On the edge of the famous hallowed turf of Hackney Marshes,
is a small complex of grass and 3G football pitches, and there would seem to be
no better place to host the first official match of Hackney Wick FC.
A team only months old. The brain child of a once promising
footballer, whose life has taken him to prison, where he wrote two books,
educated himself, came out and devoted his life to his daughter, his community
and football.
Bobby Kassanga originally from South London, was at an
all-time low when prison put his football career on hold, he missed the
formative years of his daughter growing up, but instead of his time in prison
making him bitter, he used it as an opportunity to better himself.
Not a native of Hackney, he has though lived there for 12
years now, he felt the borough was missing that unifying element that a
football club can give. Islington has Arsenal, Haringey has Spurs, and Newham
has West Ham, so surely a borough as big and diverse as Hackney deserves the
same, so Hackney Wick FC (HWFC) was born.
One thing crucial to Bobby’s vision was that of the club
being for and about the community. He wanted to make sure the club always gave
back to the people around it, much more than it ever took out.
Mine and Toms involvement was down to one tweet, asking if
you wanted to be the owner of a football club, the ultimate aim is for HWFC to
be community owned. This instantly excited us, as our own work has made us both
aware of the great things being done by fan owned clubs, like FC United Of
Manchester and two teams we visited last season AFC Wimbledon and Enfield Town
FC. In fact a day does not to go by at the moment, without a story of fans
reclaiming their club in one way or another.
A meeting was arranged after a bit of email back and forth
with Bobby, where I asked eagerly “where do we sign up? In a burger restaurant
near Liverpool St Station, our very own Freemasons' Tavern, the few who had
shown interest meet for the first time, and the committee was formed.
HWFC was created with the idea of supporting and assisting
the local community at the forefront. The majority of fan owned clubs come from
an act of rebellion, a retaliation to perhaps change the way your club is being
run, the fact that someone wants to pick it up all together, like an NFL
franchise and move it somewhere else, pulling it apart at the seams, or it’s a
“phoenix club” trying to save the name and history, once the original
incarnation had been destroyed.
The last few months have been a blizzard of WhatsApp
messages, meetings and our best attempts to publicise the day, and let the
people of Hackney know we are here, and asking them to come and be involved.
Before even a ball had been kicked, HWFC has been making
itself known locally, as an organisation willing to help. Handing out water at
a half marathon, planting sunflower seeds, singing in a choir, or offering free
women’s football training. What started as a session for the Wicked Women of
Hackney, the local WI, and was only ever meant to be fortnightly, but was so
popular it’s now every week. In fact a couple of their members make up the women’s
squad today.
HWFC have done everything to make their intensions clear,
and we stand by the moto “Our Borough, Our Club”
The fact we are at this point today, a team which only a
couple of months ago was just an idea, and now has a full kit, a men’s and
women’s team, and they are both about to play their first games in yellow and
black, makes me immensely proud of everyone involved.
The tall trees that line one side of Mabley Green rustle, on
a warm but blustery day. “Hackney Wick FC” bunting made in the clubs colours by
the local Women’s Institute is proudly on display, tied to a fence fluttering
away. Both the men’s and women’s team are there, and Bobby is flying about in
his flip flops and club polo shirt. Claire and Brian, two members of the
committee, have taken up position behind a fold out table, selling badges and
raffle tickets. The chance to win an England shirt signed by the “Golden
Generation” is enough to entice people to part with £5. Bobby whips up support,
and encourages people to buy one, apologising that his “good friend” David
Beckham could not be here today.
The women’s team are warming up on the pitch, as the coach
Sam gets them ready. Sam's story is a blog all of it's own. Having moved to the UK from Eritrea in 1998, not long after she was scouted by Tottenham Hotspur Ladies FC, and played for them for nearly 10 years. She brings a wealth of experience to the club, coaching men and women since the age of 15, as well a six month stint coaching in the USA.
Bobby is in a constant state of motion, doing one thing or
another, at one point he is helping tap a keg of beer donated by a local
brewery, and announces “the beer is ready!”
Out of the corner of my eye I notice one of the women’s team being helped off the pitch limping, and obviously in some distress, however I think this is more because she is unlikely to play, rather than the severity of the injury.
A few familiar faces appear pitch side, some of the Clapton
Ultras we met at the Essex Senior League Cup Final and Peter Dudley a presenter
on the local East London Radio Grass Roots Football Show, and huge supporter of
all things non-league, are all here showing their support.
One Ultra in his black cap with St Pauli patch, and Clapton
scarf tells me of a woman local to where he lives, who was so inspired by the
recent World Cup, he had told her to get in touch with HWFC, after she made a
plea on social media asking for suggestions of where she could play.
Slowly but surely fold up chairs and picnic blankets spring up pitch side, and the worry of no one turning up, is quickly dissipating.
Sam now kneels on the pitch as the rest of the women’s team
in white shirts and black shorts huddle around her and take advice for the game
ahead.
Today’s opposition for the men and women are the Football Beyond
Borders (FBB) Warriors (Women’s team) and Wanderers (Men’s team). FBB are a
“grassroots youth-led charity”, who use the almighty power of the beautiful
game, to unite people, working in some of London’s most disadvantaged areas and
schools. Using football coaching in a combination with mentoring and tutoring.
The FBB Warriors emerged from Women Beyond Borders, a
project which began in December 2013 to support more women to
begin playing regular football for the first time. Just like HWFC
they also offer free women’s training, as well all participants being given the
chance to gain FA Level 1 and 2 coaching qualifications. The FFB Wanderers,
like the Warriors are a by-product of FBB community work, an initiative to
unite “rival” areas in South London. They have partnered with Wanderers F.C.
the winners of the first FA Cup. Having played a successesion of friendly’s
over the last year, both the Warriors and Wanderers are joining leagues for the
first time this coming season.
The Warriors warm up at one end of the pitch in exactly the
same strip as the HWFC Men’s team. HWFC are doing one last huddle and in unison
cry “GO WICKERS” this gets bums off seats and to the side-lines to applaud them
on “Come on you Wickers”, “Come on Girls”.
Sam and Bobby walk the touchline, giving out advice in the
early moments of the game. Rana the clubs Chairwoman takes up a solid central
midfield position, and as a diehard Chelsea fan, it would only be proper to say
she is playing the “Makélélé” role.
The first touch of the ball from the HWFC keeper, a simple
save, brings the first celebration of the day.
FBB dominate the game in most parts, and it’s a resounding
victory, scoring 13 goals over the course of 60 minutes, with one stand out
performance in particular from a 14 year old student from South London. Tall,
powerful, skilful, and with obvious natural ability, she glides across the
pitch. Her hat trick goal is a fine low curling right footed shot, and if it
was not for what seemed like a bit of a knock after a collision shortly after,
that brought her off, I’m sure she would have gone on and scored many more.
Her history teacher from Croydon, who is present at the
game, is beaming. Having recognized her and her fellow student’s enthusiasm, he
personally drives them to training every week, to give them the opportunity to
play, and he is quick to tell me what great students they are.
The Warriors are encouraged to play a passing game, with 3
at the back. Their manager is quick to applaud them when a slick move results
in a goal, “that’s why we pass it, good work!”
Although the FBB victory is one sided, this does nothing to take away from the job of the HWFC team, who continue to be positive, heads never seem to drop, and considering the short time they have played together, show great glimpses of things to come.
The highlight for the home team is when faced by a FBB
player from the penalty spot, the HWFC keeper pulls off a save to her left, the
loudest cheer of the day rings out around Mabley Green.
Both teams are clapped off, “well done Wickers” and
regardless of the result the supporters are behind them. They take the
opportunity to get some much needed water, there is by now a wicked heat haze
on the pitch, and the man taking shade under an umbrella eating a tin of beans,
has the right idea, the umbrella that is, not the beans!
“Who scored that sick goal?” said one FBB player to another.
A few changes are made to the HWFC side, the player injured
in the warm up, has a smile back on her face, as she pulls on the goalie
gloves, and limps on to the pitch, she appears much happier now she is getting
a chance to play. The midfield enforcer, Rana, is now on the touchline, or even
on a few occasions behind the goal, helping her team mates, however she can.
With not long now until the kick off for the men’s game, the
team have changed and made their way to the scorched grass pitch next to the
3G. Booby has ditched the flip flops and now has his boots on.
“Keep in line with me” is Bobby’s instruction, as he starts
the squad though a series of warm ups, jogging then, all in unison they leap
into the air, following his lead and letting out a roar.
My attention is quickly snapped back on to the women’s
match, as they have been awarded a penalty, their first real chance to get a
shot on goal. Almost everyone is now standing on the edge of the pitch, sausage
rolls have been tossed to the floor, and the next few moments leave people’s
faces with expressions of shock and bemusement! The penalty is saved, the
keeper pushes it back out into the box, and what happens next is a succession
of blocks, deflections and an almighty scramble, but it just won’t go in.
Heads are in hands, people look at each other, HOW did that
not go in “COME ON WICKERS!”
Goals are not hard to come by for FBB, but if anything it
just spurs on the people watching to back Hackney harder and louder, and then
in the final moments of the match, a real atmosphere can be felt.
A constant stream of people, make their way back and forth
to the keg on the half way line, as the final whistle goes, “well done
Wickers”.
Bobby is now in his full kit, and is doing interviews with
our visitors from Pitch Talk, a weekly podcast, they cover all topics from the women’s
game, the top flight and grass roots, who we got in touch with on Twitter, and
they joined us to make a film about the occasion, for their “on the road”
series.
It’s all handshakes and hugs on the pitch, and HWFC give the
accolades due to the victors, “Hurray, Hurray, Hurray”.
It’s time for the Men’s team, and Bobby makes a few things
clear before kick-off “mind your language, there are kids here” and “if you get
riled up, don’t bite” Kenny, the HWFC manager, tall, imposing and straight
talking, tells the team what he wants from them.
“I want to see you pass the ball”, “I want lots of width
from the full backs”.
Kenny points to Bobby, and says in his assured tone
“holding”, Bobby nods.
“In 3 seasons I guarantee you will be playing in the Essex
Senior League, guaranteed” Kenny imparts some perspective and motivation on the
squad. “Your football education starts today”, “Everyone who stays and plays,
will get better”.
“This is a team, this is Hackney Wick FC” “Go out and
f*cking enjoy yourself”.
Bobby and a few other players offer their own words of encouragement
“come on boys, we can do this”.
In the early minutes of the game possession is given away
cheaply, and it’s a bit of a scrappy start by both teams. Suddenly a great
burst of pace from the HWFC number 11, who latches onto a great ball, and as
quick as a flash is away from his marker and in front of goal, with great
composure he slots it neatly past the keeper, and history is made, this
fledgling club is off the mark.
Unfortunately the rest of the game does not follow suit, and
HWFC are unable to really get a grip on it. The cohesion and stability that
comes with playing together, is apparent in abundance, as FBB Wanders are quick
to equalize from the spot, after a great ball over the top, catches the defence
square, the full back is always playing catch up, he tugs the opposition and
the ref gives a penalty.
FBB start to pull away from HWFC, as another through ball,
catches out the defence again, and its 2 -1. A great shot from the home team,
loops over the keeper, hits the cross bar, and bounces down. Was it in?
Everyone looks at each other, surely it was, but the man in black waves the
game on, a member of Pitch Talk starts to chant “GLT, GLT, GLT” (goal line
technology)
3 – 1 is how the half ends, and once again the teams leave
the pitch to a warm reception, “Heads up Wickers”.
My previous description of Kenny is more than apparent in
his half time team talk. The players sit down, sharing and guzzling from a huge
bottle of water, one player who starts to talk is quickly put in his place,
“you want to come up here and do this for me?”
“We are getting overrun” he was not wrong the midfield was
bypassed on a few occasions.
“Discipline’s not good enough” if it wasn’t for a
particularly lax ref, the first half would have been a succession of free
kicks, and positional discipline had allowed FBB to effectively score the same
goal twice.
Kenny gets progressively louder and louder, ramping up the
volume with each point he makes.
“You really have got to take control. You’re 6’4, but you’re
chasing” pointing at one of the central midfielders.
“Stop trying to force the pass”
He is at his absolute loudest as he finishes, “Come on boys,
heads up!”
I’m on the opposite side of the pitch for the second half,
standing with the players. The clubs Vice Chairman Declan Perkins, an
ex-professional himself who represented Peterborough Utd, Southend Utd and
Dulwich Hamlet FC and Ireland at U21, who has now followed in the age old
tradition of footballers becoming pub landlords. When I ask him of his opinion
he emphasises the need for “time”, it’s easy to forget how little time this
team has been a team.
A fourth goal from FBB results in Kenny pointing his finger
at three or four players “warm up, warm up, warm up, warm up” and they pick
themselves up of the floor, and groan off in sprints ready to get substituted
on. This Sven Goran Erikson’esq move of multiple subs is for him a chance to
see who he has, and what they can do, rather than perhaps playing his strongest
11, and getting the victory.
The 5th and final goal is a half volley from outside the
box, from a diminutive player who has been a thorn in the side of HWFC the
whole game. In one gasp of “oh my God”, the scorer wheels away to the right,
his team mates chasing him down, it does not matter what team you play for,
what team you support, a screamer is a screamer.
Ice boxes start to close, picnic blankets are folded up and
put away, camping chairs are folded up, the man with the Jack Russell and the portable
radio, keeping one ear on the Ashes, starts to make his way home.
Pitch Talk’s camera is looming, and we are both gawping at
the microphone, it’s our time to do an interview, and I’m anxious and unsure
where to look. Tom look’s effortlessly Summery in his shades and flat cap, I’m
worried if my sun burnt face will be a distraction to any potential viewers.
Any concerns about being on camera are put at ease instantly, as the presenters
Gerald, Liam and Gavin, discuss the day’s events, more Parkinson than Paxman.
It’s Rana’s turn on camera, as my one burnt shin, and Toms
flat cap go in search of a much needed pint, after an exhausting day in the
sun.
After having had a chance to reflect, I think I can say we
are blown away by the turn out and support, no one wants to go to a party, and have
no one turn up, so it was incredibly invigorating and morale boosting, that all
our hard work had paid off, that people have identified with what we are doing,
and want to be a part of it.
The day was never solely about the football, yes of course
we would all be lying if we said we had not wanted both HWFC teams to win, but
putting things in perspective, today was a great achievement, and there were
some very positive things to be gleaned from both games. The whole event was a
showcase, a chance to show the community what and who we are, and from the
feedback we all got, people want to be involved, which is so exciting.
Pre-season matches are coming thick and fast, as the team prepare
for the coming season, we hope we have planted a few seeds, in a few heads, so
on that first home game, there will be a few people standing pitch side
shouting “COME ON YOU WICKERS!”
For all of our photographs from the match, click HERE
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