Looking Forward to the 2021/22 Season:

We trust you are all in the pink of health and have avoided Covid. The 2021/22 season has started for our Senior teams and training for our junior teams will start in earnest at the beginning of September – after the Bank Holiday. The HYFL has decided to start fixtures later this season – on Sunday 3^rd October. This gives us more time that usual to settle the teams and play friendlies so that we start in peak condition. The Capital Girls League start is being reviewed.

Donations for Last Season:

If any parents realise they did not make a donation but would like to then please click on the “Donate” button on our website. We do not charge a subscription so we rely on donations.

AFC Wimbledon:

You will probably know the extraordinary story of how fans resurrected their club to play in a new stadium in Wimbledon after the club’s owners moved it to Milton Keynes. We can learn from their experience. As Margaret Mead said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has” . I am reading their Erik Samuelson’s book “All Together Now”. Eric left his job as a PWC partner to help Wimbledon make history – for a guinea a year. There will be a film one day. The sequel could be our story.

Summer Soccer School:

We held a very successful Soccer School. For the mathematicians amongst you we delivered around  1,000 “Player Football Hours” for mainly 9 and 10 year olds. We also held a recruitment session for the new U15 Boys team in conjunction with the Council’s  activity day.

Looking Ahead:

This next year promises to be a particularly interesting one as we build on our foundations to propel the club forward but more of that in the coming weeks.

Enjoy the Bank Holiday – it is back to football soon. Whatever happens it is unlikely to be a repeat of 2020/21 which we hope was a “once in a lifetime” experience.

Best wishes

Recruiting for Under 15 Boys for the 2021/22 Season:
Players under 15, but over 13,  on 1/9/21 are invited to a training session on:
Saturday 31 July from 2pm to 3.30pm at Holland Park on the grass Sports Field, W8 6LU.
This is in collaboration with RBKC’s “Summer of Love” and there is no charge
 
Summer Soccer School for Boys & Girls aged 9 & 10 & 11:
Saturday 31 July to Wednesday 4 August
 
First Day: Saturday 31 July from 11am to 1pm:
At Holland Park on the grass Sports Field, W8 6LU
This is in collaboration with RBKC’s “Summer of Love” and there is no charge
 
Days two to five: Sunday 1st to Wednesday 4th August from 10am to 1pm:
At Kensington Memorial Park (St Mark’s Park), St Mark’s Road,  W10 6BZ
Voluntary contribution of £5/day to help with costs
 
To register in advance email Graham on education@kensingtondragons.com, stating which activity you are interested in.

Fellow Dragons

With the season now over we must turn our heated minds to next season:
 

 Recruiting Players for the Under 15 Boys Team for the 2021/22 Season:

Players under 15, but over 13,  on 1/9/21 are invited to a training session on:

Saturday 31 July from 2pm to 3.30pm at Holland Park on the grass Sports Field, W8 6L.

This is in collaboration with RBKC’s “Summer of Love” and there is no charge

Summer Soccer School for Boys & Girls aged 9 & 10 & 11:

Saturday 31 July to Wednesday 4 August

First Day: Saturday 31 July from 11am to 1pm:

At Holland Park on the grass Sports Field, W8 6LU

This is in collaboration with RBKC’s “Summer of Love” and there is no charge

Days two to five: Sunday 1st to Wednesday 4^th August from 10am to 1pm:

At Kensington Memorial Park (St Mark’s Park), St Mark’s Road,  W10 6BZ

Voluntary contribution of £5/day to help with costs
 

To register in advance email Graham, our Education Officer, stating which activity you are interested in: education@kensingtondragons.com

 

                                        Summer Soccer School     

                               For Boys & Girls aged 9 & 10 & 11

                        Saturday 31 July to Wednesday 4 August

First Day: Saturday 31 July from 11am to 1pm:

At Holland Park on the grass Sports Field, W8 6LU

In collaboration with RBKC’s “Summer of Love” . No charge

Days two to five: Sunday 1st to Wednesday 4^th August from 10am to 1pm:

At Kensington Memorial Park (St Mark’s Park), St Mark’s Road,  W10 6BZ

Voluntary contribution of £5/day to help with costs
 

To register in advance or for more information, please email
Graham, the Club’s Education Officer  education@kensingtondragons.com

This was a rather an unfortunate weekend for Cup Finals and Penalty Takers in general:

On Saturday the Seniors just lost away 1-3 to Sporting Duet in the Covid Cup. The match started briskly with the Dragons goalie making saves early on, before they took  the lead from the Dragons right back’s long throw to his left back at the near post who headed it in. Sporting Duet equalised by half time.  The second half was very open with both teams creating chances to take the lead. On 70 minutes the Dragons scored again, only for it to be disallowed by the linesman. A dubious call. The Dragons continued to pile on the pressure and were awarded a penalty on 75 minutes, only for it to be saved. The momentum of the game changed and Sporting Duet had their tails up as they went on to score 2 goals in the last 15 minutes. The Dragons were unlucky but will learn from the  experience. 

On Sunday England drew 1-1 with Italy after extra time in the European Cup Final but then missed penalties to keep the Dragons company. England started with verve and vigour to score in the first two minutes – a record for a European Cup Final. The Dragons always tell our Under 11s that it is risky to rely on a one goal lead and so it proved as Italy equalised,  via a messy goal mouth scramble. At full time it was 1-1. After extra time it was still a breathless 1-1 and it was on to penalties.  One wonders whether the best preparation for taking a penalty is to be substituted on, minutes from the final whistle, with the instruction to save the nation in front of a cauldron of cheering 50,000 spectators with millions more watching on TV. England lost. All was despondency for England fans until they realised that the loss was part of a bigger plan to win the World Cup in 2022.

We are in the FINAL!  Yes, our Seniors have battled through to the Covid Cup Final v Sporting Duet this Saturday 10th July at 3pm at Cranford Community College, High Street, Cranford, TW5 9PD.  Spectators welcome.

With the season ending there were only a few matches:

The Seniors beat Wiseman West 4—1 to reach the Covid Cup Final. With a good mixture of youth and experience the Dragons started sharply to win first and second balls. This intensity eventually lead to an inevitable Dragons goal and just before half time they scored again. From that point the Dragons controlled the game.  In the second half the Dragons dominated to score another 2 goals. It was good to see four of the Dragon youth team players in the squad, with one getting a hat-trick.

The U12 Boys split into two squads to battle though to the semi-final of  the Wealdstone 6 a side Tournament  – only to then meet their other half. With the Dragons bound to go through to the Final it was a cruel blow to lose in the penalty shootout after drawing at full time. Still an enjoyable day.  

With England taking the Dragons advice in the Euros,  our season officially ended on 30 June, leaving a just few matches last weekend:

The U17’s beat Pro FA 5-3 away to earn a crucial three points, effectively guaranteeing premiership football in the new season. This was a commanding performance from the Dragons. Time will tell if they can emulate this year’s Dragons U18s who won the HYFL Premiership title.

The Old Dragonians just lost 4-5 against Rajputs de Monde in their first ever match. Rajputs promised to bring a lower team but then added a hand full of first team players to their squad. The score was 1-3 at half time with the Dragons improving in the second half to almost draw level. A great first outing of this new Dragons Senior Sunday Side.  

The U15s Boys lost 1-3 to Elite London at home. The Dragons were missing their goalie so had to rely on an brave recruit to draft into action. In the circumstances the Dragons played exceptionally well, giving their all.

The U13 Boys beat 5-3 Pro away in a friendly. This was a well-mannered, competitive match where the Dragons acquitted themselves with footballing aplomb.

The Dragons were in peak condition, thirsting to play, only to find the oppositions had stayed tucked up in bed leaving the Dragons the rather weak consolation of being awarded 3 points, without the excitement of playing. There are just a couple of matches left now as the oddest season in memory finally draws to a close. We hope all our players had fun and congratulate them, the coaches, managers, officers and trustees for keeping going so successfully during this stop start season. We are a very unusual club in not requiring a membership fee – we want  to avoid any player being prevented from playing football for financial reasons. We do however have to raise around £100,00/year, around £250/player, to run the club which we do by applying for grants, particularly this year from the John Lyon’s Charity,  and our generous Patrons. If you, or your child, played football this season and you have not already made a voluntary contribution, but could afford to, please click the button:     Next season will be very exciting as we have just reached agreement to make marked improvement to our facilities  – more later as we plot the path forward.

With the season drawing to a delayed end, with most matches played, the Dragons have done remarkably well. We have kept going, scoring tremendous victories whilst others wilted:

The U18s are crowned Premiership Champions! A fantastic achievement. Winning a league in any sport requires grit, resilience and determination. During a long season there are bound to be upsets and disappointments. The challenge is to bounce back and keep going – not easy to do, especially with Covid restrictions. The players, managers and coaches worked together to earn their success. The players are a great credit to the Dragons and the experience of battling through to create a winning team bodes well for their futures. For the statistically minded the Dragons drew level on  points with Hendon on 26 each but emerged clear winners with a goal difference of 17 versus Hendon’s 7.

The Seniors beat the Whistlers 3-2 in the Covid Cup to reach the Semi Finals.  The game started at a furious pace as both teams tried to gain a foothold. The Whistlers took the lead sparking the Dragons into another gear to equalise just before half time. With the hot weather effecting some players the Dragons brought on a couple of younger players who were chomping at their footballing bit to get involved. They made an instant impact and were both involved in pulling the Dragons 3-1 ahead. The Dragons then controlled the game to the end, albeit losing a bit of concentration at the back to let the Whistlers score a consolation goal.  

The U11 Boys played the U10 Boys in a well matched contest in the heat. All eyes are now on the U10s who are soon to graduate to be next season’s U11s and with it a season of competitive matches. The current U11s remain undefeated in their last 9 matches  and look forward to next Sunday’s final match of the season

The U12 Girls beat Most Wanted 2-1 at Wormwood Scrubs in a thriller. The Dragons had been soundly beaten in their last encounter so Most Wanted were understandably the bookies favourite. The Dragon are however a great bunch of players and when they went 0-1 down were not disheartened but rather knuckled down to draw level. It was then a nail-biting match until 20 seconds from the end the Dragons were awarded a free kick. Most Wanted formed an impregnable wall of players, which did not live up to its name, as the ball flew over them to dip down into Most Wanted’s goal. A fantastic win for the Dragons.  

The U12 Boys beat St Joseph’s 3-2 away to be crowned Divisional Champions. This was a crucial match which the Dragons had to win or draw to win the league – a tough challenge with St Joseph’s lying second in the table with their own hopes of securing the title. St Joseph’s had won 6-4 in in the last encounter and to intensify the challenge their coach refereed the match. The Dragons scored first only for St Joseph’s to equalise before taking the lead with 15 minutes to go. The Dragons coaches made some well-timed adjustments resulting in them scoring two volley screamers from long range. The Dragons had won!

The U13 Girls played in a six a side Tournament. The Dragons turned out in force with 12 players making rotating them on and off the pitch a challenge. Every Dragon got to play but the team did not win the Tournament. Next time.  

There were no other matches so the teams trained.

Well done our U18s – now equal top of the Premiership. The team are a tremendous tribute to the Dragons, football and indeed youths in general. 

The U18s convincingly beat Regents & Tufnell 4-0 at home. Had the Dragons lost this could have been their last game – a potentially sad day for the players who have been together through triumphs and tribulations, some since they were 10 years old. This was another great team achievement – a hattrick from the Dragons star striker summed up their performance. On this win the Dragons should face a  playoff with Hendon to determine which team is  crowned the Premiership champions.

The U17s had no match

The U15 Boys beat FC Starz 2-1 at home. The Dragons were faced with a pitch at St Marks that made it difficult to play the possession football they have trained for – which worked to the advantage of the weaker FC Starz.  The Dragons persevered with a fantastic touch and finish by the left winger to take the early lead and a winner by the Dragons leading goal scorer to scrape by with a 2 – 1 victory.   

The U15 Girls had no match

The U14s had no match

The U13 Boys lost 1-3 to league leaders Harrow United at home. This was a much better match then the previous week against the strong Harrow side. For much of the match the result could have gone either way.

The U13 Girls had no match

The U12 boys beat Headstone Manor 2-1 away. Every week is tough and every week questions are asked about the character and determination of the Dragons. This week was no different as they had to dig in for victory to now sit at the top of the table with one match to go.

The U12 Girls had no match

The U11 Boys drew with Wealdstone. This was a cracker of a match with both goalies earning their non-existent fee. There was absolutely no doubt however that the Dragons had  the most shots on goal and it was only the tremendous efforts of Wealdstone’s goalie  that prevented a thumping Dragons win.

The U11 Girls  lost to Islington Borough away in a close & intense game.  The Dragons worked hard to match the very strong Islington side and, based upon the ovation they received on leaving the field, they achieved their objective. 

The Under 10s trained and played as they are poised to be registered as the new Dragons U11s Team.

The Seniors had no match as they look forward to their quarter final of the Covid Cup