Who We Are
Island Football Club (IFC) is a group of veterans but still enthusiastic football lovers. Once upon a time a group of friends decided to get together every Sunday afternoon to indulge in their love for the beautiful game. Come rain, come shine, Sunday afternoon was sure to witness a soccer game. Before long they were joined by other lovers of the game and the guys moved the venue to the Syrian Club. The weekly Sunday game became so popular that any aspiring player HAD to arrive at the pitch, a full 30 minutes before game time to ensure he would get a spot. The competition was fierce, the skills set…varied. Some players were very, very good, some not so much but that did not matter. What did matter was that everyone there was united in their love for playing the game.
As time went on, more people heard about the game at the Syrian Club and showed up to play, others just came to hang out. The weekly game had become part of the social calendar for the upwardly mobile, both male and female.
AThe club had only one official at the time, the Late Kunle Tejuosho (Lejay) who was the club’s book keeper and Secretary and as the club grew bigger in membership size; it became more rowdy and apparent that some structure was needed.
In 2002, some of the newer members decided to sit down and draft rules and regulations to govern their passion. The Club was then named ISLAND FOOTBALL CLUB and its first nominated Captain was Femi Solebo.
Over the years the club has sojourned from one pitch to another searching for the right combination of proximity to members, great playing conditions and of course, security. From Panasonic to Syrian Club, from Dowen College to Pinefield Montessori, from Lekki British International School to British International School and back to Syrian Club, the club has evolved. New members have come; old members have left either for work, to join other clubs or just stopped playing football altogether.
The Club settled in its current home at the Italian School in 2005 which also coincided with the club’s first Captain’s Cup, an annual, end of year, yearly event in which the Captain and Vice-Captain both form teams from the membership and play a highly charged, tension –filled but highly enjoyable match against each other.
The club has evolved over the years; it is now registered as a Trusteeship at the Corporate Affairs Commission. The club has also involved itself in some laudable charity initiatives to help the less privileged members of the society by playing charity matches to raise money and awareness for our community. Members have gotten married, had children and in fact some of these children now play against their Fathers on Sundays.
The club is indeed a microcosm of Nigerian Society. We boast of members that represent every region of our great country. It has not always been easy, not always been positive. There is no gathering of man on earth that has not known tragedy, anguish strife or negativity but after it is all said and done, Island Football Club(IFC) has endured and continues growing from strength to strength. And so shall it continue to do…..
