Match Information
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SE Dons 1-0 Club Lewsey
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When: Sunday 22nd January 2023
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Kick-off: 2.30pm
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Where: King Henry Sports Centre, Ramsden Road, Erith, Kent DA8 3BU
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Competition: The FA Sunday Cup Fourth Round
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Attendance: 202
Interest in Sunday League football is literally booming these days. In fact, the common perception that fixtures are witnessed by “one man and his dog” is firmly consigned to the past.
This is all being driven by teams who have become known worldwide thanks to the massive impact of filming and broadcasting matches online.
One of the market leaders in this respect are SE Dons FC from South London. Established as recently as 2014, they have a staggering 227,000 YouTube subscribers with individual videos registering up to 1.7 million views.
Just to put things in context, those figures are more than many Premier League clubs can attract. SE Dons are proud of the burgeoning phenomenon whereby fans have cropped up in places like Brazil, Mexico and America.
Players get recognised simply walking down the street. Their team is funded by advertising on the videos as well as commercial partnerships and sponsorship deals. Thousands of replica shirts are also sold.
I have been really impressed by the Dons’ extremely slick matchday coverage. Up to six camera angles are utilised courtesy of several staff members forming an enthusiastic club media team.
There are two to three main cameras plus a drone flying overhead and two GoPro recorders set up behind the goals. A very distinctive commentary is added to complete this exciting package.
There are links to the music scene too as one of the club’s co-founders is Rap/Grime artist Don Strapzy. The overall buzz created has led to numerous top professional footballers such as Declan Rice, Junior Stanislas, Josh Koroma and Bradley Dack going along to see the Dons play.
In addition, the YouTube revolution is gaining further momentum since a new capital city “Super League” was launched this season called the ‘Sunday Football League – London’.
Member teams combined (including SE Dons) have approaching one million followers and subscribers over the different internet platforms. In my opinion, initiatives bringing new awareness for grassroots football are definitely admirable.
Therefore, Sunday League action is now both accessible and relatable. So with everything in mind, I set off on a 120 mile round trip to watch my chosen FA Sunday Cup tie. Incidentally, this fantastic national knockout competition dates back to 1964.
Ground Description
A 3G artificial pitch surrounded by high wire fencing. Access is via the main King Henry Sports Centre building. FA Sunday Cup spectators stood tight around the playing area touchlines which were coned off on one side.
The Match
A thoroughly tense affair featuring robust tackles flying in from multiple directions. The football standard itself was very good comprising of rapid end to end exchanges.
uton-based visitors Club Lewsey FC from the Leighton District Sunday League more than played their part. Most of the Dons’ squad appear in the Isthmian League on Saturdays as semi-professionals.
Arsenal youth academy product Zak Ansah scored the only goal on 46 minutes finishing off intrepid quicksilver passing. This caused a huge, prolonged howl of celebration from the home fans that lasted almost 60 seconds.
The last time I heard such totally unique noise was at Sunderland FC’s old Roker Park stadium during the late 1970’s (the famous ‘Roker Roar’).
As the game progressed and Club Lewsey determinedly pushed for an equaliser, I enjoyed two stunning saves by six foot six inch Dons keeper George Kamurasi who had “Big G” displayed on the back of his shirt.
The People
A lovely family feel existed amongst the young and vibrant SE Dons crowd. I counted more than 200 people present. Indeed, some supporters had travelled long distances to cheer on the team.
There were repeated cries of stirring club motto: “ANYTHING for the Dons!” Then when Zak Ansah scored, the home faithful burst into jubilant song with: “One-Nil to the London boys!” and “Green Army…Green Army…” ringing out.
Footnote:
SE Dons will now travel to North London to face last year’s beaten finalists Highgate Albion FC in the FA Sunday Cup Fifth Round on Sunday 19th February 2023.
*Credit for photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 31st January 2023
