FOOTBALL VETERANS BID FAREWELL TO TEDDINGTON AFTER 34 YEARS…….
tour of Portugal,
A local Teddington football team that has played EVERY Tuesday for the last THIRTY FOUR YEARS is preparing to mark the end of an era with a special celebration. That’s 1768 games…..
The team, which brought together players in their teens right up until their 60s, is moving grounds after more than three decades at Teddington School.
Its final game at the ground will be celebrated with past and present players coming together to recognise a remarkable sporting and community tradition on 25 August.
They hope to continue with their matches on pitches at St Mary’s University in Twickenham.
It all began 34 years ago as a competitive Tuesday-night football game but developed into something much bigger — a long-standing friendship group that has survived changing times, generations of players and the inevitable injuries and challenges that come with getting older.
Remarkably, some of the original players are still taking to the pitch today.
Over the years, more than 300 players have been involved, with players coming from a wide range of backgrounds, including police detectives, former Royal Marines, tradespeople, authors and many others.
Perhaps the most special part of the story is the generations involved.
Fathers who played when the team first started are now playing alongside their sons, some of whom were not even born when the Tuesday-night tradition began.
Players have ranged in age from around 16 to 65, creating a unique mixture of generations and friendships.
The football may have changed over the years, but the friendships have remained.
Many of the players have also continued playing despite serious injuries, illness and the inevitable aches and pains that come with decades of playing football.
The final match at Teddington will therefore be much more than a football fixture.
Past players are being invited back for a special celebration to remember the people, games, characters and friendships that have made the Tuesday-night football tradition so special.
The organisers are hoping to capture photographs and memories from across the 34 years, creating a lasting record of a group that has remained together through three decades of change.
One of the organisers said:”It has never really just been about football. We started playing every Tuesday 34 years ago and somehow the tradition has continued. People have come and gone, but the friendships have remained.
“Some of the original players are still playing, and now we have fathers playing with their sons. That is what makes it so special.
“We wanted to mark the final game at Teddington properly and give everyone who has been part of it over the years the chance to come back, have a game, share some stories and celebrate what we have created together.”
The celebration will take place on 25 August, coinciding with the team’s final game at Teddington School.
Past players are being encouraged to return, whether they are able to play or simply want to watch, catch up with old friends and be part of the occasion.
Long-serving player Richard Moss told Teddington Town about the origins of the team.
“The origins of The Tuesday Night Football at Teddington School start way back in the Mid 70’s when 5 football mad Aberdonians moved south into a shared house in Twickenham. One of the guys worked for London Transport and subsequently the whole house ended up playing for one of London Transport’s football teams – Aldwych Angels – funnily enough based in Aldwych Islington
“As time went on people moved in and out of the house but any new members HAD to be decent footballers.
“The Twickenham House Diaspora gradually spread out across SW London and Surrey but always kept a close bond.
“So close that to this day every first Monday in the month we still meet up in a pub in Surbiton and every summer we have a get together in Covent Garden when ex-members from as far away as Australia and the Czech Republic fly in for the reunion.
“By the early 90’s when the demands of family and age meant that we could no longer play for LT we started looking for other ways to keep the gang together and active.
“Some of the diaspora started attending circuit training in Esher and that is where we first met Paul Morris.
“In the summer of 1992 we organised a tennis tournament at Teddington School.
“Whilst there we saw some 5 aside pitches and subsequently booked one for the following Tuesday ……. and we have been there every Tuesday for the last 34 years.
“Of the original players only Paul Morris and I are still playing. We estimate that over 150 players have spent time with us over the years ranging in age from from 16 to 72.
“We’ve had everyone from plasterers to CEO’s, actors to investment bankers, artists to archaeologist’s, mechanics to solicitors, police constables to police detectives, electricians to civil engineers, quantity surveyors and accountants and Royal Marines.
“We even had the Milk Tray advert actor for a few years. Some have done one game, some 20+ years.
“There has been fathers and sons and even grandfathers, fathers and sons. Everyone is welcome no matter what the skill level.
“In the early days it was extremely competitive and there was a brief period when we had to draw lots for teams to calm things down – the tackle from behind was still legal !!
“But no matter how competitive the game, after the final whistle it’s off to the pub for the craic. It’s been that way for 34 years. Long may it continue in our new home.”
IF YOU HAVE A HUMAN INTEREST STORY YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE PLEASE SEND TO contact@teddingtontown.co.uk