Camden United make history by lifting the Alec Smith Premier Division Cup after a 1-0 victory over Eagles Land Cricklewood

A GRASSROOTS football club with aspirations of turning semi-pro have laid down a marker for their future intentions in silverware.

Camden United are one promotion away from achieving their dream as they continue to climb the football pyramid.

The odds of fulfilling that goal this season, however, are heavily stacked against them: United are currently 10 points behind leaders Hayes & Hillingdon in the Premier Division of the Middlesex County League with just five games to go.

But the club’s efforts on and off the pitch haven’t been in vain – far from it, after the “brilliant and talented” squad wrote their own history by capturing the Alec Smith Premier Division Cup this month.

Striker Tomasz Siemienczuk scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot as United battled to a 1-0 victory over Eagles Land Cricklewood at Uxbridge Football Club in West Drayton, Hillingdon.

Full-backs Elias Moreno and Hayden Mandangu-Makangu were United’s men-of-the-match, with manager Leon Louis describing them as “the two best players on the pitch”.

Going on to praise the whole team for their triumphant efforts, Louis, who works for Westminster Council, added: “It feels brilliant seeing the club win their first trophy in Saturday men’s football.

“We’ve beaten some very good teams in this cup run, and despite the final being a close affair, we held our nerve, remained composed and got the win.

“The support that we had from our friends and families in the stands was unreal. The opposition crowd made the atmosphere a little uncomfortable at times, but the boys stuck to the task and, for me, are deserved champions.

“It really is an amazing achievement for the club and for the group.

“Our squad is a mix of teenagers, some players who have been in and around this league for a while, and some experienced players who have played at a higher level. We all get on really well, everybody plays their role, and I really believe this will be the first trophy of many.”

United followed up their silverware success with league wins over Kensington Dragons and Kodak, stretching their latest unbeaten run to seven games – during which time they have netted six wins. In the league alone they have now won 16 and drawn five of their 27 matches, which is no mean feat at county level.
Louis believes it all points to a very bright future for the club.

He said: “To be honest, there were some really good signs even before this period. We’re very settled now, and have matured as the season has gone on. We’re at a place where there’s really good chemistry both on and off the pitch.

“We’ve done brilliantly over the past seven days, winning three matches whilst dealing with a lot of injuries and absences.”

With fixtures running out fast, Louis added: “There are five league games left to go, and I’ve told the boys that, at this stage, I’d like us to finish in a league position where we can look back and feel proud.

“We play Hayes & Hillingdon this Saturday at home. They’re top of the table and are a very dogged and resolute side, so we know that we will need to be at our best.

“We will carry on trying our best and finish as strongly as we possibly can.”