Cries of 'Boss! Boss! Boss!' ring out from the pitch during a fiercely contested football match in a London park. Few names are used, as most players only met moments before kick-off. They were united by an app that is revitalizing grassroots football.
Solving the Dropout Problem
Footy Addicts was created to address a common frustration for amateur players: late cancellations that lead to unbalanced teams and ruined games. The app connects strangers eager to play, allowing them to step in at short notice after a dropout.
Raul-Julian Grelet, 28, and Jacob Jae Ellis, 23, known as RJ and JJ, met on the pitch today. Grelet organized their match through Footy Addicts, a platform he has used since the start of the year. He calls it a 'marvel to this community,' hosting matches to give people a chance to play and improve.
'I do it because I know what it’s like to go into a game when you’re shy and you don’t want to play and you feel like you’re doing badly. These sessions are open for you to just come and have a kickabout – make some friends and get some exercise,' Grelet said.
Founder's Vision
That is exactly what Footy Addicts CEO Konstantinos Gkortsilas intended. When he moved to the UK in 2006 from Larissa, Greece, he sought two things: to play football and build a community. Sunday League football required too much time and upfront payment, and he didn't know enough people to organize his own games.
He started using meetup.com to find players, and as the community grew, he launched Footy Addicts in 2013. The platform now has over 323,000 registered players across the UK. Gkortsilas saw the impact firsthand: 'I was coming out of games, meeting people, chatting with them, and it gave me this feeling of accomplishment. You’re giving a little bit to people’s lives, making them a bit happier. For me that was the biggest victory.'
Building Friendships
Two years ago, JJ Ellis returned to London after university, working in hospitality and seeking exercise. 'I don’t mind the gym but I don’t think it’s very nice or particularly human,' he said. He found Footy Addicts and started playing. At matches, he didn't feel the struggle to fit in that many face when new to a job, city, or country.
What began as a convenient way to ensure games happen has led to lasting friendships. Next year, JJ will attend the wedding of someone he met through the platform.
Addressing Loneliness and Inclusivity
Loneliness, especially among young men, is a problem Footy Addicts helps solve. It also creates space for women to play more football. Stephanie Benneli, 33, participates in a longstanding game in Highbury. Growing up in Brazil, she played football throughout her youth, but opportunities dried up when she moved to London.
After an eight-year gap, she discovered the service and rekindled her passion. 'If I’m struggling – when I’ve been through difficult moments, football is the only thing that really takes me out of my house. I don’t care if it’s drizzly, raining, if it’s snowing, I just go out and enjoy,' Benelli said.
As Grelet’s match winds down at Barnard Park, the next team gathers on the sidelines, introducing themselves, joking, and heckling players on the pitch. The mood is jovial, with friendships forming in real time.
