London’s International Fan Teams Bring Football Passion To Local Parks

On a mild Sunday in November, Russell Square bustles with people, but even in the middle of London’s constant movement, it is easy to feel alone. Kieran Duff captures this feeling perfectly as he walks toward the pitch, annoyed that he has forgotten his football socks for the day’s match. He hopes someone on the team has a spare pair, but once inside the changing room, it becomes clear no one does. Still, the room is full of warmth. Teammates from the Newcastle Supporters’ Club laugh, pull on their black and white jerseys, and talk about recent matches against Juventus and Inter Milan as if they were playing under the lights at St James’ Park.

For these players, the kits matter. Wearing the colours gives them a sense of identity and belonging that goes far beyond a casual Sunday league. Team captain Tom King says that when he puts on the Newcastle shirt, something shifts. A small part of his mind feels like he is representing his club for real, creating a connection he has not found with other teams he has played for. It is a reminder that football is as much about belonging as it is about skill.

A London Pitch Filled With Global Clubs

Just outside, players wearing vintage claret and blue come out to warm up. The ground is covered with leaves as a groundsman rushes to clear the pitch. This match at Coram’s Field is only one part of a busy day in the London Supporters’ League. Across the park, teams representing AC Milan, Genoa, Fiorentina, and Lazio prepare for their own fixtures. On other weekends the lineup includes Paris Saint Germain, Real Madrid, Lyon, Roma, Monza, and Panathinaikos. What makes the league unique is that every team plays in full club colours, creating the feeling of an international football festival held in the heart of London.

For players like Ludo Romagnoli, who represents his hometown club Modena before moving to Brazil and then the UK, the league is a source of enormous pride. His team recently added a star to their crest after winning the league for the first time. Wearing the kit and competing against other fan groups brings a deep sense of connection to the clubs they love from afar.

Pedro Aguilar from Real Madrid London says the best part of the competition is facing people who genuinely care about the club they represent. Every player brings a story about how they became a fan and what their team means to them. It is a meeting of cultures, backgrounds, and footballing histories, all converging on a simple London park.

How One Fan’s Search For A Match Became A Community

The league owes much of its existence to one man. Massimiliano Ciccone, a dedicated Lazio supporter, left Rome in 1998. Two years later, Lazio won the league for the first time in almost three decades, and he laughs at the timing, knowing he missed a historic season.

When he moved to London in 2013, he struggled to find a place to watch Lazio matches. Once he finally found a venue, more supporters began showing up. That was when he realised something important. Many people had left their home countries but still carried the passion of following their teams. The connection they once had in stadiums and hometown bars was gone, so they began rebuilding it in London with people who shared the same loyalty.

As the Lazio London Casuals grew, they became friendly with the AS Roma UK supporters. Despite the intense rivalry between the clubs back home, the two London groups had an idea. They suggested playing a derby match, unsure how it would unfold. Ciccone remembers being hesitant, unsure if the emotions of a derby would translate into tension.

But when the match finally happened, it was competitive and heated, yet respectful. No fights, no hostility, just passion. The experiment worked so well that the two groups decided to make it an annual tradition.

A League Built On Community, Friendship, And Football Love

What started as one supporter trying to watch his team has evolved into a flourishing league that brings people together from all over the world. Every match is a reminder of how sport can transcend borders and create community, even in a city as fast moving and isolating as London. For many players, these weekends offer more than football. They offer belonging, friendship, and the familiar comfort of cheering for a team that connects them to home.