ROMANIA KEEP FLYING THE FLAG
Wolves on the hunt for more success
FROM the humble origins of Hackney Marshes to Step 4, it’s fair to say the FC Romania project has been an overwhelming success.
Now, the club formed in 2006 by Ion Vintilă – an immigrant to the UK from Romania – and consisting entirely of Romanian players, has hit all new heights.
Back-to-back victories over Hanwell Town and Bedfont Sports last week ensured the Cheshunt-based side registered their first points at Step 4 and propelled them up the Bostik South Central table as a result.
Since making their mark in the Sunday London Weekend League on the infamous Hackney Marshes, FC Romania have embarked on a phenomenal run, which has seen them rise through the Middlesex County League, Essex Senior League and towards the higher echelons of Non-League football.
“It has been a truly amazing journey.” admits Vintilă, who continues to fill the roles of manager and club chairman.
“It all started when I agreed to go and play football with my friends one weekend.
“They persuaded me to register us as a team and before long we were playing Sunday League football.
“We never thought we could take the club this far, to have played in competitions such as the FA Cup has been such a special experience.”
Colours
“Although we started with just Romanian players we now have two English guys in our squad and a Columbian.”
FC Romania’s rise has not gone unnoticed back in Vintilă’s homeland.
“When I go back to Romania people always want to know how the club is doing,” said the Wolves’ boss.
“They love to watch English football and they ask about what the standard of play is like here.
“Sometimes I sit back and feel really proud about what we have achieved. For example it is amazing when people from different parts of England buy our scarves or shirts.
“A moment which particular- ly stands out is when our team name was projected onto Wembley Stadium as part of an FA initiative before last season’s FA Cup final.
“To see that along with the arch being lit up with the colours of the Romanian flag is something that I will never forget.”
Following the success of the senior team, plans are now in motion for the club to expand and ingrain themselves ever more closely with the local community near their Cheshunt Stadium home. Over the summer, Vintilă helped to launch an ambitious project to create an academy team made up of local youngsters.
Stamina
He explained: “We want to involve ourselves more with the community and felt that creating an academy was the best way to do this. Hopefully, as the academy becomes more popular we can build on it and progress even further.”
Although the Wolves have defied expectations by achieving success in such a small space of time, the ambitious Vintilă is not one to ease up in his pursuit to take the club as far up the Pyramid as possible, while also eyeing a first ever appearance in the FA Trophy this year.
“On occasion, playing with a name like ours has not been easy but we try not to let anything affect us,” Vintilă added.
“Playing in Step 4 has certainly been a big step up and it means that, at the age of 41, I don’t really have the stamina to play anymore!
“However, this is a special club and the lads we have are motivated purely by their love for the game.
“When I said we wanted to make it into Step 4 a few years ago I was told it would be too hard because of the strength of other teams – but we have made it here.
“If we can receive more funds by securing some a little more sponsorship then I know that anything is possible!”