FDs close year in style with a goal bonanza, a Gregorio's masterclass, and an emotional revelation
Two fiercely contested battles, under a low December sun.
In what is likely to have been the last match of 2025, ten FDs gave everything they had, and more, to bring to life a fiercely contested battle.
Playing 5-a-side with large goals and a wide pitch is guaranteed to deliver plenty of goals, and so it was, with a total of 26 scored by both teams!
Oranges could count on a semi-pro goalkeeper with Hannes, who took on the tasks of both guarding the goal and anchoring the defence. Not an easy feat when your opponents include people such as Yuness, Diego and Bijan, but the German is not one to shy away from a challenge. In fact he was pretty much everywhere on the pitch. “A cross between Manuel Neuer and a flying Puma” was how Hossam (who for the most part was in goal for the Colours) defined him.
Still, the Colours had the better start, mostly thanks to an inspired Yuness, and went ahead by several goals, prompting calls for a player swap to rebalance.
Francesco had started well with the Oranges, scoring a goal from an impossible angle, but was neglecting his defensive duties. The Wittig father-son duo in charge of the Colours had no hesitations and agreed to give him (plus an undisclosed sum) to the other side in exchange for Federico, +30 years younger and much more prone to run up and down the field. A move that was going to change the course of the game.
Reinforced with Federico, and growing in confidence, the Oranges increased their goal tally and soon got the lead. The Colours were not helped by the lack of a professional goalkeeper, although Hossam had some great moments in goal, such as when he saved a brilliant bicycle kick by Federico that, if scored, could well have been chosen as goal of the season.
Tension grew in the second half, when there were two contentious referee decisions: first, a goal scored by Johannes with a long shot was disallowed due to the “no shots from your half” rule, although the lack of a clear halfway line left it open to interpretation. Minutes later, it was time for the Colours to get disappointed when one of their goals was ruled out because the ball had in fact ended up outside the net.
Controversies continued when Diego was fouled in the box. Lacking a clear shot in goal, the Italian rotated 90 degrees, turning his back to the goal and curled up to protect the ball. When Hannes pushed him back a couple of times, the Italian fell down and a penalty was inevitable, despite Hannes’ claim that his touch was little more than a gentle push. Diego converted the penalty with a powerful shot.
Minutes later, Hannes fouled Diego again on the edge of the box, but this time the referee awarded just a normal free kick, and no goal was scored.
Still, the Oranges continued to score, with Adam finding the net a record eight times, a performance that helped him win the Man of the Match Award. At that point, a win for the Oranges was almost certain, and it was Johannes (who else?) to put the final word on the match, sealing the victory at 14-12 with his golden goal.
The previous Saturday (13 December) saw the Colours team prevail thanks to a masterclass by Gregorio (picture above with the Club mascotte).
The Italian delivered a performance of impressive intensity, from start to finish, covering every area of the pitch. He has been compared to Arsenal’s Calafiori, but such an analogy starts to seem diminishing for a player that shines not just in defence, but also in midfield and attack, almost effortlessly.
As a consummate performer, worthy of of an Academy award, he kept the best for the end. With the match in Golden Goal time and the score even, Gregorio initiated a play, gave the ball to Andrea on the left side and ran towards the box. Andrea’s long ball was too long for him but it fell perfectly to Francesco, who touched it with his head creating a perfect assist for Gregorio. With a move that would make Ronaldo envious, Gregorio flew into the air with his knee up and hit the ball with his head with the right precision and power to put it behind Tony.
Much more happened before that moment of brilliance. Ross scored his customary brace, Arman demonstrated why he was awarded Player of the Season at his school, Alessandro and Tony dived left and right to save countless shots, Hossam proved to possess the strength of Superman when he managed to unstuck two pieces of the goal that seemed to have been fused together.
The 7-side match was played under a lovely December sun, which, while nice, created long shadows on the pitch and made it occasionally difficult to play high balls. But there was also a strong emotional element in it.
Minutes before kick-off, Thomas casually confessed to his teammates that he has only six matches to play before retiring (as he plans to move back to Germany). A shocking revelation that left players, commentators and fans in tears.
The unassuming, ever-reliable German is a true pillar of the FD. His importance and contribution cannot be overstated, his ability to overcome injuries is legendary, not to mention his essential role of Chief Gardener, for which he is in line to receive an OBE from the Crown. The idea of not having him on the pitch on a weekly basis is hard to digest.
Still, the word retirement is not appropriate. Thomas is not hanging up his boots yet, merely loosening the laces. He has promised to return to London and pull on the FD shirt whenever he can.
Until then, the Club has formed a special committee to prepare a proper salute to one of its true giants. Because matches and scorelines are easily forgotten, but the spirit of love, friendship and camaraderie that holds FDs together lives on.
20 December 2025) ORANGES-COLOURS 14-12
COLOURS: Hossam, Bijan, Diego, Yuness, Francesco
ORANGES: Hannes, Johannes, Adam, Federico, Andrea
13 December 2025) ORANGES-COLOURS
COLOURS: Alessandro, Francesco, Jonathan, Gregorio, Andrea, Thomas
ORANGES: Tony, Hossam, Bijan, Ross, Julien, Jonathan, Arman