2026-04-20, 02:35 AM - Word count:
Academy Task 5: Inspirational Inter London
Shortly before he was assigned his Academy Team in Ghana, Adowa Accra winger Nick Kasak played for various Junior sides in London where he grew up watching and following Inter London.
Inter London were part of season one of the SSL. The inaugural contest. The excitement of it all. A small group of players spread across 6 teams.
Football Club de Rio are either going by a different name or are defunct, Cairo, Tokyo and Athenai still exist across the major and minor leagues. Hollywood FC went on to dominate for years. The last team from that first league: Inter London.
"It was always amazing to watch, even if its not been plain sailing all the way." said Kasak
The trophy cabinet at the Thames Arena isn't completely empty of course: Runner Up in that first version of the league, and eventually winning the whole thing in season 3, Inter London's fortunes took a downgrade when they were moved into Division 2, winning this in season 6.
When the SSL adopted a Major/Minor model in Season 13, Inter London won the inaugural Minor Season as well as the SSL Cup on penalties over Reykjavik.
"That game was so intense, but it was the keeper, Patrick Carrigan, who was the star of the show that day, as well as all season long." Kasak reminisces, "I went with my Dad and Brother to that game. I was very young and hadn't watched many matches and we were so lucky to get a ticket. It's what made me fall in love with the game."
Now a minor partner to their major league counterpart A C Romana, Inter London find themselves in Division 2 of the Minors, nurturing academy graduates and older pros while the franchise senior partner plays in Division 2 of the Majors.
The most recent stars of the team have been the American wing back Angry Lizard and the French midfielder Chef Gagne, with any superstars quickly being sent to play in the Majors at Il Colosseo.
“No, I don’t think so,” says Kasak, on whether or not he think he’ll be playing in London’s Blue and White anytime soon, “they don’t need anyone in my position, and I’m not sure there’s room. I’ll be happy to play in any of the franchises, truly. I’m not a mercenary but I’ll play wherever I’m wanted.”
Perhaps Inter London’s fortunes are already improving, the squad boasting 100% record for the first three games after a 1-0 win over Athenai FC.
We briefly spoke to the organisation’s manager Malino, to get his thoughts about the clubs past and future: “Well when it comes to players, There aren't many who stick around at Inter London, mainly because if they do well, they get swiftly moved up to the majors team, I think our longest serving ITL players currently are Ryan O'Neill and Arthur Cain, both having some good performances in the start of our season.”
“And what the future looks like?", Malino continues, "Well of course we hope to have both Romana and London fighting for promotion either this or next season. And to keep our very promising talents and maybe in a few seasons time challenge for the Division 1 titles!”
Music to the ears of the fans, hopefully, of the ambition for both teams. Meanwhile, the future is still uncertain for young Nick Kasak, boyhood Inter London fan, future SSL player, with a couple of decent performances under his belt, pushing on for a high pick in the draft.
“There's so much football left to play, and while my name is up there,” Kasak says speaking to us from the blazing sunshine of the training ground in Accra, “I have to be realistic in that I need to keep working hard if I want to be top of this draft class. You’ve got Che Youz and N’Kufo playing brilliantly for Accra alone, but then the likes of Van Huntelrooy and McGlynn… so many decent players. Even in my favoured position there's plenty of competition! But we’re only three games in, the hard work starts now.”
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
![[Image: Kakou-Sig-Sized.png]](https://i.ibb.co/rKG0Bsh5/Kakou-Sig-Sized.png)
