English Football. Dead Duck?

A bitter disappointment not to have that sweet feeling of success and jubilation after England's match against Germany yesterday. So where does that leave English football if not even the mighty Wayne Rooney can walk the walk on the world cup stage.

Well read on.  Stories like these don't make headlines but local people take pride. Balham has it's very own, home grown football team who are, right now, delivering the results.

Balham Blazers, began in 2001 by Greg Cruttwell  are, as good as, sweeping the boards with cups, trophies as well as playing in top league positions.  I could end  there.  Local football team, does well, wins often.  But then, that wouldn't do the club or their story justice.

The roots of this ambitious club were laid when Greg, and some other dads, set up a small under 10 side, kicking around on Tooting Common in 2001. Fast forward nine years and there are now eight age groups teams, the oldest three all play in the A division of the Tandridge League.  The Blazers have all been incredibly high achieving to date, winning or being runners up in sixty-nine League and Cup competitions in their first eight seasons.

When you talk to Greg, you can feel the excitement and passion in his voice.  He knows exactly how he wants to play it and I believe him 100% when he says that his players get as much satisfaction from playing a beautiful game with great passing, than they do from scoring a goal. In other words, it's not all about harnessing the British bulldog spirit. That's not enough.  The club has a reputation for playing really good football.  Greg  tells me "I hate loosing.  I want to win everything. But we go into it looking at the bigger picture.  Just winning isn't everything.  Player and team development is important to us and playing fantastic football."

All the coaches support Greg's philosophy and passion for the Club. Even when they go off to develop their own careers, like Robin Shroot  from Birmingham City, they still come back and coach in the summer and personally sponsor the older players. 

And what about the players? They come to Balham Blazers from all over.  Their reach and reputation stretches from Kennington to Kent. Greg says "in our Club, there's every kind of kid from every culture. It's a language that can't be spoken.  Where else can you get boys from Dulwich College, mixing, with boys in care?"  Elsewhere these kids would be walking on different sides of the street.  

All of what I've said is backed up by the Parents who are lucky enough to get their kids through the trials.  Julian Eden, who's son Thomas plays for the U11's told me "The coaching is of a great standard, absolutely amazing and there's a good mix of kids from private and state schools and they all get along really well."

This is an exciting club on an exciting journey.  Greg's son is still playing for Balham Blazers now as an U18's about to enter a semi professional league.  Greg's aim is to make the Club the first South London Club playing at high level outside of Championship League, where currently there are none.       

Given the club's consistent success over their eight year rise.  I know he can pull it off.

Balham Blazers FC train at Chestnut Grove School on their 3g pitch.  If you want to find out more, visit the club's website.