2025-09-14, 05:46 PM - Word count:
(This post was last modified: 2025-09-14, 05:52 PM by Nike. Edited 5 times in total.)
Growing up in London football is everywhere. You’ll find it in the cobblestone streets, in school yards, on the walls of the cities most famous pubs or worn on kits on the backs of the men, women and children who roam all corners of this city. You’ll find it in homes, in living rooms where families are staggered in chairs around a telly with their plates of meatloaf and mashed. Waiting with bated breath, not for their next bite, but for their favorite striker to sneak past that last defender and give just the right touch to beat the dive of the keeper.
In England, the game is in our blood. And that’s no different for upcoming SSL wannabe star, Dwayne Pruney. Dwayne was once one of those little fellas kicking a ragged and tattered hand-me-down ball in a narrow city street between his mother’s small downtown apartment and the patisserie across the street. He learned to play the game in the streets. He didn’t learn much, however, about staying out of trouble. When you fancy the crossing ball, or making a play to set-up the best goal scorer on the block, you often have to make those horizontal plays that change fields and get the defenders moving left-to-right.
Many shops in London, like in many other major cities, have beautiful bow windows to draw in the cities’ famous tourist populations. Window shoppers become real shoppers and when the rent is as high as it can be downtown, customer conversion is key. Pastry shops are even more apt to have large windows and an open door policy. As the fresh scent of yeast, sugar and the jovial sounds coming from the counter can draw in customers from blocks away.
All great for business - not so great for alleyway football match day. Pruney’s propensity to make a shallow, hard cross to a streaking teammate in the 10 foot narrow London street lead to a baker’s dozen of errant balls that struck windows, flew through open shop doors, or even struck patrons awaiting their treats.
Even still, the game has continued to grow for the young footballer. The streets have widened as London has quickly turned to Stockholm to participate in this season’s academy. The transition to the SSL won’t be easy and Pruney knows that. The league has some of the world’s best footballers in action each season. The academy represents an opportunity for Wayne to prove himself as he grows out beyond a little city boy to potentially a worldwide household name.
Moving from the cobblestone to the pitch won’t be an incredible challenge or adjustment. It’s not that Pruney never played on natural grass before. It’s just that his sport story really began on those London streets between patrons milling about with their fresh biscuits & jam. We’re excited to see what the future might hold for this young athlete. The story is just starting. As the academy season now gets started, we hope that you’ve enjoyed this opportunity to get to know one of the league’s newest faces. Stockholm, take care of this little city boy as he looks to make his mark.
In England, the game is in our blood. And that’s no different for upcoming SSL wannabe star, Dwayne Pruney. Dwayne was once one of those little fellas kicking a ragged and tattered hand-me-down ball in a narrow city street between his mother’s small downtown apartment and the patisserie across the street. He learned to play the game in the streets. He didn’t learn much, however, about staying out of trouble. When you fancy the crossing ball, or making a play to set-up the best goal scorer on the block, you often have to make those horizontal plays that change fields and get the defenders moving left-to-right.
Many shops in London, like in many other major cities, have beautiful bow windows to draw in the cities’ famous tourist populations. Window shoppers become real shoppers and when the rent is as high as it can be downtown, customer conversion is key. Pastry shops are even more apt to have large windows and an open door policy. As the fresh scent of yeast, sugar and the jovial sounds coming from the counter can draw in customers from blocks away.
All great for business - not so great for alleyway football match day. Pruney’s propensity to make a shallow, hard cross to a streaking teammate in the 10 foot narrow London street lead to a baker’s dozen of errant balls that struck windows, flew through open shop doors, or even struck patrons awaiting their treats.
Even still, the game has continued to grow for the young footballer. The streets have widened as London has quickly turned to Stockholm to participate in this season’s academy. The transition to the SSL won’t be easy and Pruney knows that. The league has some of the world’s best footballers in action each season. The academy represents an opportunity for Wayne to prove himself as he grows out beyond a little city boy to potentially a worldwide household name.
Moving from the cobblestone to the pitch won’t be an incredible challenge or adjustment. It’s not that Pruney never played on natural grass before. It’s just that his sport story really began on those London streets between patrons milling about with their fresh biscuits & jam. We’re excited to see what the future might hold for this young athlete. The story is just starting. As the academy season now gets started, we hope that you’ve enjoyed this opportunity to get to know one of the league’s newest faces. Stockholm, take care of this little city boy as he looks to make his mark.
