There were celebrations in Derbyshire earlier this month as The Deadly Elements discovered they had won their hundredth game as a Leisure Leagues team. However, beneath the surface of this remarkable achievement lies a story that goes far beyond the numbers.

The tale of Deadly Elements began a decade – and almost a quarter of a century of seasons – ago at the Cavendish Field Sports Association ground when a group of fathers, whose sons played together in a junior team, decided to unite for a casual game. Little did they know that this moment would be the genesis of a memorable journey that would span well over a decade.

Astoundingly, six of the original lads, namely Jamie Cutting, Aaron Cordin, David Greatorex, Matt Hatch, Gary Whitworth, and David Armshaw, featured in both the very first team photo and the most recent one (both above). Today, their legacy continues as they are joined by their own children, passing the torch to a new generation, the very children who were in the junior side. Notably, David’s son, Ben Greatorex, can be spotted second from the left in the larger group picture.

While skipper David Greatorex – a well-known face in town due to his postal route – acknowledges that they may be getting older, he affirms that the team will persist as long as they can, fueled by their collective love for the game and the cherished post-match visits to the local pub. Their commitment to maintaining the camaraderie and the social aspect of their weekly fixtures is unwavering.

David reckons that over the course of the past decade, Deadly Elements has seen approximately 40 players represent the team, each contributing their own unique flair. David highlights a couple of exceptional individuals beyond the regular faces, such as Lee Dawson, an integral part of the original lineup, and Rich Upright, who retired from the team in his 50s.

Amidst the countless Tuesday night encounters, filled with laughter and memorable incidents, David recalls one incident in particular that he is willing to single out Jamie Cutting for. ‘We were leading 2-0 against the top-ranked team at Cavendish when, with us barely holding on, they managed to pull one back. And then Jamie scored an outrageous own goal to level it; it was simply atrocious!’ he chuckled. ‘I am happy to name and shame!’

Despite their achievements and their current position as runners-up in division one of the league, Deadly Elements’ founder, Dave, expresses concerns about potential promotion. ‘I reckon we’re too old for that top league!’ he jests, understanding that the team’s true essence goes beyond competition.

Praising Deadly Elements’ contribution to the league, Greg Allen, the Area Manager, commended their dedication and community spirit. ‘They embody the essence of Leisure Leagues and the strong sense of camaraderie it fosters,’ he said warmly. Allen expressed hope that the team would continue to grace the league with their presence and accumulate even more victories in the future, stating, ‘Here’s to the next hundred wins!’

First photo: Starting back left, original photo: Jamie Cutting, Aaron Cordin, David Greatorex, Lee Dawson, Matt Hatch, Gary Whitworth, David Armshaw

New photo starting back left: Liam Ashton, Ben Greatorex, Richard Wright, Jack Young, Daniel Wheeldon, Aaron Cordin, Jamie Cutting Matt Hatch, David Armshaw, Gary Whitworth, David Greatorex

Has your team got a tale to tell? Teams can email their Leisure Leagues story to [email protected].