I’m considering working on a project about amateur football.
I intend to meet and interview people around the country and get into the heart of what’s a huge, but largely ignored past time. There are books and the occasional Danny Baker or John Fashanu show, but given how many people - and colourful characters - are involved, I feel it’s an untapped mine of entertainment.
I’m still developing the idea, and figured as part of my research I’d ask you lot for stories and perhaps the odd bit of advice. Places worth visiting or people worth meeting.
Or if you like, just talk about your own ‘careers’ in the underbelly of football!
*Edited cos I shouldn’t tell people so much.
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Might contact Amazon Prime see if they want to fund it for me
Isnt something Id do as dont have a scooby where to begin - Standby first line and think its a great idea of yours, be interested to see if you follow it through
My club folded the year after I stepped back, had been going for 30+ years. Sadly it happens but still a bit gutted about that.
Also, I used to shoot some games to make compilations for my mates. Silly stuff but it’s fun to look back -
Groans of despair from the home parents too tbf.
Stories galore which if I actually sat down and thought about could fill a book.
Never tire talking about it
The idea is to use that version of the doc to try and sell the concept of an amateur football documentary film. I don’t know if that’s going to work, but one way or another I’m making this doc. I may be in touch with some of you over the coming months as I seek out funny stories and teams to get on film.
I’ve created a Twitter account, and if you fancy watching the proof of concept doc, DM me and I’ll share the YT link. It’s very rough but hopefully entertaining in its own right.
https://twitter.com/bunch_amateurs
I have messaged my mate who has been playing Saturday/ sunday league since 16 with his twin brother. Tunbridge wells area, had many clubs and one club he has always gone back to. I have asked if he can send you an email
I personally only ever played the odd game, quite limited and too busy going out weekends to put any effort in. One game I remember coming on the pitch was proper hard (as I found out) within 5 seconds of coming on I get clattered by someone and took a big tumble to all my friends pleasure lol
a lot of my issues were the politics in football, playing old gits up front instead of me just because they have been at the club for centuries, in all fairness it was both ways I would put in the effort to turn up to training but a few times wasn't too fussed about playing.
Played for my club for 36 seasons and was manager/secretary for 32 of them.
Lots of stories; many good fun but some not so nice.
Not sure I'd want to go into the bad ones...some of it is very painful but I'd be happy to share the sillier ones.
Here's a daft example;
A cup game in 1988. Picture kick off; I'm the right-back and have spotted their keeper indulging in a fag so instruct our best player to have the ball laid back to him from centre and shoot. However, best player bottles it and scoops the ball back aerially to our centre-back (Birdy). Birdy plays a deft back header to our keeper "Rabbit-Face Colin". All good....except "RFC" is standing next to Birdy at the time. Cue "RFC" giving vain chase to the ball towards the empty net.....0-1.....and the opposition have even touched the ball.
Same game; left-winger goes past me and centres at around knee height. RFC comes out to pouch but Birdy is charging towards his own goal line and somehow manages to fire the ball in at the near post.
Same game; (you know what's coming here don't you?) they curl a corner into the 6 yard box. RFC comes to punch but only succeeds in wiping out everyone in front of him. The ball sails cleanly to the back post, where Birdy is on guard. However, he is seemingly taken by surprise and the ball crashes into his bollocks....and dribbles across the line. Birdy has completed his hat-trick and we lose 4-2.
Supa, I'll drop you a message now...
Believe it or not...yes he did. He was THE most reliable defender....very hard but very fair (only booked once). Never gave me a moment's trouble and never whinged or whined. We were in the same class at Northolt High School and he came to Charlton regularly with me in the Simonsen/Hulyer/Sunley days. He was one of only about 35 on the terrace at Newcastle in the rain 1983 (lost 1-2) and was at Man City the day we got bashed 1-5.
His playing record for Old Greenfordians FC;
Apps 407 Goals 5.....and he scored two of those in his first two games!! He played from 1982 to 2007 but also came out for one memorable game in 2014. He also racked up about 250 games for our Saturday XI's (mainly 3rds).