Home  Authors  Categories  Recent Posts  Archives  Subscribe to the Den
Signing up to UKFF can seriously change your life
May 13th 2009 by Mystical Mike

Dot com minnows seeing stars cherry-picked

Battersea Ironsides GSA, an amateur side signed off the internet, are losing talented players to the Premier League just a year after being formed.

Plying their trade in the amateur leagues of the Southern Counties Division One, the Wandsworth-based outfit have already lost one player to the Premier League, one to the Championship, a player to League Two and one to non-league, just a year after recruiting them straight off a barely-known internet website.

Effectively 14 divisions below the cash-rich top-flight, Battersea’s staggering progress has been aided by their affiliation with grass-roots football website, UK Football Finder.

Manager Maddy Ewemade signed no fewer than 12 players from the website, which aims at helping amateur clubs and players find players and clubs alike, as well as securing a lucrative shirt sponsorship deal from the website.

“We’ve achieved a lot so far and a great deal of thanks must go to UK Football Finder for helping us find players and for the sponsorship,” he said. “If anything, we are now becoming victims of our own success, and we’re losing players because of the new opportunities that are coming their way.”

The Ironsides, all under-25, shot to the top of the league following a succession of five-goal victories last November, but their success has come at a cost.

Captain Hawell Awotwe joined Conference South strugglers Fisher Athletic and went straight into their first-team, goalkeeper Sam Freeman fled for trials at QPR, striking sensation Jean Pedro de Silva left for Brazilian third division side Olaria, and midfield star Abdul Isaak, just 15, joined Bolton Wanderers’ youth academy.

And others have followed suit, one player trialing with Manchester City, one with Yeovil, and highly-rated midfielder Lee Nakamota receiving attention from QPR and Bristol City.

“I’ve been impressed with the team since day one,” said website creator. “They are a talented team with some brilliant players, but they are still a new team in a tough division. “A lot of the young guys brought in from the site are very ambitious,” added Ewemade.

“They are looking to push themselves towards semi-professional, maybe even professional football. We’ve had some top players here already. De Silva is a top player who is easily capable of playing in League Two and Isaak can go right to the top if he gets the right coaching.”

Having enjoyed a successful run to the semi-finals of the league cup, Battersea now find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle.

And with new quality hard to come by, Ewemade will be hoping that he can cast his web wide again as his side bids for a brighter future.

“We’re fighting for our lives but we’ve got a determined bunch of lads here and I am confident we will be successful in years to come,” he said.

Tags: , , , ,

  Subscribe in a reader
«
»
  1. Daveyboy Says:
    May 14th, 2009 at 10:28 am

    Although not to the same standard of football, our sunday league team has benefited form UKFF as we have found 5 or 6 of our current squad.

    Hopefully we will have an even more succesful season next year.

    Keep up the good work UKFF

  2. James Says:
    May 26th, 2009 at 6:04 pm

    Quality site, we signed 4 players and ended up winning the league. cheers

  3. Salvatore Maisano Says:
    May 31st, 2009 at 9:22 am

    Hi I am prof. football player i played many years for Italy. Now im in London and looking for a team. Do you think you could help me? My cv is available on request.
    If you have any advice let me know please..
    Looking forward to hear from you
    Salvatore

  4. junior loufimpou Says:
    July 12th, 2009 at 5:48 pm

    iam 15 and i play for collier row i love playing for my team but i really want to make it because its my dream to become a footballer and i really need some help becuase collier row is a very nice team they help me alot but now iam looking for academies and iam looking to go harder and im training alot please if you can send scouts if you can to help me thank you very much apraited

  5. HAGI Says:
    July 23rd, 2009 at 11:52 am

    im 21 and im come from finland but im orginally iranian and i live in uk at the moment and i bet im better than any of those guys in ur team wanna give me chance to show you guys real skill and speed ?

    REGARDS E HAGI

  6. Christopher J Says:
    July 23rd, 2009 at 9:00 pm

    hey my name is Christopher and im 15 years old almost 16 i live in london,i got in a team couple of years ago didnt realy play with them i payed for the card but i dont know what happened but i didnt get it and now im realy looking for a club to focus on my career as a footballer thank you.

  7. junior loufimpou Says:
    August 2nd, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    15 almost 16 in a few mounths and really want to be scouted
    name ; junior loufimou

  8. Shipon miah Says:
    August 11th, 2009 at 11:26 pm

    I am looking for Under 16 players in all position to play in the upcoming South East London and Kent league. All players welcome for a trial session as only 18 will get selected.

    The plan is also to play this team next year in the GOTHIA CUP 2010. Gothia cup is renown as the Youth World Cup by many and is the highest level tournament for any youth teams.

    Trials will be held at Bartlett Park, London E14 on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th August 2009 and selected players will be notified hopefully in the following weekend.

    All players not selected will have the option to play for the Soul Youth FC ‘B’ team in the SNC youth league.

    For any further details please contact Shipon on 07852677055.

  9. Asante Says:
    August 15th, 2009 at 4:18 pm

    Players good standard wanted for south birmingham side.call brian ferris on 01217494810.

  10. Grant Cunningham Says:
    August 24th, 2009 at 5:12 am

    Hi there,
    I am 18
    play currently at a top club in the welsh division 1 club
    but are looking to move onto the next level
    I’ve had attention from Merthyr 1sts
    but I’m really keen to appear or have the chance to at an
    English league club at pro level
    if anyone can help please get in contact
    many thanks

  11. Mathew Howden Says:
    August 26th, 2009 at 2:53 am

    Hi, Iam Mathew Howden, I am 21 and currently play in th York Leeper Hare League for Selby RSSC and York Sunday Morning League for Selby Olympia WMC.

    I consider myself to be a good player, although I am not big headed, who likes to graft in the centre of midfield. I can sit back and hold but can also get up and support the strikers whether it be assisting or scoring. I am great in the air for my size (5′7 and 12st).

    Although I am happy where I am, I would love the challenge of something bigger and believe if given the chance then I would succeed. If you would like to take a chance on me then e-mail me at howden501@hotmail.co.uk.

    Thanks

  12. Mark Coyne Says:
    October 19th, 2009 at 5:45 pm

    My name is Mark Coyne, I am 23 years old and Iv recently moved to the Lancashire area to be with my girlfriend and my daughter.

    I am currently playing for Plikington XXX in the mindland combination premiere at a semi-pro level but looking for a new club at either the same level or higher. I play center midfield or attacking midfielder.

    My number is 07837376988 and email is coyney831986@hotmail.co.uk, if anyone is interested in taking me on. Thanks.

  13. nick bennion Says:
    January 5th, 2010 at 4:45 pm

    hello my name is nick im a 21 year old 6″4 centre half / goal keeper i have been playing in the zammorta league but i have played at rushden diamonds,

    looking to play even higher than i am at the mo

    thanks very much

    can email me at nbennion@hotmail.co.uk

  14. jamie whittaker Says:
    January 19th, 2010 at 6:11 pm

    Hi my name is jamie I am 19 years old. I currently play at surrey intermediate level but have played higher and am looking to do so again. My best position is centre mid but I can play in any position. you can email me at jamie-whittaker@hotmail.co.uk

  15. ashley Says:
    January 20th, 2010 at 3:09 pm

    hi my name is ashley i am 21 i am not currently playing for anyone at the moment, and i dont want my best ability of playing football go to waste. i have got a good left foot and play left or right wing. you can email me at flashley1988@hotmail.co.uk

    much appreciated.

  16. Jeremy Says:
    January 22nd, 2010 at 4:19 pm

    I am 19, been playing since I was 15. When i lived in Norwich I played lots of leagues and tournaments for under 9’s – 14’s. I then moved up the North Yorkshire and play once a week in a 6 side team in Thirsk. I want to promote myself to an 11 a side team which are serious about football and are passionate about the game.
    Can play any day/night and i am very commited to any football team that may want me. I can drive and own my own car so travel is not an issue. Thanks.

  17. Jeremy Says:
    January 22nd, 2010 at 10:45 pm

    I meant 5 not 15!

  18. kenny Says:
    February 3rd, 2010 at 5:54 pm

    I am 23yrs had lots of football experiance played in many 6 aside teams also 11 aside won mant league titles also cups but not played recently just bin training to get fitness back travelling is not a problem. thanks.

Leave a Reply