Believe, Achieve, Greatness. With current circumstances prompting a feeling of hardship throughout the capital, the slogan of East London-based All Prospects FC is one we could all benefit from hearing right now. However, in the midst of persistent disruptions to grassroots league campaigns throughout the UK, the team’s slogan has proven to be of considerable value on the pitch. As part of their progression since their fairly recent inception in March 2019, All Prospects FC have enjoyed considerable levels of growth over the past 2 years. The club secured a sponsorship deal with Believe and Achieve and finalised the design of their new sleek red (home) and black (away) team strips, as well as finding themselves situated within the senior division of the Essex Alliance League. In the first edition of our new blog series The Voice of Grassroots Football: The Rising Story, we delve into the ongoing journey of Dagenham-based club: All Prospects FC.
Managed by Coach Dan Balogun, All Prospects FC initially emerged primarily as a showcase team. It was after a rather anticlimactic stint at Welling Town FC Reserves, that Balogun thought better than to simply abandon the relationship held with his squad of young and talented players. Instead, he thought it more favourable to launch his own showcase team – consisting of the group of players he had managed, as well as the trusted expertise of his assistant manager. After rejecting numerous offers to coach interested semi-professional reserve clubs, it was clear that Dan remained fixated on elevating his newfound team at All Prospects FC. Eventually, despite worries over finances and administration difficulties, the coach finally entered his side into the first division of the Essex Alliance League in August 2019.
Despite the current progress of All Prospects FC, Dan Balogun’s individual rise to prominence hasn’t come without obstacles. With his rich football background arising from his time as a player for Grays Athletic U18s and Harlow College Football Academy, his playing career undoubtedly came with much promise. The then-rising talent was an integral member of his college’s most successful team ever, and his service for the team was repaid with a coveted league title victory during his final year. With spells at Bashley FC, AFC Totton and Romsey Town FC to follow, Dan’s impressive breakthrough saw him trial for a number of established teams during his time at university. But despite playing against various high level teams in the latter stages of his playing career, a lack of opportunities provided to an unknown player in Dan Balogun saw his focus later shift onto football coaching. Through his experiences as a player however, Dan maintains a strong passion to consistently provide the right tools for his squad’s development – as well as supporting his players to succeed in their ambitions of breaking into the professional football scene.
After earning his coaching qualifications at Southampton Solent University, Dan’s first major role in coaching came for Barking FC as an apprentice coach. However, it was only after he was told that he wasn’t ready enough to lead in coaching their college team that his passion to run his own team thoroughly ignited. After being challenged by upper staff at Barking FC to gain more experience by running a team of his own, Dan approached his old college coach to assist him in searching for a club where he could lead as head coach. With much incentive to prove his old superiors wrong, Dan later took over Barkingside Youth Sky Blues FC U10s, U11s and U12s. It was his first stint as a head coach – and Dan endeavoured to implement his own footballing philosophy. In his first year, Dan’s reinvigorated U10s side reached the quarter finals of the league cup competition – ultimately losing on penalties to Dagenham United. His U11s and U12s sides also showed huge signs of promise under Dan's leadership, achieving successive top-four finishes in their next two league campaigns.
Following his successful role at Barkingside Youth Sky Blues, Dan attained more useful coaching experience at West Ham United’s Foundation and pre-academy. He also coached abroad in Spain and the Netherlands on multiple occasions, as well as landing a role as part of the Kicks Cup coaching setup in Manchester in 2017. After attaining essential coaching experience over a number of years, the young coach eventually launched All Prospects FC in 2019.
Now a head coach of his own crafted club, Dan’s All Prospects FC enjoyed an impressive beginning to their grassroots league football journey. Despite entering in Division One of the Essex Alliance League, All Prospects did fantastically well during their first season. The side ended the campaign respectably in third position, which saw them earn promotion to the Senior Division of the Essex Alliance League. As part of their achievements during the season, All Prospects boasted the accolades of most goals scored (45) and league’s best discipline – which the club later received an award to commemorate. Impressively, the team were only defeated on four occasions during the entirety of the first season - which prompted Dan to label his team's defence as arguably their strongest asset. The club also excelled in their first cup campaign, reaching the quarter finals of the well-known Fenton Cup. All Prospects FC’s considerable progress quickly alerted the attention of clubs within the respected Ryman League, who later scouted one of the team’s rising talents. The club’s quick development also led football agency Absolute Sports Management – known to push young prospects into the professional game, to sign on 3 of their best-performing players.
Within their current squad, All Prospects FC hold an abundance of exciting talent all over the pitch. The team are captained by Tobi, described by his manager as a ‘natural born leader’ who requires the respect of his teammates on and off the pitch. No matter the occasion, score-line or circumstance – the central midfielder is known to deliver in consistency, offering ‘at least a 7/10 performance week in week out’. Tobi is assisted by vice-captain James – an equally invaluable member of the squad who Dan notes to step up to the plate whenever called upon. In terms of their striking options; All Prospects are strengthened by notable attackers Zivonimir (Zee), Alem, Delfim and Alie – who’s collective strength, creativity, flair and silkiness were pivotal in the club’s fantastic goalscoring record in their first season.
Two notable players who may perhaps slip under the radar however, are centre midfielder Henry (Henzo) and winger/fullback Gilson. Despite Henry regularly receiving the plaudits he deserves by his teammates in his role as a central defensive midfielder, manager Dan notes his ability to break-up opposition counter attacks – as well as his swift distribution and passing accuracy – to be significantly paramount to the team’s success. Henry’s qualities also allow for Gilson – who actually identifies himself as a winger, to shine in his selfless role as a right-back for the club. A constant danger down the right side of the pitch when linking up with tricky right midfielder Prince Eze, Gilson’s clever overlapping play offers All Prospects FC an amplified range of counter attacking threat.
After a disappointing start to the season by their own standards however, All Prospects FC currently find themselves bottom of the league. Despite Dan being well aware of the of the steep task at hand to turn things around, he reaffirms that his side will take each game as serious as the next when the league resumes. Asked who their main competitors are in the league this season, Dan stated “everyone is our competition. There’s not one team in particular. Whether we’re top, mid-table, or one or two places above where we currently are, everyone is our competition. We want to beat everyone. We’ve not been able to beat many teams so far – but after COVID, every game has to be a cup final.”
Both on and off the pitch, All Prospects FC continue to hold a feeling of optimism surrounding the progression of the club. On top of attempting to push as many of their players as possible into the professional game; the club remain hopeful of establishing a women’s side, an U18/reserve side, a college football program, and a youth setup in the foreseeable future. In terms of their league campaign, Dan hopes to make up for bad results as quickly as possible through empowering his players, stating “if you believe in yourself and you know what you’re doing, you will achieve the best results. With a bit of patience and knowledge, I’ll be able to get the best out of my players as long as I believe in them and motivate them to believe in themselves.”
With notable bags of talent held in star attackers Zee, Alie, Jose Mata, and Prince Eze to name a few – it remains to be seen exactly how head coach Dan Balogun can get his exciting squad firing again, as All Prospects look to retain their place in the Senior Division of the Essex Alliance League next season.
Be sure to follow all of All Prospects FC’s social media links via our Instagram page @thevoicegrf.
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