Update 18th July 2026

Clarification: We have been besieged by requests to see the “West London Peace Prize” which we reported on last week. It was a joke – we do not intend to influence the leaders of our Leagues by presenting them with a Peace Prize. Who, after all, would think that such a blatant strategy would work?

Lessons to be Learnt: We have offered England a Coaching Masterclass. As we tell our Under 11 players – “don’t try to defend a 1-0 lead without at least threatening to attack. If you do something is bound to go wrong” As the Chair of our US Fan Club said after the England v Argentina match “A 1-0 lead is the most precarious score in football”

Limbering Up for the 2026/7 Season: Over the last few weeks our Firsts have played Friendlies so that they start the new season in peak condition. We have also raised teams to play girls and boys teams from SoCal Select – a touring club from Orange County in California. They picked a particularly hot summer to tour but seemed to enjoy themselves and were very appreciative of the work the Dragons put in to organise matches. We wish them well.

Progress at the Den: Work continues but we are still many weeks away from being able to open the changing rooms etc. We plan to order the double turnstile next week – an FA requirement.  Even if there is no charge it will be exciting to enter the viewing area by clicking through a turnstile!

Best wishes