley Way or as mentioned the bloody wind, goal kicks that blew back behind the goal line for a corner!! Hostile receptions from the home support at Warbank Cresent, nice pitches and facilities on private grounds.

We also went through a phase of wearing the worst coloured Arsenal kits at Glendale so we didn't ever have to change them due to a colour clash with the opposition!
I used to like Surrey cup matches when you met earlier than usual, ended up driving for miles in convoy (usually losing one or 2 cars on the way) deep into darkest Surrey looking for some park, field or common somewhere.
The player who usually had the contact details of the opposition was in one of the cars you had lost earlier on route! But in the end you usually all made it more by luck than judgement.
Glendale also went on football tours, some abroad. My god we had some fun, did some drinking and managed somehow to play some football as well!!
I remember we got sponsorship for a while from The 'Two Brewers' then the 'White Horse' pub now 'Holmesdale'.
I still occasionally see a few of the guys I played with up the Palace when I go, some of them still play in a vets league!!
Still looking back overall I had very good times.

Also remember very well 1983 to about 1998, played for Glenbury in 3rd Division and Helmets Pandas..(yes really) in 10th. Loved every minute apart from 2 broken legs. Remember at one of the Purley way sites it had a sunken bath, was awesome after a freezing cold day. Also vividly remember the rubbing on of horse liniment and the stench!

Happy days!

I played for Glendale for one season. Seemed to remember most games were at PurleyWay

I remember playing Sunday League on Purley Way Pitch 13??(Croydon Municipal league). One Sunday It was so windy we played 2 right wingers and 2 right backs as the ball never made it to the left.

I ride a GS scooter with my hair cut neat
I wear my war time coat in the wind and sleet.

You could have played pro for chelsea back then mate, although it would have been smaller crowds!

I Played for a half decent side on a Saturday in the County league but always played with my mates on a Sunday . 1975-2003 . I was in my mid 40's when the legs gave up and the mates who I started out with were long gone from the game to found on local golf courses .

I was clearing the garage out a couple of years back and came across a bag with my old kit in it . Unwashed from 20 years ago I threw the contents in the skip but for some reason started cleaning my boots . The Mrs came out and gave me a strange look .

''I might need them one day you never know '' I pleaded as she threw them where the kit was

It never leaves you , even now in my 60's as I walk past the kids in the park having a kick about I hope the ball will come in my direction so I can pass it back to them