WHAT IS YOUR FOOTBALLING HISTORY?
My knowledge of Sunday league football was pretty basic until starting the club. When I was aged 6/7 I joined the Tottenham Hotspur academy. I had some of the best years and experiences of my life for the best part of a decade, including tours to Spain, Italy, Latvia and France, before being released when I was fifteen years old. Simply put, I wasn’t good enough, I don’t like it when injuries are blamed when the real reason is that other kids wanted it more than me, I regret that now of course.
From there I joined Corinthian FC, winning back to back Ryman youth leagues and playing at Priestfield against Gillingham in the FA Youth Cup. Our team consisted of all the local lads who had been released at a similar time. I was in and around the first team from seventeen onwards until football politics and a job in estate agency working every Saturday meant I had to walk away.
WHERE DOES THE NAME "METRO MASSIVE' COME FROM AND WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND THE FORMATION OF THE NEW CLUB? WHERE HAVE THE SQUAD COME FROM?
Our friend group consists of seven lads who have known each other from the start of secondary school. We wanted somewhere better than the local cage to have a kick about in the off-season and so began playing on the pitches near to Metrogas FC which is the nearest recognisable team to where we all live. Our friend and What's App groups began to be called ‘Metro’ or the ‘The Metro Boys’ and it has stuck ever since.
I myself have had knee-relocation surgery this year as a result of many injuries I haven’t treated properly and this prompted me to set the team up as I still wanted to be involved in football despite not being able to play.
My Assistant Joe Ratcliffe helped a lot with finding players so I need to mention him. Most of the boys I have played alongside are still either professionals or working there way up the non-league ladder and so would not be interested. Joe really got down to business spreading the word on what we had going on and the fact that I’d be doing it and managed to get some very good players on board
WHAT IS YOUR AIM FOR THE TEAM OVER THE FIRST SEASON?
To challenge. Of course we all want to win every game, and I believe with the team we have built that is possible, however there is a lot of other factors that affect Sunday league to consider in respect of finances and player availability so my main aim is to stay competitive. Perhaps if we were part of an established, standard chartered club then I would be a bit stricter on myself, but then maybe I wouldn’t feel as passionately as I do about the upcoming season. If in a few season’s money is not a concern I would like to be mounting a challenge for the Premier Division
HOW CAN THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION IMPROVE SUNDAY LEAGUE FOOTBALL?
My lack of exposure doesn’t help me on this one, I’ve been used to free football most of my career. Based on this I would have to say finances. The cost for this season alone is extortionate. I keep hearing people referring to grants and schemes but I am yet to find one which doesn’t involve a women’s or disabled element; I, of course, don't believe men’s football is any more deserving. However I do believe they have replaced our funding with another rather than supplying both. I hope I can be corrected on this - so if anyone can point me in the right direction please contact me.
WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT SUNDAY FOOTY?
I could go on and on. The chance to build something yourself or with friends and see how far you can take it is special. Twitter is also a brilliant aid for Sunday football and shows the passion everyone still has for the beautiful game. The amount of fan pages, podcasts and general followers of Sunday football is incredible.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO GET A GAME ON AT THE BAYLISS AVENUE 4G PITCH THIS SEASON?
If we don’t manage to get our finances together before September we’ll be looking at well over £1,000 for the season. At the moment we have the option of a ten game block booking at £900, which I quietly think is very cheap when you consider council pitches are the same amount or more.
WHICH TEAM ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING THIS FORTHCOMING SEASON?
If I’m going by the constitution then I'll know much more after pre-season, as we host one or two teams from our league in friendly games. At this moment in time I’d have to say Blackfen & Erith. We’ve constantly been in talks with a few of their boys as Joe's cousin plays for them - whether they decide to come here or stay I predict a rivalry of sorts this season.
METRO MASSIVE PRE-SEASON FIXTURES
July 21st - Bexley FC
July 28th - Shirley Rose FC
August 4th - Mottingham Park Rangers
August 11th - Northern Eagles
August 18th - Woolwich Spartans
August 25th - Foots Cray Lions
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