Playing Football (soccer) in London

Anyone know anything about playing football in London? Are there any nonprofessional leagues that one can play in? I plan on living in London next year and hope to keep fit for when I return to the USA. Is 4th division pretty competitive to play in? Does it involve contracts? Are the players paid, or do they pay to be on the team?  I don't know how to describe my skill level, but any info anyone has about playing at any level would be greatly appreciated.

Hooo boy...

There are loads of places to play but there are a few pit falls that you should be warned about - at least that is what to expect in Leicester, I can't imagine it's very different in London.

Most adult teams have been together since they were 2 and are very unaccepting of newcomers.  That said, if they need a player, they will let you play, and may even accept you on their team, but you will not be guaranteed playing time, even if your skills are better and you play your guts out more than any other player on the team. 

Recreational soccer, is not about progressing - it is about beating the sh*t out each other on the pitch each sunday morning.  It is really, really different from US rec soccer.    And they will beat the sh*t out of you because you are dealing mostly with lads who probably smoke and drink way too much and don't have (or have never had) the skills to keep up.  They will take you out just because they can - I recently saw an ex-Nottingham forest player's knees that have been destroyed from Sunday league, case-in-point,  as well, DH's injuries playing Sunday league, neither are isolated incidences.

You will also have to face the prejudice of being from a non-football playing nation (I know, I know...  football is #1 participation sport in the US, but england just doesn't see it that way.)

I really, really hope I'm wrong and that you will find a place to play, but basically, if you can avoid Sunday league and get into a different kind of team (we're just learning that there are ways around the basic thug football and there are those who appreciate the beautiful aspect of the game) then the better off you will be.   It may not be in the form of formal games though, you have to think outside of the box a bit.  it is available, just not in the form you expect.

   

There are tons of places in London, and I would be happy to point you in the right direction when you get here.  I have friends who play for an amateur side (Saturday league) in Barnet, in North London, another friend who plays in Brentford (not *for* Brentford, I hasten to add!), and another friend who plays in a Sunday league in Chiswick. 

This is the club my mates play for http://www.ebog.co.uk/

From what I understand from the lads, it is as much about the social as the footy, but the Saturday boys take it pretty seriously.  They do accept newcomers, and my friend is Captain of his side and has no qualms about dropping school friends, or even himself, if someone better comes along!  And, assuming you start of in the sevens, if you are that good then you will progress up to the sixths, the fifths etc.

The games are refereed properly, so if you hack people down, you get sent off, and if you do it continuously, you get axed from the club (I have known this happen).

None of the lads I know who play football on a Saturday smoke.  And they are all lovely, lovely guys, and don't go around beating the sh1t out of each other or anyone else.

The 'prejudice' you will face because you are American will probably be in the form of amused, light hearted mocking.

Mrs P...you have had a *really bad* experience...this is not the norm!!!


Vicky

Mrs P...you have had a *really bad* experience...this is not the norm!!!

Vicky, I am so glad to hear this..  we're currently dealing with division one for my son here in Leicestershire and sadly, they teach them young (u-12) how to play like hooligans.  I was really hoping London would be more with it so I'm relieved to hear it (really, really relieved...  I need to know that there are good football people out there because here, they are few and far between, although we're starting to find some who share our philosophy)

There are tons of places in London, and I would be happy to point you in the right direction when you get here.  I have friends who play for an amateur side (Saturday league) in Barnet, in North London, another friend who plays in Brentford (not *for* Brentford, I hasten to add!), and another friend who plays in a Sunday league in Chiswick. 

This is the club my mates play for http://www.ebog.co.uk/

From what I understand from the lads, it is as much about the social as the footy, but the Saturday boys take it pretty seriously.  They do accept newcomers, and my friend is Captain of his side and has no qualms about dropping school friends, or even himself, if someone better comes along!  And, assuming you start of in the sevens, if you are that good then you will progress up to the sixths, the fifths etc.


Vicky

From your post it sounds like your mates are the ones who will know this, but do you happen to know how & when I would try out? I'm thinking that it'd probablly be a good idea to look and try out for many kinds of teams in case I'm not good enough for some of them. And what does sevens, sixths, fifths mean? Oh, and I realized that I didn't mention that I am going to just have graduated from high school here so if age matters there might be a problem. Thanks for the help!

so you're just a young lad then...  may be easier as a lot of kids your age are going off to Uni and the teams need spaces filled.  That's how DH got on his team except he's a 40 year old, running around with a bunch of 18 year olds - and in some cases, he's fitter.  Scary.

As far as I know EBOGS (just one example, I know) take players from all ages, and the way to try out is to just contact them and ask them.

The first team is obviously the best team that the club have, then you have the second team, the third team, the fourth team etc.  My mates are all crap, but enthusiastic, so they play in the sixths and the sevenths (though I believe one got to the fifths once!).  Basically, regardless of your ability, you are likely to find something that suits you.

Vicky

Thanks for the info MrsPink and VictoriaS I've checked out the website, and will be contacting EBOG soon. I'm still looking for information if anyone else has some. Does anyone know any other leagues besides the SAL that EBOG is in? Also, I'm not sure when I'll go to England, but I want to make sure I get there in time for the beginning of the season. If  anyone has tips for when to show up or how to find a team once I'm there that's good for my skill level I'd really appreciate it.

http://www.thepyramid.info/

This is the website for the non-league pyramid.

Every area in the UK has an amateur footy leage, both Saturday and Sunday leagues, pub leagues, you name it.  Just google the area you are in, call them, and turn up for a trial.

Vicky

http://www.thepyramid.info/

This is the website for the non-league pyramid.

Every area in the UK has an amateur footy leage, both Saturday and Sunday leagues, pub leagues, you name it.  Just google the area you are in, call them, and turn up for a trial.

Vicky

Not to burst the bubble, but it won't be as easy as turning up for a trial.  The English are wary of people they don't know, particularly North American players.  You may find a place to play for a kick and a laugh but if you're looking for something more than that, you would be advised to look for contacts on the US end and have them set something up for you. 

It has taken 1.5 seasons to get my son settled in a Sunday league and we're finally making inroads into the academies.  Had we had an itroduction from someone in North America with contacts in the UK, we would have had a much easier time.

The problems we have faced, we've come to know are exactly the norm.  The FA sees it as a huge problem in player development.  If you find something other than that, then it will be a surprise. 

Football in the UK is essentially run by meat-heads.  It is not the educated class like in North America.  Be prepared for that.. 

I'm not going to say anymore but if you want more information, pit falls to avoid etc..  PM me.  We've hit most of them.  I would just hate to see you come over specifically to play and find it to be a miserable experience.  It was one of the most deflating experiences of our lives to find that the country who boasts the best  professional league in the world has some of the worst player development in the world.  It is different than the US.  Be prepared for that. 

That said, we have now found a place for our son to play that is fantastic.  The manager is not a meat-head at all.  We've also started our own development squad under the banner of the Brasilian Soccer Schools for kids who, like our son, are not getting playing time because of meat-head managers.  Demand for the squad is high...