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Kentish Town FC captain Tom McMullen: relaxed and philosophical |
Up for FA Cup! But it’s back to work Monday
Semi-pro footballer who works with special needs kids to play in famous competition
IF you had told Barnsbury man Tom McMullen, 23, he would be one day be captaining a team in the FA Cup he’d have probably thought you were having a laugh.
The former Central Foundation schoolboy who works with special needs children at Islington Council, has always enjoyed football but only at a less intense amateur level.
But suddenly all that has changed and his team, Kentish Town FC, will this Sunday make a little bit of local sporting history when they play in the world-famous football tournament against Wellingborough Town.
No one is more proud than Tom’s parents, Lesley and Michael McMullen, who spoke to the Tribune last night at their home in Barnsbury Street.
Lesley said she never attends Tom’s football matches but this Sunday she’ll make an exception.
She added: “All the family and hopefully friends will be there to support him.
“I don’t care whether he wins or loses, it will be a great day.”
Michael said Tom, who plays at centre back, has always been keen on football, but playing in the Cup will be a crowning glory.
“They are a semi-professional team but, sadly, they don’t get paid,” said Michael. “He couldn’t survive without a day job.”
It might not be Arsenal versus Manchester United – there are a few more matches before the big teams enter the competition – but the players turning out in Kentish Town’s blue strip on Sunday will always be able to say they have played in the FA Cup.
Tom himself said he was reasonably relaxed and philosophical about the match.
“I’ve got no special plans for the weekend – but it goes without saying I won’t be overdoing it,” he said. “This will be the biggest match I’ve ever played in and I want to give it my best shot.
“It will be wonderful if we win but I won’t be able to celebrate with a party. I’m getting up very early on Monday morning to take a bunch of kids camping.”
Head coach David Ryan, who lives in Angel, said: “I’m very proud of the team, they have done really well. We hope they excel themselves.”
Kentish Town’s players are drawn from across Islington and neighbouring Camden.
“It is a milestone for the club,” said general secretary Kevin Young. “It has always been the dream of the founders from day one to one day play in the FA Cup and so Sunday is that dream turning into a reality.”
The club was only founded in 1994 when, according to Mr Young, teenagers at the Market Road pitches near York Way who couldn’t find a regular game with a team were brought together.
When the first players grew too old for youth football, founder Frank Zanre decided to create a fully functioning team which has worked itself up through the divisions.
Mr Young said: “There was a feeling that all the hard work ran out after the youth teams got too old and the managers wanted to do more for them.”
A couple of the players have been in it from the beginning, loyalty which will be rewarded with the chance to play in the same competition as Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs.
Opponents Wellingborough Town, nicknamed The Doughboys in their native Northamptonshire, reformed four years after their previous team went bust. But don’t write them off – the club has a history dating back to the 1860s.
Kentish Town have pedigree of their own – coach Clement Temile is considered a national sporting hero in Nigeria, where he played professionally in the 1980s, and one of the youth team coaches, Alan Sefton, is employed by Arsenal through their community training schemes.
Mr Sefton said: “It’s great for a team like Kentish Town to be coming on so far. Arsenal are involved with lots of teams in north London. Our aim is to get as many people playing football and enjoying the game.”
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