Corinthian-Casuals, The Footballing Romantics
- Johnnie Lowery
- Apr 26, 2017
- 4 min read
With no Sutton game this Tuesday I decided to make the trip east across to Greenwich, for their playoff tie against Corinthian-Casuals.
Don’t get me wrong Greenwich were a lovely little club, a nice little bar full of friendly people, but it wasn’t them I was there for.
For a long time I’ve had a vague interest in Corinthian-Casuals due to their famous history, continued amateur ethos, and vocal fanbase – tonight was a chance for me to see them in action on the big stage.
For years Corinth were relegation battlers, hanging on to life in the Ryman Division One South.
However a couple of years ago James Bracken took over as manager, bringing several of his hugely successful Sutton reserve and youth players into the frame along with a wealth of talent from elsewhere.
Instantly relegation was no longer a worry and the Tolworth based side secured a playoff spot in the 15-16 season.
However disaster struck in the form of a points deduction, an administrative error through no fault of their own costing them their shot at an unlikely promotion.
As an amateur side in a semi-pro league you’d be forgiven for thinking their achievements would be a ‘one season wonder’, with the better players simply moving on for a good wage the next season.
There’s no doubt some of the talent in this Casuals team could comfortably collect a few hundred pounds a week in some of the higher paying sides in this division, but the bond from player to player and with the fans is too strong for them to be tempted.
It’s beautifully refreshing to see a bunch of players only playing for each other and the supporters, with money not a consideration.
Greenwich, by contrast, are well funded in their quest to push on through the pyramid and went into the tie as heavy favourites.
I went to join the massed ranks of away supporters, another unique feature of the club.
There’s no political undertones to this fanatical support as there is with Dulwich or Clapton, just an unconditional love for their local team.
It shows too, the passion clear to see on everyone’s face on and off the pitch.
Just five minutes in Greenwich take the lead, a Mohamed Eisa effort bouncing off a divot in the goalmouth and over the unfortunate Danny Bracken – brother of the manager and just one of the players with no shortage of interest from higher ranked clubs.
The hosts look to sit in and frustrate Casuals but their lead doesn’t last, Shaun Okojie stepping up to calmly convert a penalty.
Disaster strikes 2 minutes later however as Coskun Ekim puts his boot up high and is shown a yellow card, only for the referee to change his mind and show the midfielder a straight red.
Though baffled and frustrated the Casuals supporters keep going and are rewarded as Reyon Dillon gives them a surprise lead not long after.
Indeed with a man down Bracken’s men are still the better side, the level of fight in the young side truly incredible to see – Greenwich have no answer to it.
An equaliser does come though and to be fair it’s a moment of magic, Peter Sweeney curling a freekick home from 25 yards.
Right on half time the hosts have a goal disallowed, which I’m reliably informed is ‘never offside in a million years’ by a spectator as we change ends.
The second half sees Casuals continue to impress me and the other Sutton fans I’ve brought along with their efforts, but their supporters are not surprised.
“They play for the love of the game, nothing to do with money” one shrugs when I express my amazement to him.
It’s clear to see how much this team mean to the supporters who have travelled over on a chilly Tuesday night to get behind their side as they keep their vocal efforts going incessantly.
On the hour mark the visitors get a freekick on the edge of the box, and with a slight hint of fortune it’s deflected in.
The away end erupts as the unfancied amateurs take the lead with just 10 men.
It gets better as Shaun Okojie doubles their lead with 15 minutes to go.
The scenes are incredible and I love it – there’s people on the pitch but there’s nothing malicious about this, no ‘return to the dark ages’.
Those who have dared to jump the barrier have done it to celebrate with the players they love, a pure spur of the moment celebration; thankfully nobody sees otherwise and the supporters return untroubled to watch the rest of the game from behind the barrier as a smoke bomb goes off.
Greenwich get one back but the five minutes of stoppage are closed out expertly as “amateur side, we’re having a laugh” rings out from the ecstatic away support.
The full time whistle goes, people are in tears, Corinthian-Casuals are a game away from the Ryman Premier Division.
The players come over to celebrate with the fans, that special bond evident once again – they really do feed off each other and the results are clear to see.
Dorking Wanderers await the plucky amateurs in the final, the big spending Surrey side amassing 105 points in their league campaign, finishing 2nd behind Tooting only on goal difference.
There’s no doubt Casuals are massive underdogs, but based on what I saw on Tuesday you wouldn’t put it past them.
Photo credit: Stuart Tree