David O’Driscoll on what to expect from Walthamstow FC’s new season
The depressing nature of men’s professional football was evidenced by the ridiculous World Club Championship, held over the summer.
It was a prime example of relentless money obsession by FIFA, who, like the clubs participating, made eye-watering sums from this event with very little of this cash filtering down to the grassroots level.
It was heartening to read then that attendances at non-league games are now at an all-time high, with supporters getting behind teams that offer affordable football.
This is in an era where to see one of the big Premier League teams dotted around our capital city, you are looking at up to £120 for a ticket for the top matches, for which, dear reader, you can get a season ticket at Walthamstow FC (and if you are a public sector worker, it’s even cheaper).
Walthamstow FC vice chairman, Andrea Perkins, rightfully says: “Non-league games deliver an atmosphere that feels genuine. There’s no corporate gloss, no overbearing stewards, and no sterile concourses. Instead, fans are pitch side with their pies and pints, sharing jokes with the coaching staff.”
Starting a new season is no easy matter; Stow has recruited a lot of players and the task is now to find the elusive team mix. It’s been good to have captain Reece Conway back on the pitch and a special shout out must go to Joe Elliot with his extraordinary long throw, who is worth paying an entrance fee to see alone.
I have also been impressed with two younger players, Max Brownsdon, a cultured left-footed centre back, who scored a cracking overhead kick in the FA Cup, and Gassem Benghazi, a tenaciously skilful midfielder.
Walthamstow are still in the Isthmian North League, featuring teams from the south east of England. It is considered a strong league, so it will be a challenge to make the playoffs, but it’s clearly where the club should be aiming.
They have some intriguing matches in their fixture list, including local derbies against Redbridge and Waltham Abbey. Among the away fixtures, a curious one will be visiting Stanway Rovers, in the Colchester region, which has a butcher’s shop that supplies the club’s burger bar.
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