About Us

Shooting Stars is a multi cultural Club, formed in 1991 but only became officially recognized in 1996 (when we officially registered with the London Football Association). In the autumn 1996 we joined the Islington Mid-week Football League, where we competed in the third division. We were successfully promoted consecutively, in the two seasons while in Midweek league. We joined the London Intermediate League for season 1999/2000. Changing to a higher standard League meant our name had to change in order to reflect the area of London we represent.

We proudly added 'Islington' to our name because it is where the team is based and the borough in which most of the players live. In the first two seasons (1999/2000 & 2000/2001) in this league we learnt a lot after finishing bottom and third from bottom respectively. The reason for this bad start to the League was that it is a more competitive League than the Mid-week League.

In addition, the level of commitment from many of the players, especially in the first season, was very poor. During season 2001-2002 we were more consistent. Thus we reached quarterfinals of the London Cup and finished 6th in the league. As the squad increased in size, depth and quality it became necessary to form two teams.

Thus during season 2002-2003 Shooting Stars second team played in the Midweek League, whilst the first team continued to play in the London Intermediate League. Unfortunately Shooting Stars received some shockingly bad treatment that from certain league officials during the 2002-2003 season. Thus the management, backed by the players, felt that there was no other alternative but to withdraw from the London Intermediate League before the end of the season.

This allowed Shooting Stars to concentrate it's effort on improving the league position in the Islington Mid-week League, with the use of the 'Saturday players'. Thus by the end of the season Shooting Stars finished in third place. Now Shooting Stars are looking forward to season 2003-2004. In this season Shooting Stars will be playing in Division One of the Middlesex County League (Saturdays) and the again in the Division One of the Islington Mid-week Football league. Hopefully Shooting Stars will be able to win at least one trophy to confirm how far they have come.

The decision to playing in two leagues took its toll on ISS as players argue about using players from Saturday team in the midweek team and visa-versa. Something has to give!. Part of the Midweek Team was a semi merger from a Former ISS Player's Saturday Team. Which soon started a power struggle, with only one winner - NIYI :.

Season 2004 - 2005, because playing in two leagues was going to prove difficult; not only on the players but also on the Manager as Niyi could not find someone reliable enough to help manage the midweek team. The decision was made to withdraw from the midweek league and concentrate on the Middlesex County Football League.

Season 2005 - 2006; alarm bells starts to ring for the ISS OLD BOYS as results go pear shape throughout the whole season. It's time for the old boys to depart and make way for a younger breed of ISS Football. Winning matches became a rare sight, with LONG beaten runs ongoing - a season to quickly forget, as ISS finish at the bottom half of the table.

Season 2006-2007, saw ISS struggle to find any kind of good form and matters was helped with a number of players becoming rebellious, also financially the team was not able to secure grants which meant the Niyi had to pay for all the team's expenditure. This eventually resulted in to ISS battling relegation. With three Months of the season still to play, Niyi called an emergency meeting in order to explain the Club's financial problems and it's difficult for him to continue financing the club as it was causing his personal life harm. So the decision was made to withdraw form the league all together, the Middlesex League committee were understanding and even offer to take us back any time we want to re-join the league in the future. In fairness the last couple of seasons have been very difficult without a proper keeper and we were still able to reach a couple of semi-finals and quarter-finals.

For the Season 2007 - 2008, ISS re-joined the Islington Midweek League and was readily welcomed back with open arms. The season was full of ups and downs, but many downs than ups! Many of the 'old boys' were starting to get too big for their shoes and throughout the season the tension in the squad was very high. At that stage all Niyi was thinking of was the future of the team and for the season to finish. The season finished with ISS finishing mid table and being knock-out in the first round of all but one cup.

Overall ISS had a very disappointing first season back in the Islington Midweek League, the team did show some of it's brilliance in a number of games but was not consistence. ISS finished mid table at the end of the season.

Season 2008 - 2009, and the aim was to get a more youthful team together - some of the older players have to be phased out. The transition is virtually complete as the young players now make for 85% of ISS. The 15% veteran are providing experience to the younger players with a few teething problems. ISS struggle at the start, but soon start to hold their own midway through the season with a number of good battling wins and draws. Many an Ex ISS Players pass by to see the new look ISS continuing to improve. Highlight of the season is a ten MAN ISS team, due to injuries, virtually play an 11 men rival team off the park in the last game of the season. This has to be a great encouragement for NIYI on things to come next season.

Season 2009 - 2010, more players are coming through during preseason training sessions, nothing to write yet but some ex players have expressed desire to come back, but a decision will be made on who is allowed to make 'comebacks' as the team wants to keep the great team spirit and good attitude amongst it's current players. With match review on players after every match during training, should result in an ever improving ISS team.