Veteran footballers from across the borough took part in a lively six‐a‐side tournament at Douglas Eyre Sports Centre earlier this month, writes David O’Driscoll
The world is now enthralled watching what is generally considered one of the world’s greatest sporting events, the World Cup.
But a world away from that tournament was a recent football event in Walthamstow which was very much focused on bringing football back to its basics; straightforward competitive fun.
The first Coppermill Cup was held at the Douglas Eyre Sports Centre on Saturday, 2nd June. This tournament featured over 140 footballers in the veterans category (age 35 and up).
It was a six-a-side competition and there were 16 teams, the majority of whom were from local areas in addition to a guest team from Portugal who were particularly unlucky as they reached the semi-final without conceding a goal but were knocked out on penalties.
The format for the day was similar to the World Cup, with groups of four battling it out for a place in the knock-out rounds. The games were very short, sharp and competitive and the teams were held in check by four local lads who had recently completed refereeing qualifications and did a sterling job.
The main competition was won by City of London Vets while the ‘losers plate’ (a side tournament played between the teams that didn’t make it out of the group stage) was won by local side Coppermill Swifts who had been the main organising force behind the initiative.
Participants are already enthused and excited about next year’s event, and it provided an antidote from the rampant commercialisation and monopoly of the World Cup.
Local news needs your support
We are proud that we were at the forefront of reporting on the recent local elections. We can’t do this without the support of our readers.
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
ACT NOW!
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations
