For the UK: Did the brothers in your congregation play football?

by truthseeker 2 Replies latest jw friends

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  truthseeker

  This is a UK thread for those brothers who played football in their congregation.

  What were your experiences? Any interesting stories?

  I loved this game growing up and played as often as I could. I always preferred to play footy rather than watch it, though I always watched the World Cup.

  My home congregation did not organise football matches, preferring instead to join other local congregation's games.

  Some of the brothers in the Worthing congregations (West Sussex) would organize a game after the meeting on Sunday afternooon. These were quite well attended and included brothers from the Littlehampton and Brighton area congregations. I went to a few of these games. Some brothers were very competitive and occasionally you would hear the odd curse word.

  We would usually play on a pitch when these were available but sometimes the brothers would rent an indoor hall.

  Brothers from the Chichester congregation played football on a large pitch near Selsey.

  Football matches that I heard about but did not attend were played by brothers in the Horsham, Hailsham and Crawley congregations.

  I don't know if the following is a rumour or not but I did hear that one of the Sussex circuits has or had their own football team for the best players. I was never able to confirm this though.

  There was a rule that went into effect that said if you couldn't attend the meeting you couldn't play the game.
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  four candles

  Yeah I used to enjoy playing football,my son and I used to go. Occasionally,we would organise a 'proper' game and hire a staduim,Hyde United's, and use the full kit,with goalnets,corner flags,fully marked pitch etc. But as you say some were a little competitive. I ended up with a dislocated kneecap on 2 separate occasions,which put paid to any more footy.
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  Saxon

  Hope bouncing this thread doesn't break any rules...

  Around 15 years ago, there used to be 4 teams that would play each other (half a full size astro and 7-a-side) on Sunday evenings in Hastings. Teams were named after congs in Hastings, Bexhill and Eastbourne, but players weren't really from those congs. Think one or two would travel from Brighton to play.

  Afterward would be a less competitive game that was typically attended by players of a "lesser" ability or those not as competitive, including kids and older brothers. Sometimes people who were studying or related to a JW but not one themselves might get invited to join.

  I remember once playing in a proper tournament at the same venue, same rules and set up, but more teams, pretty sure there were one or two teams from London playing and the tournament would last all afternoon. You might not be posting on here anymore but did you play in this tournament?

  Brothers would also hire a sports hall midweek.

  There was the odd occasion an argument occured if someone got too competitive, but that's about it.

  I stopped playing when I stopped going to meetings.