“Some issues do not want commentary.”
For years, Don Strapzy has mentioned it whereas watching the SE Dons, his phrases turning into a part of the soundtrack to a soccer membership constructed on ambition, character and a perception that the sport belongs to all people.
However when Alex Teniola scored within the ninety fifth minute to finish a exceptional comeback in opposition to Chichester, the phrase discovered a brand new viewers. The Dons had trailed 2-1 earlier than scoring twice in added time to win 3-2. Don Strapzy’s commentary went viral, capturing the sort of footballing drama that wants no embellishment.
There was extra to return. A 5-1 victory away to former Nationwide League membership Weymouth adopted, leaving the Dons one win away from the FA Cup first spherical correct.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Three seasons in the past SE Dons had been taking part in Sunday League soccer and now they’re one win away from the FA Cup first spherical however how did they get right here?
Three seasons in the past, they had been taking part in Sunday League soccer. Now, after six matches of their maiden FA Cup marketing campaign, together with a replay, they put together to face Sholing within the fourth qualifying spherical, with Leicester Metropolis, Sheffield Wednesday or Studying among the many golf equipment ready within the subsequent spherical.
The Dons have already overwhelmed 4 groups from larger leagues. They’re one among solely three golf equipment left within the competitors to have began within the further preliminary spherical.
This isn’t alleged to occur. However then, the Dons have by no means been notably enthusiastic about what is meant to occur.
“We’re simply regular those that dare to be nice,” Don Strapzy instructed Sky Sports activities.
And that, maybe, is the purpose.
The membership, based in 2014 by south-east London rapper Don Strapzy, actual title Andrew McHugh, and his mates, has grown from a Sunday League staff right into a soccer membership, a content material platform and a neighborhood with greater than 250,000 YouTube subscribers.
Don Strapzy based the SE Dons alongside mates in 2014
The movies have taken supporters inside dressing rooms, onto touchlines and into the lives of the individuals who make the membership what it’s. In 2024, a link-up with Forest Hill Park opened the door to Saturday soccer. Promotion adopted, and the SE Dons title was adopted for the 2025/26 marketing campaign.
Their FA Cup debut arrived in August. A 2-0 victory in opposition to Erith City at their dwelling floor, The Garrison, introduced their arrival within the competitors.
Now, the dream is turning into troublesome to comprise.
“I used to talk to my dad about this on a regular basis,” Don Strapzy mentioned. “My dad, he’d have a Guinness, and we would get carried away. Like, ‘Son, we’ll get to spherical three, get Man Utd.’
“And I would be like, ‘Dad, we’re getting carried away’.”
That dialog carries a unique weight now. His father, recognized affectionately as Mr Previous Skool, has since handed. So has his mom, Paula, who was a well-known presence across the membership and helped with the kits.
The legacy of ‘Mr Previous Skool’ ,John McHugh (proper), lives on via the SE Dons (cc: DonStrapzy_)
Their names stay woven into the Dons.
“It is allowed me to maintain my dad and mom’ names alive,” Don Strapzy mentioned. “My mum, something for Paula. Folks that have not met her, I hear my mum’s title on a regular basis.
“My dad, Mr Previous Skool, he was a gentleman. He genuinely beloved the membership.”
Don Strapzy defined that, after dropping Paula, the membership gave his father one thing to look ahead to every week. Now, the shirts bearing Mr Previous Skool’s title and the supporters singing for him within the seventieth minute provide a approach for his son to honour that legacy.
His religion, too, is central to the story.
“My life may have gone so in another way,” he mentioned. “I’ve received mates who’re gone. They ain’t coming again.
“My life may have gone in that route if it wasn’t for my father, my mum, and my religion within the Lord.”
For all of the jokes about European soccer, the ambition is honest. Don Strapzy has no intention of pretending in any other case.
“If we handle to beat Sholing, I am asking myself, do we would like the large tie now? Or can we try to get one which we are able to doubtlessly undergo?” he mentioned.
“The best way God is scripting this script proper now, I would not be stunned if we get to spherical three.”
The Europa League, in the meantime, has already entered the dialog.
“We have been dreaming huge from the beginning,” he mentioned on Sky Sports activities Information. “If we are able to win the FA Cup, we’ll be in Europa League subsequent season.”
Tongue firmly in cheek, maybe. However the Dons have earned the precise to dream.
Teniola is aware of higher than most what that perception appears like from the opposite facet. Earlier than becoming a member of the membership, the ahead performed for Baiteeze Squad, one of many Dons’ nice Sunday League rivals. He described their rivalry because the Man Utd-Arsenal of that stage, with a whole lot turning out for matches that helped make grassroots soccer a spectacle once more.
But when the chance got here to hitch the Dons, Teniola recognised one thing acquainted.
“I’ve at all times been a SE Dons form of participant,” he mentioned. “I put on my coronary heart on my sleeve. And that is the sort of tradition that is bred at SE Dons.”
His late winner in opposition to Chichester was a reminder of why he matches. Launched within the eighty fifth minute, he stored his composure to toe-poke the ball beneath the goalkeeper and ship his team-mates into celebration.
“I can by no means clarify the sensation of scoring a winner,” he mentioned. “It is among the best emotions on the earth.”
The purpose additionally carried a private significance. Teniola’s nickname, “Teniola Time”, dates again to a late purpose for Tonbridge Angels round a decade in the past. His newest intervention has given the title one other chapter.
Alex Teniola scored the successful purpose in damage time because the SE Dons beat Chichester within the FA Cup second qualifying spherical (cc: TeniolaTime)
For Don Strapzy, the significance of the precise characters goes past objectives.
“You are not only a soccer participant,” he mentioned. “You want the precise characters in your altering room, the precise leaders, the precise mentality.”
Massive G, the membership’s long-serving captain and goalkeeper, understands that higher than most. George Kamurasi is of royal lineage in Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom and is commonly heard on a matchday bellowing the Dons spirit from between the sticks.
His story displays the extraordinary lives behind the badge. His personal grief, together with the demise of his dad and mom, has additionally helped form a membership the place remembrance and belonging are by no means removed from the floor.
“What you see on digicam is actual,” Teniola mentioned. “Nobody is performing.”
That authenticity is the Dons’ biggest asset. The Viking-style celebrations, the music, the travelling assist and the catchphrases could have helped them construct an viewers, however the soccer is now matching the spectacle.
Don Strapzy is beneath no phantasm about what comes subsequent. Sholing are two divisions above the Dons and have their very own FA Cup dream to guard. There will likely be no overlooking them.
However a spot within the first spherical correct would put a membership born in Sunday League soccer alongside groups with Premier League histories. For a gaggle that when dreamed of taking up Manchester United over a drink and a dialog, that will be one thing.
“It is historical past, bro,” Don Strapzy mentioned. “We’re actually making historical past.”
The Dons have spent years constructing their boat to overcome new shores. Yet one more victory may take them someplace they’ve by no means been earlier than.
And if Teniola finds himself in the precise place on the proper time once more, maybe the commentary will maintain itself.
Some issues do not want commentary. Some issues simply should be seen.