Chiswick School v Old Meadonians FC.

Celebrating 95 years of tradition

95 years ago, a group of boys who had recently graduated from Chiswick School decided that they wanted to continue to play football together as they had during their school days. The names of 11 players (no substitutes in those days) were written in the back of a school exercise book, and an inaugural match was arranged against the 1st team of the school they had just left.

That match, played on November 19th 1929 was the first game in the history of Old Meadonians Football Club – as the old boys named themselves. Chiswick Grammar school, as it was then, was colloquially known as ‘The School in the Meadows’ due to its proximity to Dukes Meadows, where Old Meads still play today.

In honour of that first match, Chiswick School and Old Meadonians play an annual fixture, which this year was held on March 22nd. The game can be a hit and miss affair, depending on how many senior players Old Meads can assemble on a Friday lunchtime from their 7 regular teams, and depending on how strong a side the school can field based on other commitments. This year’s game proved to be very even – finishing 3-3 – although the result doesn’t adequately reflect the excitement of the match.

The school fielded their Year 12 team who have had a strong season, and are greatly improved by the presence in their ranks of several boys who are part of Chiswick’s partnership with Brentford FC – training under the guidance of Brentford’s excellent youth coaches whilst completing their studies in years 12 and 13. Old Meads fielded a side which made up for in experience (ie. old age) what it lacked in pace and raw talent compared to the schoolboys.

In what was a classic ‘game of two halves’, Chiswick were vastly superior in the first half, controlling possession, playing out from the back with Borys looking like a young John Stones, and with wide midfielders toying with the Meads defenders who were struggling to get near the ball. Goals from Bradley, Ricardo and Taib – the last a spectacular strike from outside the box – were no more than was deserved – and Meads counted themselves lucky to only be 3-0 down at half time.

Following some direct and explicit encouragement from Captain James Clemens during the break, Meads emerged with renewed vigour for the second half, quickly pulling a goal back, and then a second to make the final 10 minutes interesting. Showing the ‘never-say-die’ attitude for which the club is known, Meads won a succession of corners, the last of which was headed home by Meads stalwart Rob Knowles only seconds before the final whistle.

Overall a very enjoyable match played in a competitive but friendly spirit. Hopefully many of the current Chiswick school players will want to continue to play football when they graduate, and will come to Old Meadonians – the club that was founded to provide a home for them by their forebears nearly a century ago.

April 3, 2024