GRENFELL ATHLETIC
This really should be the friendliest of friendlies. Two teams with a powerful off-field bond and masses of mutual respect, locking horns between a guard of honour and plethora of post-match presentations. You’d understand if the fixture itself had a testosterone-free testimonial feel. Even with loads of firemen playing.
But thankfully, real football kicks in pretty quickly. “They don’t want it, they don’t want it – HE DOESN’T WANT THAT BALL!” thunders Grenfell Athletic’s manager, Rupert Taylor, as his players hunt down a startled full-back. “HE. DOES. NOT. WANT. THAT.”
He’s not wrong, and it’s a compelling spectacle, like a pride of young lions picking off an antelope. That’s the key word, in fact: pride. Has any team wanted to win for their shirt more than this one?
The animated Taylor sets the tone, maintaining a great motivational bellow for the full 90 minutes, apart from occasional hugs for visiting well-wishers. His is a unique role, but the club he founded also benefits from a diverse array of enthusiasts: the celebrated gardener, the bashful former Premier League striker, the BRIT-nominated hip-hopper. And, most importantly of all, the people of – and affected by – Grenfell.
This team represents them. So Taylor takes it very seriously indeed.
“When we first started out, we wanted to create a legacy,” he says. “We will do that by any means necessary. I expect this team to be alive long after I’m dead.”
“PLAYING FOR GRENFELL IS A PRIVILEGE”
is in south-west London to see a match that means a great deal, featuring two of the most interesting amateur teams in the country. It’s the London Fire Brigade vs Grenfell Athletic, the finale of the latter’s recent UK tour of fire service outfits; a sort of footballing thank you if you will, with London an emotional farewell location
