12/11/2023
A celebration of football beckoned on the last weekend of October as first time hosts Harrow, welcomed their arch rivals yet eternal friends from Reading, for Season 2 of the GWR Derby, played this time at the Cranford Community College, Hounslow.
For Harrow captain Dhrubo, it was more than a Derby match, BUT a celebration of the diaspora’s involvement, this time on a football field and not on the usual cultural platform. As he reiterated, "For expats generally used to booking artificial turfs to play 5, 6 or 7 a side matches, this first-of-a-kind 11-a-side football derby on grass, between a motley crew of Indians football enthusiasts residing in diverse places in UK, is the true icing on the cake, so what if one of the teams won and the other lost."
Reading Royals captain Shuvo said, "It was time for us to visit Harrow for the yearly 11 a-side Football Derby. This match always brings a unique blend of friendship and football rivalry between the two cities. We started as holding champions and were hoping to repeat the same result. But Harrow had kept enough surprises up their sleeves to welcome us with a strong repulse and restrained us well. Well deserved win for Harrow. Big Thanks to Harrow friends for organising the match this year."
For the record, Hurricanes won Season 2 of the derby 3-1, taking home the spoils and bragging rights this year. For newcomer Addy it was baptism by fire, as he was the shining star scoring a brilliant hattrick, in a match that Harrow mostly dominated. Reading had their chances, of course, but the Harrow keeper and defence kept them at bay, till Subhajit scored a consolation penalty for them at the fag end of the match.
Dhrubo added that, "though the match is always played in good spirit, the competitiveness is never missing. We had lost after a tough fight last time, and this time settling scores was also playing on our minds 😁. However, winning and results place much lower in the pecking order, compared to the camaraderie and brotherhood that both the teams exude, and that's the key factor of the derby. Of course, we are happy to have won today, and we hope this Derby grows bigger and better, with every year of play."
As per the Derby tradition, the teams huddled for a post match party over snacks & beverages, with both teams looking forward to the next match up. It will be Reading's turn next and we look forward to the next edition, expectantly. Bring it on Season 3; till then let’s enjoy the match photos and videos.
