FOOTBALL IS THE NATIONAL PAST-TIME, AND THE BEAUTIFUL GAME IS ENJOYED BY MILLIONS OF SPECTATORS AND PLAYERS EVERY YEAR, AS IT IS ONE OF THE MOST ACCESSIBLE SPORTS ON THE PLANET. IN BRITAIN, PLAYING ON A SATURDAY OR SUNDAY IS THE STARTING POINTS OF MILLIONS OF LOVE AFFAIRS WITH THE REALEST AND PUREST FORM OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME. BUT THE NUMBERS INVOLVED WITH SUNDAY LEAGUE FOOTBALL ARE DECLINING. WE NEED TO PRESERVE THIS FORM OF THE GAME, AND INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION TO CARRY ON THIS FINE TRADITION OF AMATEUR AND GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL. ‒‒‒ WHAT FOLLOWS ARE QUOTES AND TESTIMONIES FROM REAL PEOPLE, BOTH MALE AND FEMALE, OF VARIOUS AGES AND EXPERIENCES, WHO HAVE ALL ENJOYED FOOTBALL IN ITS VARIOUS FORMS AT DIFFERING LEVELS.
Why did you start playing football? “As a child I was a rugby player but got asked to fill in as a Centre Back for my school in Year 8, later that year I damaged my knee cap playing rugby during a trial. The doctors insisted I didn’t play rugby for the foreseeable to I started to play football regularly and my love for the game grew from there and has since surpassed my love for Rugby.”
“Because I love football and have seen the joy it brings to those who play and watch it, from amateur level to professional.�
“Work started a ladies football team�
“As the majority of young boy’s, I loved football growing up. My dad played professionally for Halifax in the old 3rd Division and he signed me up to a team from the age of around 6-7 years old.”
What is your most enjoyable memory of playing football? “My favourite memory of playing football is when I came on during extra-time to score a brace and send Beeston United through to the Final of the YCFL cup.�
“I have always enjoyed being part of a team - sharing the experience with others and working together. In recent years I have enjoyed coaching younger players and giving them opportunities to develop.�
“Scoring a winner for my team to win the cup”
“Playing at Carrow road” (home of Norwich city)
“Getting to the cup final and saving a penalty, everyone cheering the rush was amazing”
“Travelling to France for a tournament When I was 14, great experience!”
“Just playing with mates on Sunday afternoons”
“Being part of a team”
“Playing football for a team where everyone are good mates is always a good thing and beneficial for the team�
“Hanging out with friends and generally having stuff to do during the nights�
What is the funniest, strangest, or 'Most Sunday league’ thing you have seen on a football pitch? ‒ “One game an ambulance who came to collect a player with a broken leg got stuck in the mud and another ambulance had to come to get the injured player. At the end of the match we realised the key to the changing room was in the bag of the guy who had gone to hospital”
“We once came up against a team with 9 men and their keeper was wearing boots, suit trousers, a tracksuit top, and no gloves. That’s a bit strange.”
“There is nothing worse than travelling to an away game on a cold Sunday morning to find the game has been cancelled and you have to travel all the way back home�
“One of our players once tackled the ref and the game was delayed 10 minutes”
“A fan running on to the pitch to punch the ref was the strangest thing.”
“We had a dog that ran onto our pitch as A biweekly affair. The owner definitely had some mischievous obsession with shouting after his Labrador in front of everyone.�
“My boyfriend winding up the opposition goal keeper by doing side steps and smiling in front of him whilst the match was in play�
“A cocky midfielder crying after being sent off.... He must have being 25.”
“I once saw a player arguing with his mum because he felt she was embarrassing him.”
“There are many. For me, I mainly remember the awful shouts from my team mates. 'It’s still 0-0 boys’. One player used to shout 'I’m not superman’ every time he took a throw in; even if an available player was feet away. Only so that he would achieve a chuckle from the local mums.”
“When attending an away game, the league affiliated referee came in his referee kit, to then ring another referee who he knew so that he could play against us due to the opposition not being able to field a full 11. Subsequently the ref scored a 35 yard screamer, although we won 7-1.�
What advice would you give to someone looking to get into Sunday League football? ‒
“To enjoy it most of all, and always give 100%, everyone will appreciate it and it will help you as well as the team�
“Find a team with the best sense of community, quality may not have the best sense of being a team as there can be cliques, friends are more important�
“Go for it! I’m not a great footballer, I’m a lad who enjoys it who is probably above average. I know what its like to not start all the time. But it’s fun, good crack and there’s a standard for everyone. Always give it a go. You’ll make friends who have things in common so its not going to hurt having a go.”
“Be committed as a new player you may not get a chance to play immediately but throughout the season the team will need you. Don’t quit when the winter weather comes.”
“Do it. The community is brilliant, It breaks up your week and gives you something to look forward to. Fitness is a bi-product of the fun.�
“Do it, the team spirit and moral is worth it! It keeps you healthy, Makes you friends and is fun to do.�
“Definitely do it as soon as you can because it’s a great way to meet new people and have fun.”
“Be determined.”
“Just be committed.”
“If YOU enjoy the game just get involved.”
“Do it. Play well but also enjoy it.”
“Do it! There’s standards for everyone.”
“Do it, it’s fun and gets you active.”
“Go for it!”
“Just do it.”
“To do it, enjoy it and have fun.”
“Do it... You’ll regret it if not.”
“Play with friends, have fun, don’t take it too seriously.”
“Take the plunge and get involved, it’s the most purist form of true Old School English football. Some of my best friends where met via, Sunday league football and the camaraderie built is a long lasting thing.”
“Find a friendly and competitive team, but don’t focus all on results.”
“Don’t let your team members get you down, and don’t take nastiness from opposition too personal.”