Corinthian-Casuals Schools XI

Oxford University win the 2026 Brian Wakefield Trophy!

On what was an extremely challenging afternoon last Saturday, we represented the club and paid tribute to Brian Wakefield in a wholly commendable fashion. And ultimately, that was what it was all about.

First though, the set back of the pitch. We arrived only to discover that our games had in fact been moved from the main Oxford City stadium pitch - to an inadequate (being kind) council pitch in the park, “Out the back…”

And the next set back? The opposition… Unfortunately Oxford had been unable to organise a team of appropriately aged opponents for us to play… And so we found ourselves pitted against the current Oxford University First XI (!) and their very recent old boys - in a three team round robin. All in all, it was less than ideal.

I won’t go in to the matches in detail.. but all in all, considering the circumstances, we did really well.

Let’s get the excuses out early - The sun was beaming down.. It was hot.. It was a dry, bobbly pitch.. The opposition were half our age.. They didn’t even have proper kit… And yet we honourably fought on.

The first game (40 mins) against the current blues ended 5-1. With Carl Withers finishing a good move, set up by Marcus Bell and Mikey Lewis to grab us a late consolation goal.

Their youthful legs proved too much at times, with balls over the top leading to chance after chance. Dan Smith in goal played outstandingly all day, despite the losses.

The second game against the recent alumni saw us play against a side of even greater technical ability - yet we dug in to end the day with a respectable 2-0 defeat.

In the final - The Oxford blues beat the Alumni on penalties, after drawing, 2-2.

And so with that, the cup was presented to the Oxford Blues. A stewards inquiry may be required to read the small print of the Trophies rules however, to see if the result merits engraving on the cup..!

A massive thank you and apologies again to everyone who came. And to Mike Tomlinson too, who helped to recruit several players from the Ascot United Vets - to make sure we were able to field a team.

Of course, the most important thing was that we were there - paying tribute to Brian. You could imagine him declaring the day a “Shambles”… But step back and it was anything but.. As the sun was still shining, we were all sat out at the bar after the game, surrounded by friends, laughing over memories of Brian, having played a game of football. Something that we mustn’t take for granted and we’re lucky to still be able to do. And isn’t that what it’s really all about..?

So it may not have been a vintage year for the Trophy. But we did it. So thank you once again to everyone for coming and making it happen. It meant a lot to all who knew Brian, to fulfil these fixtures this year.

Squad : Dan Smith, Rich Hall, John Gregory, Ed Kisaalu, Stuart Tanfield, Chris Ferdinand, Will Shackleton, Glenn Johnson, Carl Withers, Gavin Hall, Mike Tomlinson, Chris Watney, Mikey Lewis, Marcus Bell, Rich Austin

Many thanks to Andy Nunn for the fantastic photography - full collection here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/andythephotographer/9J4tFq3221

The Brian Wakefield Trophy.

This Saturday, the Corinthian-Casuals Schools XI (Veterans) will be travelling to Oxford to compete for the annual Brian Wakefield Trophy - against Oxford University Association Football Club Old Boys.

It will be the first time the cups been competed for since Brian’s sad passing earlier in the month.

Brian was a four time blue for Oxford - competing in the varsity match an incredible four times in the 1950’s before later moving to London and joining the Corinthian-Casuals Football Club

Having represented Team GB at the 1960 Rome Olympics - Brian went on to have a wonderful career at Kingstonians before coming back to Casuals where amongst many jobs, he managed the Schools XI for an incredible 40 years, between 1977 & 2017.

We’ve been playing for this trophy each year, ever since. A tribute to a wonderful, beloved man and an absolute legend of both clubs.

The match will be played at Oxford City FC - on Saturday 25th April. Kick off at 14:00.

Attendance is free - and everyone’s welcome.

Information regarding Brian Wakefields funeral.

The family of Brian Wakefield have informed us that his funeral will be held at 1pm on Wednesday 13th May at St Andrews Church, Ham Common, with refreshments to follow afterwards in the church hall.

They invite those members of the Corinthian-Casuals and Corinthian-Casuals Schools XI family who knew Brian to join them in bidding a final farewell to a towering figure in our club's modern history.

It is with great sadness that we must announce the very sad passing of Brian Wakefield.

Brian was the manager of the Corinthian-Casuals Schools XI from 1977 through to 2017.

He was a legendary figure who year after year worked tirelessly to put a team out, week after week.

After becoming a blue at Oxford University Association Football Club, he joined the Corinthian-Casuals from where he was then selected to be an Olympian in 1960, going to Rome with Team GB.

After a glorious career too with the Kingstonians, Brian returned to the Casuals to manage the Corinthian-Casuals Football Club First XI, as well as taking on further jobs, such as the club secretary for many years.

Then, in 1977, he would become the manager of the Schools XI - a position he dutifully held for an incredible FORTY years.

Through his passion, commitment, hard work and enthusiasm - Brian made it possible for many, many players to extend their careers via the Schools XI, spreading the Corinthian Spirit far and wide.

Through both his work with the Casuals and the Wanderers (of whom he wrote the club biography), he organised several international tours too - his was a life dedicated to football.

For many of us, Brian was like a grandfather figure who we’ll never forget playing for - Without him barking “Link up!”, “Keep the ball!” or telling you to, “Have a blow…” when giving you the hook -Saturdays will never quite be the same again.

Thank you Brian. From all of us fortunate enough to have played under you.

CCFC Schools XI

The Dorset branch of the School’s XI keep the Corinthian Spirit alive!

Corinthian-Casuals Schools XI ‘Elite’ 2 x Canford School 1

Corinthian-Casuals ‘Legends’ 2 x Canford School 1

Fine weather, lovely venue, great company, sportsmanlike opposition, and the superb array of post-match food, ale, and harmless banter. I don’t think it matters a jot if the same stories, recollections and sporting anecdotes are told every year; it’s the fact that we’re all able to share those links, renew acquaintances and welcome new players that makes it so rewarding.

Two wins is a rarity, so well done to all who made it through the respective matches. A goal and an assist from debutant Joe Sadler in the first match, with John Walter of the “Legends” still heard to be claiming the 2nd goal on what must have been an interminably long car ride home for his passengers! Only conceding one (a suspicion of offside - ‘keep up Lino’), possibly too many drag backs from our midfield at times, but a defensive unit who were outstanding helped us to the 2-1 win.

Credit to the ‘Elite’ team in the second match against the Schools 1st XI, arguably the strongest side we’ve put out at the fixture for some years, who dug in to defend stoically in the 2nd half, and who might have benefited from some tactical substitutions late on, only for Coach Goldy to discover that his ‘bench’ had all cleared off for an early shower and departure for a beer.

The side went ahead early on when a great run from the right back, led to a shot which drew a fumble from the Canford Keeper, allowing Ollie Bolton to tap in to an empty net. The side went two up when from a corner, the ball was cleared only as far as Chris Watney on the edge of the box who slipped a clever pass through to the ever silky Sam Lanahan who made no mistake.

And it could have been 3-0 before half time, when the Canford keeper rushed out only to fluff his clearance. Miss-kicking the ball, it spun towards Watney near the halfway line who shot first time… The ball evaded the defence and dribbled towards the empty net… Only for the keeper to heroically make amends and chase back the full forty five yards to clear the ball from the line at the very, VERY last moment. Where’s goal line technology when you need it?!

Old legs understandably tired in the second half and when Canford pulled one back - with a stunning curler in to the far top corner - with just ten to go, they had all the momentum. The Elite squad did a sterling job in seeing the game out.

Post match, Corinthian Spirit awards were given to a few players - on a day when sportsmanship was apparent in abundance.

Chris Watney alluded in his post-match words that these school matches were the bedrock of how Corinthian-Casuals Football Club came to such eminence nearly 150 years ago, so we can all feel pride in being a small part of the club’s unique history.

This fixture can’t claim to stretch back quite that far, but it does appear that our efforts over a decade might have rekindled part of what, in recent years, looked as if it had run its course. A few matches are being brought back in 2027, mostly in the London & SE way, but this one looks to be a permanent fixture. There’s also a possibility for games at Bryanston & Sherborne schools if there was interest in doing so. I’ll let you know in due course.

Not much more from me this year, only to thank you all, and Goldy especially for his recruitment network, and to tentatively suggest that we do it all again next year.

Cheers,

Fred Pennell
Chairman of the Dorset Branch

Legends XI
Fred Pennell
Ben Smith
Simon Atkins
Colin Randall GK
Ben Giles
Charlie Howard
Graham Cole
Joe Sadler
Ben Ratcliffe
Peter Thorne
John Walter
Jonny Badminton
Nathan Hunt
Steve Trickey

Elite XI
Mark Ormerod GK
Ross Mills
Ollie Bolton
Ant Bolton
Dave Gorvin
Steve ‘Taffy’ Richardson
Calum Ormerod
Ben Reiffer
Chris Watney
Sam Lanahan
Lawrence Waters
James Goldsmith (manager)

Casuals WIN the cup!

Thank you so much to everyone who came and played their part yesterday… We were exceptional! 😊👏🏻

The Brian Wakefield Trophy is a tradition that began on Brian’s retirement after 40 years running the side and when Chris Watney and Joe Parker decided to found a cup in his honour, between his old University and the club he loves.

The history between Oxford and Corinthian-Casuals Football Club goes right back to the clubs founding years - when the club was made up entirely of Oxford and Cambridge graduates who would go on to shape the planets favourite pastime. And this year, the cup included a third team, from France, Le Harve AFC - the oldest club in France who themselves were founded by a small group of Oxford Alumni in 1872!

In the first game between ourselves and Oxford we looked really impressive. Ed Kisaalu and Gavin Cartwright at the back stroked the ball around brilliantly. Dan Edwards, Louis Gregory and Gavin Hall in the middle were a brilliant combo… And the boys up front ran their defence ragged. We well deserved the 1-0 victory.. With Louis Gregory scoring low in to the bottom corner from the edge of the box. And it could have been more… First, with Lester hitting the post, shortly before limping out with an unfortunate injury. And second, when Gavin Hall hit a stunning 35 yard volley which dipped over the keeper, smashing the underside of the bar… The ball bounced down on to the line and out - the effort deserved a goal!

In the second game, Le Harve beat Oxford in a hotly contested match. Joe Parker at the centre of things. Le Harve sneaked ahead mid-way through the game and then knicked a second late in injury time, that saw them needing only a draw against ourselves, to win the cup on goal difference. Casuals had to win the final match to save the trophy from leaving these shores!

In the final game between ourselves and Le Harve, we started with experience in the middle, in the shape of the ever youthful Fred Pennell who with Gavin and Ed behind him and Gavin Hall and Louis in front, commanded the centre of the park masterfully. The game swung on a heroic save by debutant goalkeeper, Sammy Parker, Joe’s son. From a Le Harve corner, Sammy had to throw himself to the left to save a fantastic goalbound header. Tipping the ball on to the post, he was relieved to see the ball rebound straight back in to his arms… That was the last real Le Harve chance. It was an outstanding save.

The winning goal came from a lovely ball by the Casuals right winger, Lee, who from a more central position, clipped it in to Marcus who chested it down before prodding it home from close range for the victory, the cup was coming home!

With five minutes left, Casuals kept yet another clean sheet with a really impressive all round team display. John Gregory came on for Brazilian, Tomas Rosolino… Aleix and Lee fought on the wings with Dan Edwards putting out fires in the centre - and that was that. The day was ours.

A massive thank you to Joe Parker for organising much of the day and for footing the hospitality costs..! ItOxford University Association Football Cluby we’ll see Le Harve again, at their annual 7 aside summer tournament on June 7th!

Thanks again to everyone else who came along. Hope injuries are healing… for Rich Austin, Lester and Rich Hall!

Thank you too, to Oxford University Association Football Club for their usual generous and exemplary hospitality. The dinner at St Hilda’s college was fantastic with really interesting speeches and for the drinks afterwards at the legendary St Vincent’s as well… all very special for us to be a part of.

Corinthian-Casuals, Brian Wakefield Trophy holders once more!

Squad : S.Parker, Shackleton, Cartwright, Kisaalu, R. Hall, Edwards, G. Hall, L. Gregory, Aleix, Boniface, Marcus, Austin, Lee, Rosolino, J. Gregory, Pennell - Manager of the month : C. Watney

Epsom College 2nd XI 1 vs 2 Corinthian-Casuals Schools XI

As the old line goes, this season Schools XI fixtures have been like London busses, you wait and wait and then two come along at once!

After months in hibernation, just three days after the defeat at Westminster, once more the clubs Schools XI were walking out to play at Epsom College - thank you to everyone who managed to make it to both games, they were a test of our rusting bodies!

In part necessitated by the historic M25 closures as well as the injuries we sustained on Wednesday, the side was a patch work of the old and new. And we were delighted to welcome three Under 18 players from the Corinthian-CasualsYouth Section, to help give us some additional (and much needed) fresh legs. Hopefully the lads - Ted, Harry and Rahul - benefitted from playing alongside former Corinthian-Casuals Football Club First XI captains such as Dave Roberts and Chris Horwood.

The game, against the Epsom 2nd XI - as the Epsom 1st XI have three upcoming cup finals - started fast. On a surprisingly bobbly pitch, each side struggled to retain possession for any significant period and in the opening, frantic exchanges, the Casuals’ striker, Lester Boniface went down with a pulled groin after only a minute… It was a less than perfect start!

However slowly the Casuals began to take control, little by little. Marcus Bell, working with Rahul up front, benefitted from the flair of both Harry Cooksley and Lee Doyle on the wings. The new midfield partnership of Dan Edwards and Craig Moore made for a dogged foundation from which the rest could play… The team was starting to take shape.

Playing with two traditional wide men in Cooksley and Doyle, the side managed to get some joy down the flanks. With Marcus Bells obvious height advantage in the box meaning nearly every cross delivered was causing panic amongst the Epsom defence.

And this was how the first goal arrived. A lovely piece of hold up play by Marcus drew a couple of defenders in… Turning in the inside right channel, he shaped to cross only to then, at the last moment, stab the ball out to Doyle on the right wing. The winger took a couple of touches, composed himself before sending a delightful ball across the box, over the crowd in the goal mouth and towards the on rushing left winger, Harry Cooksley. Running on to it, the ball fell perfectly for the young winger who with his eyes widening, dispatched a left footed volley beautifully in to the far corner of the net, past the diving keeper. It was a well worked and deserved goal. 1-0 Casuals.

The first half played out with not much else to concern either goalie. Dan Smith had little in the way of saves to make and his handling was only really called in to action when catching his cap, that threatened to fly off as he ran to prevent a corner. Chris Horwood used all his experience to marshal the defence with the Under 18s captain, Ted Coumbe sat comfortably alongside him.

At half time, changes were made and the midfield engine room was replenished with fresh working parts - keen were the side to keep winning the battle in the middle. Jamie White and Andy Southam came on for Dan Edwards and Craig Moore whilst Dave Roberts replaced the impressive Will Shackleton at right back.

The game continued much as the first half had ended. Marcus Bell and Rahul up front caused Epsom all sorts of problems - whilst the midfield, at times outnumbered, remained competitive, supported by the strong cast behind them of Roberts, Coumbe, Horwood and Read… A most solid of bases!

Epsom though, with twenty minutes to go, managed to find a way to equalise. Nothing more than a long, hopeful ball was tossed in to the box which caused confusion. There was a suggestion of a push in to the back of Horwood - perhaps Dan Smith could have come to collect it? Either way, the ball was allowed to bounce seven yards out with no Casuals man anticipating what would happen next - which was that an Epsom player smashed it home with ease past Smith. Somewhat against the run of play, it was 1-1. Twenty to go.

As all this played out, off the field, I must confess that a car had arrived beside the pitch with a tea urn inside… From which a young Epsom student appeared, offering everyone along the touchline a fresh brew! So I apologise if details from herein remain somewhat blurred - 10/10 for hospitality though Epsom!

The winning goal was a wonderful move however. As the distracted reporter was blowing a little cool air over his tea, he looked up only to see the finest pass that the full back, Will Shackleton's played in years. From right back, Shackleton curled a beautiful left footed ball down the line, over the stranded Epsom left backs leap and directly in to the path of Lee Doyle, who was now free on the right wing. Doyle, who’d had a fantastic game, looked up and whipped the ball across to Marcus Bell in the middle. The striker met the ball perfectly and placed his header back across goal, past the flailing goalkeeper for the win. 2-1 Casuals.

There wasn’t much time left. Marcus Bell had run himself in to the ground - the striker coming off for the closing minutes with Dan Edwards going back in to midfield, creating a 4-5-1 - attempting to close up shop, park that proverbial bus from earlier and protect the Casuals lead!

At full time, having managed to see out the victory, there was a real sense of happiness and accomplishment that we’d managed to record a win again at last! With the depleted fixture list, it only ever gets harder and whilst not the sole aim of these afternoons - an occasional victory never does any harm to our cause! To a man, everyone had played their part and done the club proud.

The “Corinthian Spirit” polo shirt was then awarded to Epsoms impressive captain, Finn - before the side headed to a private dining room in the school’s main building for some food and drink. The afternoon was fittingly capped off by a moving speech by the clubs patriarch, David Harrison, who said a few words on his own history with the club and stating the importance of maintaining the Schools XI. With the Under 18 boys all still in attendance for the meal - they listened in awe as David told of how his own connection to the club began all the way back in 1953! Surely something that was hard to comprehend for the boys who would’ve only have been born, post 2005!

So a wonderful afternoon for everyone involved - and hopefully it’ll not be the last we see of this class of 2024… Possibly one more date with Sutton Grammar can be arranged..? There’s life in these old dogs yet!

Thank you to everyone for your efforts.

Squad: Smith, Shackleton, Horwood, Coumbe, Read (C), Rahul, Edwards, Moore, Cooksley, Bell, Boniface, Doyle, Roberts, White, Southam

It was very special to have Tomás involved on Wednesday. Vai Corinthians!

Westminster 5 vs 1 Corinthians

The Corinthian-Casuals Schools XI travelled to Westminster on Wednesday for the first of only two schools fixtures this season.

Vincent Square was the venue, the remarkable plot of land in the heart of central London that’s been scene to many historic events… Would the days game be yet another chapter in the squares esteemed history?

A mid-week afternoon match always poses an availability problem and at kick off the side only had 11 players that were kitted and warmed up. The four subs, scrambling to be ready stuffed laptops away, hung up on important phone calls and set up the customary “out of office” email replies - we thank everyone for their commitment to the cause!

Having not had a game all year, rustiness to the sides play was an obvious feature of the opening exchanges. There were new faces aplenty too as everyone worked to get to know one another and remember just how the game should be played on what was a weather battered and bobbly pitch.

The first twenty minutes passed without much incident. Casuals tried to play a bit of football - Westminster looked a threat but caused little to concern the debutant keeper, Barnaby Slater.

In truth, Casuals could have gone ahead in the early moments when Lester Boniface was rolled in on the edge of the box but with the ball bobbling as it approached his left foot - the shot ended up somewhere in Pimlico, rather than top-bins-you-know.

The first real mistake in a defence well marshalled by Mark Read and Lewis Malcolm unfortunately came when Brazilian left back, Tomas Rosolino got caught on the ball. The journalist & author, who wrote a Portuguese language, “History of Corinthian-Casuals” in 2021 will be relieved he didn’t capture this moment for eternity amongst its pages! Caught by the press of the rapid right winger, Tomas had the ball stolen from him as he attempted to turn away from the young forward… Once away from the full back, there was no catching the Westminster winger and he dispatched a shot past Slater for the opening goal. It was unfortunate for the side and full back, who didn’t deserve it.

Honourably, Tomás said afterwards that he could have brought the player down as the winger raced clear - but thought better of it, with the "Corinthian Spirit" in mind!

What happened after that was ten minutes where the side allowed their heads to drop. And as a consequence, Westminster pounced, their tails up! The score leaped to an unsightly 4-0 at half time to the home team. The Schools XI truly deserved better - everyone had worked hard and done well, reinforcements were necessary.

Changes were made at half time, with this coming Saturdays game in mind. Replacing Mark Read, Dave Roberts came on at centre back for only his second game after having hit the milestone age of 50. Meanwhile replacing Lester Boniface up top was Dominic Thelen, a recent signing after his impressive display for Oxford, the last time out. James Murphy came on for Rosolino while the injured Ahmed hobbled off, for the ever sprightly Joe Parker. “Let’s just win the second half” was the cry.

And duly, Charlie Kuhn, Martin Dixon and Joel Parker started to take back some control in midfield. And with the willing running of the exuberant Thelen, flanked by Andy Durnford and former First XI stalwart, Dave Hodges - Casuals posed a real danger to the Westminster backline.

The Casuals goal saw the front three combine wonderfully. Thelen, who took players on for fun all half, twisted and turned before sliding a clever pass into Durnford in the inside left channel. Durnford then deceived everyone with a clever dummy, leaving the ball to roll through his legs and between two bewildered defenders, releasing the overlapping Dave Hodges’ run that seemingly only Durnford had seen. Now alone, one on one with the keeper, Hodges stayed calm and slotted the ball away with ease at the near post for a fantastic Casuals goal. The side looked wholly rejuvenated. 4-1.

Casuals pressed and pressed for a second which ultimately was never to come. Quite how the Westminster keeper saved from another magnificent Dave Hodges chance, only he will know. As time slipped away and as the sunlight faded too, Westminster finally closed the scoring with a well worked fifth in the dying moments before the referee blew for the final time. Result: 5-1 to Westminster.

In history, Vincent Square was used as a death camp for Scottish soldiers in 1651. It was a burial site of victims of the Black Death in 1666. In the 18th century, it was even an arena for the blood sport of Bear baiting..! And it was one of the earliest recorded settings of a game called Cricket...

Whether Wednesdays game will be added to the list of such historic events is questionable. But the game did ensure that the clubs 142 year tradition of playing the Schools was kept alive in 2024… Maybe in Rosolino’s next instalment on the clubs history, we’ll be thankful that we at least played our collective part in that. The club thanks everyone who played.

Squad: Slater, Shackleton, Malcolm, Read, Rosolino, Dixon, Kuhn, Ahmed, Durnford, Boniface, Hodges, Roberts, Parker, Murphy, Thelen.