THE RISE OF SEDONS

CAM HOWE REPORTS ON THE SUNDAY LEAGUE YOUTUBERS NOW ATTEMPTING TO TAKE NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL BY STORM

- CAM HOWE

TEN years ago, a group of mates from South East London started their own Sunday League team. One of the founding members Andrew McHugh (aka Don Strapzy) decided to film one of their matches as a way of building an online presence to promote his rap career.

Little did they know how important this decision would end up being. Over the next decade, SE Dons would quickly become one of the most popular YouTube football teams in the business, as well as a dominant force of nature throughout the Sunday League realm - and it seems like their journey is only just beginning.

Consistency is one thing, but that's doing a disservice to how entertaining SE Dons videos are. Despite playing on bobbly Sunday League pitches, the Dons deliver a reliably high standard of play, with numerous ex-pros and semi-pros in their ranks.

They've also built a reputation for their charisma and personality. The characters both on the pitch and off are endless, all with nicknames that border on the surreal: Swanley T, Mr Robinson, Kitman, the Geek, J Boogie and Uncle RJ are just some examples.

Friends and family members on the touchline are as integral to the team as the players themselves, as they help create a buzz and excitement at their games, especially during heated clashes with local rivals in the Lewisham and Greenwich boroughs.

From the Dons' 'war cry', to the nonstop chanting, to the wild celebrations when a last minute goal flies in, you'd be hard-pressed to find a Sunday League atmosphere like it anywhere else.

Strapzy suggests SE Dons' success is down to their authenticity: "I think everyone's bought into it because of that. I think it's very clear on camera that we're just a bunch of lads trying to do something."