The last Sunday in March was a windy day in Chingford, Essex. It was a Sunday gust that caught out Korona Redbridge in the first minute, as they concede a goal from a corner. Despite drawing level they lost their match in the Essex Sunday Corinthian League Division One to a goal scored from a free-kick. To some onlookers, biased as they may be, this had appeared offside.
There are nearly a million Polish-born people living in the UK, with a large proportion of them in London. So it is quite surprising that there is only Sunday League side for Poles in the city, namely Korona Redbridge.
The club’s secretary and founder, Wieslaw Gladyszewski-Jasica, is London-born and bred, but his father was a Polish soldier who fought at Dunkirk and Normandy for the Allies. “When I was a kid, I just thought all Polish people were old,” says Wieslaw, such was the lack of new arrivals to London from Poland during the Cold War. The gap between the two waves of migration made England more alien to Poles arriving here in recent years, so the newer arrivals struggled to establish themselves in British life, of which Sunday League football is surely a part.
Francis Torres is the president, having started the club with Wieslaw almost ten years ago after a priest at their church suggested a game. Since then, Korona have grown larger and more competitive. The two founders, along with Wieslaw’s son Adrian, are the only constants in a team who have changed drastically since Korona’s inception in 2006.
Bu hikaye When Saturday Comes dergisinin May 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye When Saturday Comes dergisinin May 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Pirate Transmission
Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.
Scandi Drama
Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.
Pot Of Gold
A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
Haringey Ladder
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.
Room With A View
Hampden Park
Not In The Script
ARSENAL FILM
Out Of Place...
After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker
Uncomfortable Truth
At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
