Fenix Trophy, Group A
Tuesday 28 November 2023
Played at Queen Elizabeth II Stadium
Ground Tick #461
Some introductions needed methinks. Enfield Town play in the Isthmian League Premier Division. That is Step 3 of the English National League System. Opponents, BK Skjold play in the Danmarkserrien Pulje 2. The fifth tier in the Danish football pyramid. BK Skjold are from Østerbro in Copenhagen and were formed in 1915. Pierre-Emile Kordt Højbjerg, currently at Spurs, started his career at BK Skjold. They lay claim to be Denmark's biggest football club in terms of the number of members.
In turn, Enfield Town lay claim to being the country's first fan owned club. And that's Enfield Town - not Enfield Borough (of the Eastern Counties First Division South), nor Enfield FC (of the Isthmian League North). Indeed, Town were formed (in 2001) as a breakaway club from Enfield FC. Formed by supporters disillusioned with the Enfield regime.
And, I'd better introduce the reason these two teams are in action tonight. That's the Fenix Trophy. Which I'll describe as a European Competition for non-league clubs. It's recognised by UEFA, but you don't really qualify for it, it's more a case of applying for it, being invited, that sort of thing. This year, twelve teams are at it. Split into four groups of three. Group winners qualifying for the Final Four tournament.
Enfield Town FC (London, England)
Prague Raptors FC (Prague, Czech Republic)
KSK Beveren (Beveren, Belgium)
FC United of Manchester (Manchester, England)
FC Oslo (Oslo, Norway)
Venus Bucuresti (Bucarest, Romania)
Krakow Dragoons FC (Krakow, Poland)
BK Skjold (Copenaghen, Denmark)
Lewes FC (Lewes, England)
Gilla FC (Helsinki, Finland)
Vinsky FC (Paris, France)
Llantwit Major FC (Llantwit Major, Wales)
Three English teams and one Welsh team join a host of European cousins. This is the third edition. Eight teams in 2021/22. With FC United of Manchester beating Prague Raptors 2-0 in the final in Rimini (oooofffftttt).
In 2022/23, tonight's protagonists BK Skjold were champions. Beating Prague Raptors 3-0 in the final. The final held in the fucking San Siro stadium in Milan. This year is the first year that any British clubs other than FC United of Manchester have entered.
So, the Fenix Trophy. A European Tournament for non league clubs. Tonight it's the current holders from Denmark. Who won the trophy in the San Siro. And it's fucking marvellous.
A fighting victory for the home team in front of a boisterous and partisan crowd, with a couple of Danish flags out there. And some Third and Third and Third scarves. Gotta forgive them that surely.
Town brought it home with two very late goals. 579 live souls announced and you couldn't get anywhere near the bar. Appropriately, the Carrier Bag Firm had pre-loaded.
The Cricketers
Chase Side Pl, Enfield EN2 6QA
A lovely, well run and welcoming place. One of McMullen & Sons gaffs. Four of their own on Cask. And three Rivertown “imprints” on Keg.
McMullen & Sons (Hertford), IPA on Cask at 4.8%
A very traditional English Cask IPA. Leans almost to an English Bitter. It's a bit anesthetic. With some floral hops upfront.
Rivertown Brewing, IPA on Keg at 5.6%
Mosaic and Rakau Hops. US-05 yeast. Delivering a great, no nonsense, straight ahead British Keg IPA. The bitter comes in slowly, and lingers, after a bit of apricot.
Carlsberg would have been appropriate to celebrate BK Skjold I suppose. But Fuck That.
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