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[tejman7]

Portfolio work by Olateju Awosika

Sunday League Football: Hartford Athletic, Kamal Fruci-Oduah's, and Thomas Watson's careers at Hartford Athletic

Hartford Athletic crest

Hartford Athletic is a Sunday League Football Club in the Woolwich and Eltham Sunday Football Alliance. They play in the King of Hearts Media Productions Division One league and at the VCD Athletic Club and they have a Twitter account and an Instagram account on social media.

Woolwich & Eltham Sunday Football Alliance

King of Hearts Media Productions Division One League table

Hartford Athletic playing at VCD Athletic Club on Matchday against Abbeymead

@HartfordAthFC

@hartfordathfc

Hartford Athletic Player-Manager Kamal Fruci-Oduah

Kamal Fruci-Oduah’s career as a player-manager for Hartford Athletic started in 2022, he has been at the club for the last two and a half seasons and is going into his third season, hopefully looking to win some silverware.

Kamal Fruci-Oduah and his players with the King of Hearts Media SportsKing Cup

Playing for this Sunday League Football club means a lot to him. He started the club with some friends from secondary school and others he met along the way. He has a personal connection to the team, and it would be upsetting for him if he ever had to leave. What he loves about playing for the club is that they are a family and a team rolled into one and win, lose, or draw they are always happy. Like any other football team, there are sometimes arguments and clashing of heads but at the end of the day they are all teammates who are there to do a job and support each other to get a win which feels good.

Kamal Fruci-Oduah and his players all celebrating after winning against Abbeymead

One of his characteristics as a player is his intelligence. Even though he’s not the fastest, strongest, or best player on the team he can sometimes read the game better, make the correct decisions which leads to positive contributions to the game. His attributes are the same as any other member of the team but he knows his contributions are slightly different. Scoring, assisting, and defending when each opportunity presents itself.  It’s a mixture of everything.

Kamal Fruci-Oduah playing in goal for Hartford Athletic taken by Olateju Awosika

🗣️Fruci-Oduah: “So I have been at Hartford Athletic for the last two and a half seasons. So we started the team back in 2022 now we are going into our third season and hopefully looking to win some silverware. This Sunday League Football Club means a lot to me you know this is the team I started with my friends from secondary school and with friends I met along the way so yeah this team has a personal touch to me personal connection I would be upset if I ever were to leave this team. I guess what I love about Hartford Athletic is we are a family and a team you know even if we win, lose, or draw we are always happy you know sometimes we argue sometimes we clash heads but we are men, but at the end of the day we are here to do a job we are here to support each other and get a win and it’s a good feeling. I think it would have to be intelligence I am not the fastest, I am not the strongest, I am not the best player sometimes I can read the game a bit better make the correct decisions in the correct places, and it all leads to positive contributions to the team. Yeah, so I mean like I said not the best player, not the fastest, not the strongest but I know I can contribute to the team in different ways if I have got the opportunity to score I will score if I have the opportunity to assist, assist and if I have to defend I will do that to so yeah mixture of everything really.” [@HartfordAthFC] #HATH

Kamal Fruci-Oduah's post-match interview

Hartford Athletic Captain Thomas Watson

Thomas Watson’s journey to becoming the Captain of Hartford Athletic started two seasons ago. He has been playing for three seasons and only took over from his teammate Chris who was the captain in the first season and is now his Vice Captain. He was given the captaincy in his second season because he was playing more games.

Thomas Watson's appearances and statistics for Hartford Athletic

His teammates are his friends and wouldn't want to play football with anyone else.

Thomas Watson with his teammates and friends

For him, playing football is purely about enjoyment. He used to play on Saturdays but because of his job no longer does and only plays Sunday league. He is happy to shoulder the responsibility which comes with being the captain. He feels that, as the captain, the responsibility and criticisms of team performance should be his.  He likes organising the team and loves being the voice on the pitch. His manager Kamal is the voice off the pitch and does a great job leading the team.  

Video of Thomas Watson and his teammates all receiving their medals and him lifting the King of Hearts Media SportsKing Cup taken by Olateju Awosika

One of his attributes as captain is firstly his leadership which he loves.  He is able to give directions during the match which often requires him to shout. As a defender, he can see the whole game in front of him apart from obviously the goalkeeper, and from that position, he can direct his teammates and get the best out of them. He says one of his attributes is his ability to read the game quite well. He plays at quite a decent level and sometimes feels the game is quite slow. Even though he didn’t play at his best today, he would say that reading the game is his number one characteristic and being able to play the ball into the player's feet and start attacks from the back are his two main strengths.

Thomas Watson playing against Abbeymead on Matchday

🗣️Watson: “So this is my second season as the captain of Hartford, first season, we have played three seasons erm the first season Chris who was the captain who is now my vice-captain erm but because I was playing more games they gave it to me in the second season so now I have played all of the second season as captain so that’s the first season and this season being my second season as captain. Ah, these guys are my friends like I wouldn’t want to play football with anyone else erm for me playing football now is more about enjoyment rather than playing seriously I have stopped playing Saturday Football which is more serious because of my job, and then Sundays, I just do it purely for the enjoyment of the game and I Iove playing football with my teammates. I think a lot of the responsibility comes onto me if we lose I like to take the responsibility myself rather than letting other people take criticism I am more than happy to take criticism myself erm again like organising the team  I love organising the team, I love being the voice on the pitch whereas obviously, the gaffer Kamal is the voice off the pitch I like to be the voice on the pitch erm and yeah just leading my teammates leading my friends through games that we can win and lose like it’s great doing it. As a captain, I said my leadership erm being a defender I can see the whole game in front of me apart from obviously the goalkeeper I think I could put people into shape quite well and really get the best out of players perhaps sometimes I shout too much but for me just the leadership side of things I love doing it. Err as a Sunday League Footballer probably again reading the game probably because I play at quite a decent level I read the game quite well and sometimes I feel the game is quite slow and saying that I didn’t play very well today but reading the game is definitely my number one characteristic and then just being able to play into players, into players feet, being able to start attacks from the back and yeah that's they are my two sort of main strengths.” [@HartfordAthFC] #HATH

Thomas Watson's post-match interview

[tejman7]

The Sunday League experience at Hartford Athletic Football Club

One of the most exceptional characteristics of Sunday League Football is the way it is able to include different kinds of people. Regardless of how skilled or experienced they may or may not be, anyone can take part and add to the success of their team. It is not unusual for beginners and youngsters to be guided by accomplished players. They share their expertise and help build their talent. The locations where Sunday league matches are played range from local pitches dedicated to playing football,  to public parks that can serve as temporary football fields during the weekend. These simple settings are the scenes where players fight it out with pure determination in conditions which are sometimes not ideal for playing matches. The Sunday League football atmosphere is different and special. The spectators are made up of the player, family members, friends, and other teammates who are usually on the sidelines cheering on the players. This adds to the electric atmosphere. The sense of belonging and closeness is enhanced by the cheering and sometimes friendly bickering that represents grassroots football.

I had the opportunity of observing a training session and also a match at Hartford Athletic Football Club. Despite there being poor weather, on a rainy Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., I was able to watch what one of their training sessions involved.   It lasted two hours, the players did a warm-up and a passing drill and also had a training match. During the training match at Hartford Athletic Football Club, they first of all, played a game of one-touch and two-touch then they play a normal 11-a-side match. The manager and the assistant manager were giving instructions to the players and were taking part in the game.  It was quite interesting to watch the managers give training instructions whilst playing as part of the team.

Here is an audio clip of me talking about my experience at Hartford Athletic Football Club

Here is a poll about playing one-touch or two-touch in training sessions in Sunday League Football

Between the training session and the training match, I was able to carry out one interview with the manager who also plays in the centre-back position Kamal Fruci Oduah. I asked him questions about how long he has been at Hartford Athletic Football Club, what it is like playing for the club and his best trait as a footballer. I asked if he plays Sunday League Football to get recognised by scouts, and how long he has been the manager of Hartford Athletic Football Club. He told me he has been playing for the club for two seasons and his best trait as a footballer is intelligence, he enjoys playing for Hartford Athletic Football Club but it is challenging. He doesn’t play Sunday League Football to get recognised by scouts he plays for fun with his teammates and he has been the manager for two years.

Here is the video of me interviewing the manager and centre-back of Hartford Athletic Football Club Kamal-Fruci Oduah asking him questions about what it is like for him is playing for Hartford Athletic Football club and being the manager of Hartford Athletic Football Club

I was invited to come back to watch a match between Hartford Athletic Football Club and Barnehurst Football Club. Watching Sunday League Football at Hartford Athletic Football Club is not just watching a football match from the side-line you get to see the Hartford Athletic Football Club manager giving more than one team talk and listen to how he wants his team to play against the opposition also how he wants his team set up. Another thing about Sunday League Football at Hartford Athletic Football Club is that it is not just about playing football. As a team, the players build good camaraderie with teammates and the manager on and off the pitch and have a  great time with each other. During the match at one point, because the manager and the assistant manager of Barnehurst Football Club felt that decisions were not going their way they started insulting the referee. The match ended 4-3 to Hartford Athletic Football Club.

Here is a poll asking whether you agree or disagree with referees being insulted whilst officiating Sunday League Football matches

Should referees receive abuse from footballers and the Manager from the opposition?

Yes

No

Are team talks from managers and friendships in Sunday League Football a good thing?

Yes

No

After the match, I went with the team down to the pub to have something to eat and drink, the manager was doing some match analysis. He talked to the team about how the match went, what they did well during the match,  what they could do differently, any lessons learned, and also what the next practice session would involve. All this whilst trying to watch a football match.  There was a lot of banter with Barnehurst team who had gone along with us to the pub. The atmosphere in the pub was good and everyone got along with each other despite their defeat against Hartford Athletic. They were making fun and having a good laugh and it was nice to see.

Sunday League Football includes the fundamental elements of grassroots football, and it shows the happiness that attracts so many people to the sport. Boundaries of ability, age, and status are transformed which reminds us that football is not just a game it is a sport that brings people together in unity. Sunday League Football serves as a reminder of the grassroots origins of the sport in a world where it is often overshadowed by professional football. It reminds us that football is indeed a game for everyone as it celebrates the love for the game and the way it promotes a sense of community. It brings together enthusiasts, amateurs, and local communities, it demonstrates passion, togetherness, and the love of the beautiful game. There is often strong competition in the matches it comprises of different characters and can be quite humorous creating memorable moments and dreams.

[tejman7]

The Sunday League Experience at Hartford Athletic by Olateju Awosika

The Sunday League Experience at Hartford Athletic was very good at times despite there being poor weather but you still get to see and watch was is involved in their training session on a rainy Wednesday evening at 18:30 for one to two hours, a training match and on a matchday and what is it like being at a Sunday League Football club.

Here is an audio clip of me talking about my experience being at a Sunday League Football club

During the training match at Hartford Athletic you just don't play a normal 11- a-side match straight away you also either play a game of one touch or two touch as well and there are penalties if you don't follow the rules during the game of one touch or two touch and either the manager or the assistant manager will give their instructions to the players and are also involved in the game of one touch or two touch.

Here is a poll about playing one touch or two touch in training session in Sunday League Football

Whilst being at a Sunday League Football club training session on a Wednesday evening at Hartford Athletic you get an opportunity and the chance to do an interview with a player, manager or the assistant manager of the club during the training session and before the training match for either sometimes for a minute or even possibly for two minutes and ask them questions about what is it like playing for the club or what is their role at club.

Here is a video of me doing an interview with the manager and centre back of Hartford Athletic Kamal-Fruci Oduah asking him questions about what is it like for him playing for Hartford Athletic and being the manager of Hartford Athletic

Another thing about Sunday League football on matchdays at Hartford Athletic is when you are watching the match on the side-line you hear both of the managers are giving their instructions to their players on the side-line whilst the match is being played and throughout the whole of 90 minute and during any stoppage of play of the match. Although there is one bad thing when it comes to watching Sunday League football matches on a cold rainy Sunday morning from the side-line at Hartford Athletic is that the referee always received abuse and insults from the opposition manager when decisions go against them and they are not in their favour during the football match.

Here is a poll asking whether you agree or disagree with referees being insulted whilst officiating Sunday League Football matches

Do you agree or disagree with referees receiving abuse and insults from managers or opposition managers in Sunday League Football?

Yes

No

Watching Sunday League Football at Hartford Athletic is not just watching football matches from the side-line you get to see the Hartford Athletic manager giving more than one team talk and listen to how he wants his team play against their opposition and how he wants to set up his team. Another thing about playing Sunday League Football at Hartford Athletic is that it is not just about playing football as a team the players are able to build good friendship with teammates and the manager on and off the pitch and are having conversations with each other and on the side-line if they are on the substitutes bench.

Here is another poll asking whether do you agree or disagree with building friendships is a good thing in Sunday League football and managers giving more than one team talks

Do you agree or disagree with building friendships and managers giving more than one team talks are good things in Sunday League Football?

Yes

No

Another good thing about the Sunday League experience at Hartford Athletic is that at full-time and on matchdays is that some of the players who play for Hartford Athletic tend to go home or either after playing they go the pub and have some food or a drink with the manager, assistant manager and their teammates, have a good time and have several conversations and watch a football match whether it is after a win, loss or draw.

Here is an audio clip of me talking about what happens after a Sunday League football match at Hartford Athletic

The last thing about the experience and playing for a Sunday League Football club like Hartford Athletic is that playing football there is not just about playing football to get recognised by scouts for some of the players and play at a higher level for some of the footballers they like to play Sunday League football for fun and play with their friends.

Here is another audio clip of talking about Sunday League footballers what they enjoy about playing Sunday League football at Hartford Athletic