Balham FC is my baby. I founded the club 21 years ago, in 2001, as Balham Blazers FC, with one Under 10 team.
It’s come a very long way since then and I’ve had a fantastic time steering the ship, on and off the green baize, coaching, managing, working with hundreds, if not thousands of players of all ages, from 7-year-olds to members of our open aged senior squad, who, following five promotions, currently play at Step 5 in the Football League ladder.
The club is part of my soul and always will be.
All good things must come to an end though and the time is right for me to hang up my Adidas Sambas and step back from day-to-day involvement with BFC, so that I can do the many other things that I want to do with work and family.
My three favourite memories, amongst many great ones, are winning the first of nearly 500 trophies in 2002 at the Ifield Cobras Under 10 Tournament in Crawley - I’ve still got the plastic trophy on a shelf at home - winning the London Senior Cup in 2018 and seeing a Balham player, Fabio Carvalho, become the first Blazer to play in the Premier League for Fulham, the club I’ve supported my whole life.
I’m leaving the club in the more than capable hands of an excellent, forward-thinking Committee, who cover all the bases required to keep it on an upward trajectory.
I will remain on the Board as Club President but will be concentrating on making sports related films with my new baby, Production Company, Park the Bus, instead of making footballers for The Blazers.
Greg Cruttwell
Club Chairman (outgoing)
Balham FC
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