A NEW START FOR FOOTBALL IN EAST LONDON - CUSTOM HOUSE UNITED ARE FORMED

The London Borough of Newham has seen a major change at the grass roots level of football over recent months with the merger of "Custom House FC" and "Custom House Community FC" announced to form a new club Custom House United who will compete in the Essex Alliance Football League. 

Custom House Community were formed in 2013 and finished bottom of the EAL Division Three last season with Custom House FC forming in 2011 finishing in 10th of 12 clubs Division Two table for the 2017/18 campaign. It was a real struggle for CHC as they were beaten nineteen times in twenty league games conceding 153 goals in the process. 

Hopefully now with the two clubs now one football for the local area will be in a stronger position for the forthcoming campaign and beyond. 

TheColdEnd spoke to Nick Field who will be first team manager of the club next season. Nick has been involved in the game for over 40 years and has represented Dagenham and Stevenage Borough many years ago.  

WHAT ARE YOUR AIMS FOR THE CLUB THIS FORTHCOMING SEASON? 
To maintain a serious title challenge and have at least one good cup run. 

HOW CAN THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION HELP CLUBS LIKE YOURS IN GRASS ROOTS FOOTBALL? 
Lower fees and offer more coaching workshops 

HOW CAN LOCAL COUNCILS HELP CLUBS LIKE CUSTOM HOUSE UNITED? 
Stop charging outrageous fees for poor park pitches, fix up dilapidated changing facilities and relax some of the ludicrous parking restrictions 

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO GET A GAME ON THIS SEASON? 
I have no dealings with the finance but I believe it is in the region of £100 per home game 

DO ALL OF YOUR PLAYERS LIVE IN THE CUSTOM HOUSE AREA... THE AREA HAS OBVIOUSLY CHANGED LOTS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS.. IS IT FOR THE WORSE OR THE BEST? 
The vast majority of our squad live or have ties to Custom House. The regeneration process can only be good for the area but not so good for the residents. All of this new affordable housing they babble on about is not affordable for the vast majority of Custom House residents.

WHICH TEAM ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING THIS SEASON?
I would have to say Newham Royals. We always have good games (Field managed Custom House FC last season) with them and a fierce rivalry is noticeable when we play them. 

United have four pre-season games lined up begining on Saturday 28th July when they play Glendale FC followed by a charity game against a team from The Abbey Arms in nearby Plaistow on Saturday 4th August. Then on Saturday 11th August it's the local-derby mentioned above against Newham Royals followed by Avondale Rangers on Saturday 18th August. 

You can follow Custom House United on twitter @ChfcUtd