To the outside world, Hackney Wick FC may look like any other non-league football club.
But the team is at the heart of a quiet revolution in how amateur clubs are run and interact with the local community.
Hackney Wick FC in the community
This weekend, for example, the final home game of the season doubled as a fundraiser, supporting women’s team player Ashleigh Cannon, who is running the London Marathon in April.
And in the past year the men’s team has put up tents at the Abney Park’s 175th anniversary, taught football at the Hackney Women’s Institute and helped set up the Hackney Wick Festival.
Always giving back to the community @HackneyWickFC it's what we do #OurBoroughOurClub pic.twitter.com/JbDETxgYJ9
— Hackney Wick FC (@HackneyWickFC) March 12, 2016
Cannon, a teacher in a special school in Bermondsey, is raising money to support the charity Scope.
She told Hackney Post she was excited about running the marathon and had been impressed by the atmosphere at the club.
“It’s my first time doing it, I always wanted to run the marathon.
“The club is great. I’m not actually from around this area but I keep on coming back every week. There’s a great community spirit about it.
“It’s a really great thing to be involved with. It brings everyone together.”
Hackney Wick FC’s founder and men’s captain Bobby Kasanga said Cannon was “amazing”.
“She’s absolutely amazing. It’s absolutely brilliant what she is doing and we are very thankful for her.”
He described the ethos of the club he founded in 2015: “The men’s team all go out and volunteer in the community; whenever there’s an event we ask local residents ‘do you need us to come down’?”
Thanks @hackneypost for coming down. We hope we raised enough money for @scope @ScopeEvents pic.twitter.com/6KlLeY3PH3
— Hackney Wick FC (@HackneyWickFC) March 12, 2016
Ashleigh’s boyfriend Joe Roberts agreed: “Instead of just football, you give something back to the community.”
This summer the club is organising the “Hackney Cup for Health”, encouraging Hackney residents to understand the importance of physical activity.
Kasanga also said that the club was looking at getting council funding to involve older people next season.
“We’ve been trying to get involved with senior citizens because we know a lot of them are isolated from the community so we want to get them down to games, especially at the weekends when a lot of them are spending time by themselves.”
Parents’ representative and shop manager May Dewane said the club was important for young people in the community and gave children “new friends and freedom”.
“You can’t let kids out now, but they can spend all day here. It’s brilliant. I love it.”
Hackney Wick FC vs Mile End Park Rangers Match Report
Final Score: Hackney Wick FC 2 Mile End Park Rangers 3
@HackneyWickFC Vs @thesquirrelsFC pic.twitter.com/gFaOx8xLCF
— Jade ?? (@Jade_Taps) March 12, 2016
Although there is a lot of belief and passion surrounding Hackney Wick, it is fair to say that results haven’t always gone the new club’s way in their first season playing non-league football.
The final home game of the season at Mabley Green showed the club at their most inspiring and frustrating.
Visitors Mile End Park Rangers seemed to be coasting 2-0 up in the first half before a brace from Jerome Weatherman brought Hackney Wick level.
The goals dried up in the second half before Wick’s founder and captain Bobby Kasanga was sent off for a rash challenge late in the game.
Rangers used their man advantage well and, with just a few minutes to go, broke the deadlock.
Hackney Wick FC praised by Mile End after hard-fought match
@HackneyWickFC very close game! Well played lads. Absolutely no idea why you're not much much higher in league
— The Squirrels ??? (@thesquirrelsFC) March 12, 2016
After the match, Kasanga said: “Mile End are top of the table and we totally outplayed them throughout the whole game.
“It’s the story of our season, we make stupid mistakes when other teams score a goal, especially at home.
“Today we were behind, but we got two goals back and we were playing really well. I think with eleven men they would not have won the game.
“It’s the first ever season so we are looking to next season. This season was about establishing a football club and creating a team.”
Featured image credit: David Knowles
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