Supporting football

Written by Millicent Brown Monday, 10 December 2018

Frank Lampard Sr with Snaresbrook FC

Have you ever dreamt of being part of a local football team flying high at the top of one of Essex's major county leagues? If so, volunteers and supporters are welcome at Snaresbrook FC, says Millicent Brown.

Snaresbrook FC, based off Wanstead's Nutter Lane, is presently in first place in Division One of the Essex Olympian Football League and is keeping its fingers crossed for promotion. And they're actively looking out for people to allow this great, historic club to carry on their progression up the footballing pyramid as they'd like to snap up match-day physios, linesmen, hospitality staff and many more.

Originally named RAFARNO – short for Royal Air Force Army Royal Navy Officers – the club was set up at the end of World War One to provide sporting activities for the local community. Even these days, a fenced-off section with a fir tree remains at the top end of the ground, marking the area where horses and carriages used to turn around to drop off and pick up passengers.

At the moment, Snaresbrook FC is doing brilliantly in top position, six points clear from the team below – so it's fingers crossed for the end of the season celebrations. And you could be a part of it! Snaresbrook FC has relied for so many years on parents and players to 'do their bit' but are still in constant need of investment and volunteers. So, why not pop down to the club to watch a match and meet up with other friendly local supporters and enjoy a chat and drink?

The club recently secured sponsorship from ex-footballing legend and local businessman Frank Lampard Sr (owner of Nightingale on the Green pub), and local waste management company Bywaters, which allowed the club to invest in training equipment, tracksuits and new kit for the first time in over five years.

Ex-player and new manager Robert Caine, who played for Snaresbrook for two decades, said: "This club and the family feeling has never left my blood since the day I arrived. My manager for all that time, Paul Staniford, was a huge role model for myself and many other Snaresbrook players. After his service for over 35 years for the club and community, I could not turn down the opportunity to take up the reins. It's a great opportunity for me to repay all his hard work over the years and a chance to bring the same success and opportunities it gave me and my peers to another generation of Snaresbrook players. Something I've tried to add as the manager is to grow the reputation of this club through social media and build on its great history."

Talking about the importance of local support, Robert added: "At a time when football clubs are struggling to survive at grass roots level due to lack of investment and dedicated people like our club hero Paul 'Stan' Staniford, I think it's an appropriate opportunity to welcome any volunteers and supporters to play a part in this local, community-based football club."

For more information on Snaresbrook FC, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or follow the club on Twitter @Snaresbrookfc for details of games and results.

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