London Diplomatic Soccer League - Prince George's Playing Fields

London Diplomatic Summer League 

Prince George Playing Fields

Grand Drive

Raynes Park

London

SW20 9DY

Ground Number: 1439
Saturday 21st June 2025

Ireland 2-1 England JE
London Diplomatic Summer League

THE LONDON DIPLOMATIC SUMMER LEAGUE - A BRIEF HISTORY

There is very little information on the league online, but it appears to be a fork of the London Diplomatic Association. This organisation was set up in 1964 to promote business interests between various diplomats from across the globe who were based in London. According to the Irish team's Facebook page, they have been competing for over 30 years across London. The side, Luistana Brazil, was established in 1993; this seems as likely a start date as any.

An embassy serves as a country's diplomatic mission in another country, acting as a central point for managing relationships and providing services to citizens abroad. It represents the interests of its home country and its citizens within the host nation, fostering communication and cooperation between the two governments. This would have been especially for the Irish who suffered terrible discrimination in the past, not helped by 'the troubles' in Northern Ireland.

THE TEAMS
 

LUSITANIA BRAZIL

Website - Facebook Page

The team was established in 1993. Lusitania is the former name for an area encompassing most of modern-day Portugal and a portion of western Spain.

IRELAND
Facebook Page - Instagram

Established in the early 1990s, this is the football team of the Irish Embassy in London, known as 'Ambasáid na hÉireann' in their native language. They are the sole provider of regular updates on social media.

No information found for: Afghanistan, Ecuador, England Junction Elite, England Newcastle, Spain, Greece, Ukraine, or Nigeria.

MY VISIT

This Saturday would start a new season with me, but with the FA being petulant bitches about playing football in June, it was a challenge. Number one choice would have been Haverfordwest County v Penryncoch, and I tried to steer Colin's radar that way. However, he was not the sharpest tool in the box and stuck resolutely to going with Essex-based Dan and Richard. He assumed his constant badgering would see him end up at Barry Town United for a Cardiff Airport game. But Dan does not work like that. Barry was way off route on the Essex guys' trip to Llantwit Major. He would have to make do with Taffs Well, an amazing club but one that had just been relegated to the Ardal South West. Given Colin's penchant for completing leagues, it made no sense for him to go to a league he'd only ticked one ground off. But then, who knows what goes on between those two ears? Admittedly, Haverfordwest was a long, old trek and very pricey at around £54 each once you considered car costs. But it was far cheaper and easier than doing it on the train. That said, Dan asked for £30 to Taffs Well, and he'd have to spend a fiver getting to the meeting point at Rickmansworth. Given his reluctance, I had a couple of backups in place. The first choice was a basic venue for the game between Ireland and England in the Embassy League. This would be a cheap day out, and I'd started a blog as I'd intended to visit last season before a postponement. Backup number two was a revisit to Bishops Cleeve for their Vets game against Manchester United. It would be a pricey one, but Mick, a Manchester United superfan, had offered a lift. It'd be a late decision, whatever, as things tend to get postponed at this time of year.

It was a good trip back from Nottingham after meeting some good friends. Flixbus had been impeccable, and on the way home, I had a double seat to myself, heaven with it being so hot. It was a good journey, despite yet another squalid lay-by to change drivers. This was quicker than expected, and we were at Finchley Road 25 minutes early. I missed the Amersham train by ten minutes, but was still getting back half an hour early. The standard over-saturation of Uxbridge trains compared to everywhere else was present. I was back home around 10 and considered a nightcap to send me to sleep. However, I opted to go to bed straight away, although it took me ages to drop off. As a consequence, it was a groggy Sunday and a typically busy one at work. I was in bed by 7, and that made for a nicer Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday were a bit of a slog due to being affected by hay fever, but some meds soon sorted that out, even if I did feel knackered. The latter also brings the Premier League fixtures, and keen to tick off Everton, I earmarked the game against Aston Villa on 13th September as the best time to go, bearing in mind that I have a rare Sunday off after.

By Thursday, I was feeling a lot better, although the afternoon was spent taking my car in for a manufacturer's recall. This took a few hours, but gave me peace of mind and was free. Friday was an absolute slog at work, and I was so glad when home time came. I was still awaiting confirmation of the Ireland v England game, so wasn't in the happiest of moods as I like things to be confimed. Thankfully, that came through at 2.30, the Irish Embassy Football Team as great as ever for providing details. If you had told me that I'd be this excited at visiting a random field when I started groundhopping, then I'd have said you were mad, but my modus operandi and priorities have changed greatly. Rather than finalising this blog, I looked ahead to next week and implemented plans. A long long long-awaited trip to Aberystwyth could be on the cards, but I'll talk about that when the time comes. For now, I found out more details for the game tomorrow and firmed up plans. I kept it fairly light, booze wise and got into bed around 9. It was a scorcher weather-wise, but I had nearly three hours lie-in compared to a work day.

I awoke at my normal work time on the day, so no extra sleep at all. After watching TV in bed for a couple of hours, I got up, had breakfast and left at 7.15. After parking up near Amersham station, I had plenty of time for the 7.41 to Marylebone. It was pleasant at this time of day, but by the time I'd got into London, the temperature has noticeably risen. I walked across to Edgware Road, making the tube to Wimbledon at the last minute, but now I was ten minutes ahead of time. This meant longer to relax in Wetherspoons 409, The Wibbas Down Inn once I'd got to Wimbledon. Less than ten minutes away from Wimbledon station, it was an excellent Wetherspoons for a breakfast muffin, an energy drink and a pint of Black Dragon for £6.63. There was also welcome news of the return of the Cider festival in late July, which I will be partaking in for sure. Even after that, I was late leaving, but in a good mood. It was 35 minutes walk to the ground, I opted to walk for exercise as the train only saved ten minutes. I met a number of other hoppers, including Bob from the Non League Matters forum. Just people enjoying a wonderful hobby that is verboten by the FA in June.

The teams were both there, which was great to see and I'd not rule out a revisit for a double. The game kicked off at 10.40 but I was in no rush. Within two minutes, Ireland were ahead, the #7 lobbing home from wide on the right. England fought back well and forced a great save out of the Ireland keeper amongst a flurry of chances. I nicknamed the England 26 'Akinfenwa' due to a vague resemblance to the ex-Wycombe hero. The big man was a brick wall for England but was taken off. Ireland fathomed a chance on the break on 15 minutes, but inexplicably, it was skewed wide from ten yards. On 42 minutes, England equalised, a lucky penalty for handball I thought. The game calmed down in the second half but on 65 minutes, Ireland retook the lead, a shot into the top corner from 20 yards, again by #7. That was it in a good competitive game.

THE GROUND

PRINCE GEORGE'S PLAYING FIELDS is a basic but pleasant venue. Just a set of goalposts. It is conveniently located to Raynes Park station, just a seven-minute walk away. The area has facilities and Raynes Park Vale FC as well as lots of parking. A very good Spoons at Wimbledon is a bus or a 35-minute walk away.