#JustTalk - Grassroots football stories

Another week, another grassroots legend. This time, Rob and Anees are joined by Clapton CFC Manager, Geoff Ocran, to bring episode 21 of #JustTalk. From being a fan favourite as a player, to managing the team he once captained... Geoff is the man at the helm of a club with a phenomal grassroots story of their own. Just how does Geoff deal with the weight of managing a team with 100s of Clapton CFC fans in attendance every home game, and 1000s following the team worldwide? It seems like Geoff doesn't just "deal with it" but he thrives as he talks of the important club values and a changing culture in grassrotos football that puts other priorities ahead of the game itself. It's amazing to hear how the community work of Clapton CFC inspires Geoff in his role has manager, something he has taken to his league and cup winning double-winning manager's role with church-league side, ANM FC, to new heights too. Social Media Us: @csmlondonfc (Twitter and Instagram) Rob: @robcrane93 (Twitter), @robert_crane93 (Instagram) Anees: @mullahcorner (Twitter and Instagram) Geoff: @mr_ocran (Twitter and Instagram) #CSM #JustTalk

Rob and... wait what? No Anees this week. Rob is on his own as he returns from a busy period at work to serve up episode 20 of #JustTalk. This time we invite Alam Zaman, professional sports photographer on to the show to talk to him about his work in grassroots football. Just what inspired Alam to get involved in sports photography? From being a participant in sport growing up, he realised as he grew older that there were no pictures of him playing sport. He had an idea to do it for others and followed a passion from 2007 to get shots of people in action in grassroots football. It's amazing to hear Alam speaking about giving a service that makes people playing football feel great when they see pictures of themselves playing. What a unique perspective on grassroots football and a conversation about the power of the photograph in the game we love to play. Social Media Us: @csmlondonfc (Twitter and Instagram) Rob: @robcrane93 (Twitter), @robert_crane93 (Instagram) Anees: @mullahcorner (Twitter and Instagram) Alam: @360fisheye (Twitter), @azimages7345 (Instagram) #CSM #JustTalk

It's episode 3 of the #JustTalk season and we invite April McGrath to give her Grassroots story to Rob and Anees. She first came on board the City East management team to help with the admin side of things but now she is the first aider, kit washer, and more recently joined the Hackney and Leyton Football League management committee. Her story is one of a fired up City East side on their way to success but a side the values the love of the game more than the win itself. As one of the few female volunteers visible on a Sunday morning at Hackney Marshes, April talks of the respect she has for many clubs and her enjoyment of the inclusive atmosphere she revels in. Despite the disappointment of not completing the last 2 seasons due to covid, City East look a sure bet to finish as league champions and be promoted to the Premier Division. However, the story of April and City East is all about enjoyment. Taking a love for the game onto a pitch you can leave all other troubles behind. Social Media Us: @csmlondonfc (Twitter and Instagram) - Rob: @robcrane93 (Twitter), @robert_crane93 (Instagram) - Anees: @mullahcorner (Twitter and Instagram) - April: @cefcsecretary (Twitter), @aprilmcgrath1989 (Instagram) - #CSM #JustTalk

Season 3 of #JustTalk continues this week, with Aaron Hunwicks to give his Grassroots story to Rob and Anees! His Chadwell Heath Spartans side are a league rival of our own CSM London, but such is the relationship between the two clubs, we'll be cheering them on in a nailbiting title deciding run in for the Essex Alliance League Senior Division title. Aaron's Grassroots story is one of family, commitment, and motivation to be both a player and manager of this new football club. Having founded the club with family members, the Hunwicks continue to push the Spartans up the league ladder having reached Step 7 status earlier this season. They are not resting there though. Aaron dreams of seeing the Spartans enter the non-league realms of Step 6 and Step 5 football where he once played. And it was from the frustrations he felt at that level, where his determination to succeed with his own club was born. Social Media Us: @csmlondonfc (Twitter and Instagram) - Rob: @robcrane93 (Twitter), @robert_crane93 (Instagram) - Anees: @mullahcorner (Twitter and Instagram) - Aaron: @1_hunz (Twitter and Instagram - #CSM #JustTalk

We kick off Season 3 of #JustTalk with Maamoon Khan to give his Grassroots story! Someone who has played with, been coached by, and played against our chief host, Rob, and his new co-host, Anees! This story goes back to his semi-professional playing days with London APSA and Sporting Bengal where Maamoon tasted both the highs and lows of playing. But such is his positive attitude, he always made himself a person to want to be around. That trait has made him such a well-loved team member for his current Saturday side, FC Baresi, and Sunday side, East London Celtics. Maamoon tells us how playing with his brother is a big motivator and that feeling of a community-family setup is so important in making him love the game he has been playing for so long. Social Media Us: @csmlondonfc (Twitter and Instagram) Rob: @robcrane93 (Twitter), @robert_crane93 (Instagram) Anees: @mullahcorner (Twitter and Instagram) Maamoon: @MrMk_PE (Twitter), @thenamesmk (Instagram) #CSM #JustTalk