Clubs to watch : United Amateurs FC & Grand Sports Club
How many grassroots football clubs do you know?
How much do you know about them?
Here are some fun facts you may not have known before today!
United Amateurs FC
United Amateurs FC was founded in 2006 and play in the Essex Sunday Corinthian Football League. They club runs two adult teams and the open-age team gained promotion after finishing second while scoring more than 100 goals. They also won four league titles with different youth age groups last season.
#WINNING MENTALITY
The Amateurs claimed the JP8 Charity Cup in the 2021/22 season, winning on penalties after a 3:3 draw during normal time. This success and mentality comes from the strong bond behind the scenes as the club is run by a family. Every member volunteers as a coach, first aider, manager, secretary, or video manager across the club's various teams.
#UP THE RANKS
The club's top goal scorer - currently 20 and playing as a midfielder - has bagged a record 464 goals - since joining the team as an U-9 player and moving up the club's ranks. His father Thomas, playing as a striker, has scored 175, while his other son is closing upon Thomas with 167. The chemistry and bond between the players is one thing, but the development of players proven as a club and coach is notable - as growth at a young age is ever so important.
#ASPIRATIONS & PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
The Amateurs' boast structured midweek training sessions and a disciplined yet enjoyable atmosphere. They continue to grow their club and are on the outlook for committed goalkeepers, strikers, and defenders - those with the attitude to grow together with the team. The club aspires to play exciting, attacking football with a strong winning mentality - to finish the season as champions of all!
#RIVALRY
Singh Sabha Barking FC, founded in 1969, and Ainslie FC, founded in 2014, are United Amateurs' two biggest rivals, with the former pipping the Amateurs to the title in the 2021/22 season and the latter always proving to be a challenge in every clash.
Grand Sports Football
Grand Sports Football, a community football team based in Gravesend and initiated in 2014 before being established in 2015, competes in the Rochester & District League and is affiliated to Grand Sports Club
#A Healthy Initiative
In 2014, Ravinder 'Rav' Marwaha began "Back 2 Football" sessions at the Grand Healthy Living Centre in 2014, curated to help local men get more active and healthy - with football being one of the mediums. After a year, one of the participants suggested the idea of starting a football club - hence the birth of FC Grand, which joined the Rochester & District League.
#No Complaints
80% of the squad had never played competitive football before when FC Grand was founded in 2015. Players understood that they were going to lose games, and it was always about preventing players from getting on other player's backs - to keep their heads high together and carry on as a team. Everyone stayed positive as there were always also wins from the losses.
#Fast Growth
After adjusted to grassroots football for several years, FC Grand reached the final of Centenary Cup Group C, facing Chatham Town Athletic and winning the Club's first ever silverware. The Club was rebranded as Grand Sports Club in 2020 during the COVID pandemic with the vision of integrating of other sports such as basketball under the Grand Sports name.
#More Silverware
GSC added more trophies to their hall of honour during an excellent 2021/22 season - they grasped the Kent County Cup C as well as the Rochester & District League Division 3 title, losing only one game in their title run.
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