Traveller/Roma Soccer

What is Traveller/Roma Soccer?

The first competition played was for Woodside Solidarity Cup, involving Haringey Travelling Peoples Team, All Roma from Hammersmith, the Woodside Wanderers and Sligo Rovers from Ealing in 2002.

Cliff Codona, chairman of the National Travellers Action, presented the cup at the Irish Travellers Heritage Day to the Sligo Rovers under l2s side.

On the 8th April 2003 in Epping Forest,Woodford Green, several Gypsy and Traveller football teams competed for the Gypsy Council Shield. Read more about the exciting matches by clicking here

Click here for a match report on the 2004 Gypsy Council Shield.

The shields, and replicas, were awarded by Gypsy Council chairman and Mayor of Castle Point Charles Smith. The shield, engraved with the name of the winning team, will kept in the Gypsy Council office at Aveley.

Football practice and entry in London youth competitions has been organized for sometime both by the TPT and the London-wide Roma Support Group. The RSP, chaired by Roza Kotowicz, has just appointed youth worker Kevin Morgan to take charge of Friday evening soccer sessions at the Harley Centre, East Ham.

"There's been a small start made but a lot of interest created," says Patrick Webb. "For the league we're thinking big. The enthusiasm is there - now we have to get organized and find the backing."