London Titans Football Club

As reported in the latest GFSN Newsletter, the London Titans are working jointly with the GFSN on a bid to the Football Foundation for funding for a project to tackle homophobia in football and promote wider LGBT involvement in grassroots football.  The suggestion for the project was made by the Football Foundation and reflects the status and profile of the Club in the wider LGBT football community.  The project is also supported by Kick It Out, the anti-racism charity, who have pledged to work closely with us if the project goes ahead.

 The project is at an early stage and we are in the process of scoping out the proposal in order to submit an application for funding in late Spring / early Summer, as well as trying to gain the support of all the numerous stakeholders such as the FA, FAPL, Football League, and a selection of FAPL and League clubs to name a few.

 More information will be forthcoming if and when the project progresses, at which point we may ask for involvement from members.  In the meantime contact Andrew, Neil or Ed if you have any questions or useful contacts.

A merry band of Titans made their way to Prague this weekend to take part in the 2008 Galibi Cup, a small tournament hosted by Friends of Prague – a team from the Czech capital. The tournament was unusual in both format and rules. The games were to be played on an indoor sports hall wooden surface (which was surprisingly good, actually!), no head-height rule and kick-ins were preferred to throw-ins.

Games lasted for 24 minutes – 12 mins each half – increasing to 30 minutes for the knock out stages, and we were drawn in Group B, alongside Lutece Paris and Slovakia. We only played four games, but don’t be misled – we played over 2 hours of football at a high-tempo, we were knackered afterwards! This is how we got on…

<strong>Game 1: London Titans 3-1 Lutece Paris</strong>
Pre-tournament hopes were high for the Titans, although we were weary of complacency and even more weary of the Parisian team, who are always strong and our first opponents in the group stage. Unusually for a Titans team we started brightly, racing into a two goal lead within 8 minutes.

Firstly Matt B – on loan from Phoenix – scored a simple tap-in, and Miller headed in from close range after a clever corner from Scotty.

We still displayed the odd bit of nervousness as we got used to the playing surface, and a lack of concentration allowed Paris back into the match – a stunning volley that left Sally no chance.

In the second half Titans became more composed and were dominating possession. A quick kick-in from Tez led to Matt smashing home our third to put the game beyond doubt. FT 3-1

<strong>Game 2: London Titans 3-1 Slovakia Mixed Team</strong>
The first 15 seconds of this match rates as one of my tournament highlights. Straight from the kick-off, Titans didn’t give away possession, played some sublime one-touch passing football, which ultimately led to us taking the lead. It was delightful stuff and Miller had grabbed his second goal. Slovakia hadn’t even touched the ball!

However, we started playing panicky football and conceded a soft goal from a corner. It was no more then the Slovaks deserved, and at half-time the scores were equal.

We regained our composure and got back to basics thanks to Gez’s pep-talk and we controlled the majority of the second half. Matt put us ahead after pressurising the Slovak defence and capitalising on an error. Tez then managed to intercept an awry goal-kick and half-volley into the bottom corner to settle the match.

The win meant we topped the group and faced those pesky Germans in the semi-finals, leading to the inevitable conversation about penalty shoot outs! FT 3-1

<strong>Semi-Final: London Titans 3-2 Vorspeil Berlin (AET)</strong>
This was a tough, physical game in which Titans battled hard but couldn’t break down the wily, experienced German side, who were playing intelligent man-marking and counter-attacking football.

Half-time came with little incident of note. Tiredness was creeping into the Titans side, but our spirit never diminished and we kept going with good use of sub rotation from Gez on the sideline.

But the Berliners took the lead halfway through the second-half, taking advantage of some poor Titans defending. Under pressure, we battled hard – slide tackles were going in, clearances off the line, and vigor on the counter-attack, but it wasn’t proving fruitful.

With the scoreboard counting down, time was running out and we started putting huge pressure on the German defence. Finally, a glorious cross from Scotty on the left led to Miller bundling home the equaliser with only 2 mins remaining and celebrating with only a smile that Miller can muster!

Extra Time and the Titans spirit and desire started to shine. We started harassing the German defence, and when Rueggy played the ball to Tezza on the right hand side, Titans poured men forward in support. But instead he smashed a first time shot that swerved across the goalie into the far top left hand corner – no mean feat with the small width of the goals.

We had the lead and 8 minutes remained – we just had to continue working hard. We didn’t lose focus. The Germans committed men forward, but a counter-attack was dealt with by our defence and Miller pounced on confusion to slot home into an empty net! 3-1!

There was time for the Germans to sneak a consolation (*waves at Scotty*), but with only 7 seconds remaining, the full time hooter sounded before any players were ready for a restart! Who needs penalties?

<strong>Final: Friends Prague 2-0 London Titans</strong>
We were weary of a couple of the Prague players, who’d played some classy football during the group stages. But we were quietly confident that if we maintained our work-rate and spirit from the first games, we’d do well.

In the first half, we were all over them – dominating possession, forging half-chances and preventing Prague from creating any meaningful attacks.

The second half was a different story – tiredness was creeping in and passes were going astray. A defensive mix-up and goalmouth scramble put the hosts ahead. The cup was slipping away. We tried not to let our heads drop, but the result was put beyond doubt when the hosts doubled their lead with a great goal smashed in from distance.

The scoreboard, so helpful in semis, suddenly became a hindrance – we kept desperately looking up to see how much time was left. Despite besieging the Prague goal it became obvious that we weren’t going to score twice as the remaining minutes dissolved into seconds. We could all see the clock ticking down, awaiting the inevitable ice hocky style ‘hooter’ to end the game, consigning us to a silver, rather than gold, medal.

Eventually it sounded. FT 2-0

We all knew we didn’t deserve to lose. We all knew we had given everything we could. We worked so hard and played some really really good football, but most importantly, we didn’t let our heads drop and nor did we abandon the Titans spirit.

None of us could genuinely pick out a Titans “Man of the tournament” – but if there’s one player who epitomises our spirit, it’d be Miller. He always plays with a smile on his face, never ever whinges or moans, but just gets on with his game. He finished as our top scorer with 4 goals. Well played Miller, well played everybody.

Of course, the drinking commenced in earnest at the after-tournament party and Titans didn’t let themselves down their either – being the last team to leave the club, so I believe. Good. Roll on Iceland! We’ll win that one instead!

<strong>London Titans Prague 2009: </strong>
Sally, Reuggy, Tezza, OJ, Scotty, Miller, Aussie, Matt B, and Gez! Na zdraví!!

Please note the following dates in your diary:

The main fundraiser for the IGLFA World Championships in Washington will be Sunday May 3rd at West 5, South Ealing, in the evening (further details to be announced).   Everyone’s welcome for what will be a fun night including an appearance by the new Titandales.

 The Club AGM will take place Wednesday 3rd June 8.00pm at the Lucas Arms, St Pancras. Read the rest of this entry »

Off the back of last week’s excellent result and performance against our local rivals, London Falcons there was a confident feeling throughout the squad last Sunday.  The only changes from the team that beat the Falcons was Tezza coming in at centre back and Wheeler starting at left back in place of Chris Maughan. Read the rest of this entry »