Non-League and Academy football writer

Jatinder Liddar is a player for step 6 Combined Counties Football League Division One side Windsor & Eton FC. Formerly a player for Indian Gymkhana Club (Jatinder has also played for Eversley & California), in the Middlesex County Football League Premier Division, Jatinder is a very versatile and skilful player. I recently had a great chat with Jatinder, about some of his footballing memories (so far), as well as looking to the future, for the remainder of this season with Windsor & Eton FC.

What are some of your earliest footballing memories?

Jatinder: So for me I started out playing for Larkspur Rovers, when I was 6. I had my brother’s shin-pads on and I just joined in with the rest of the players, and I just started running with a football. So from then on I just loved football, but that was my earliest footballing memory. But later on as a youth player I was at Indian Gymkhana Club, British Airways FC and then when I was 15/16 I was with Hayes & Yeading United for a season. However, I would return to Indian Gymkhana Club, and then from 18 onwards I was playing for their first team. 

Could you talk me through a bit about your footballing background, up until joining Windsor & Eton?

Jatinder: I started with the reserves at Indian Gymkhana Club, and all of the lads knew me because I’d trained with the men’s team as a youth player, at 13/14. I come from that old school footballing mentality background, whereas now the coaches are nicer and things are a bit easier for the players. But I’m from the generation where you’ve got to be 100% at everything, and there is no room for error. That was good for me, because it taught me to be very critical of myself, and it made me a better player in general.

Have you had any great footballing influences, such as coaches for example?

Jatinder: I wouldn’t say that I necessarily have a footballing influence as such, but for me it was about being the best that I could be out of my brothers. My oldest brother was probably the best out of all of us, and he always used to teach me all of the skills. My older brother Sukhvinder used to be the top goalscorer for Indian Gymkhana Club around ten years ago. But my whole family is into football, and they are the people who I aspired to be like, even though I’ve kind of made it a bit further than they did.

What was it like to play to step 6 football with Eversley & California FC, in what was your first time playing at that level of non-League football?

Jatinder: My first year playing step 6 football was amazing, and I really enjoyed that year in football. The management at Eversley & California really opened my eyes to a whole different sort of way of seeing football. Because I’d been at Gymkhana, I’d always played with the same players throughout my whole life. With Eversley & California I had such a good vibe from the start, and I wanted to reward the club and coaches back, for the confidence that they had put in me. 

Were there any players that you used to try and model your game around, when you were younger?

Jatinder: I used to play as a striker when I was younger, and so my family used to say that I played like Raúl, because I didn’t use to have that much pace, but I was a smart player. As I got older I started to watch local non-League football, and Jey Siva was someone who I looked up to, as someone who has played at step 3/4 in the past. He’s Asian and he’s a very versatile player, who has played non-League football and captained a club, and so if he can do that, then why can’t I! Just from Indian Gymkhana Club, there are so many people that I look up to.

What are some of your standout memories from your footballing journey, so far?

Jatinder: I won the Middlesex County Cup with Gymkhana, and I’ve actually been in the final of that competition on three occasions, and on one occasion I played in a league cup final. But for me the standout memory is playing in the FA Vase, which is a really big deal. You have your normal competitions, but this is different because it’s the FA Vase, and hopefully one day I can play in the FA Cup with Windsor & Eton.

What has been the overall highlight of your non-League/grassroots football journey, so far?

Jatinder: The season when I had 30 plus appearances for Eversley & California, that to me showed that I was trusted by a club. I was actually playing regularly at step 6, and that was the most that I’ve ever played in a season. That whole thing of wanting to repay the management for putting that faith in you, is a big thing for me. And so that memory is probably the highlight for me. 

Could you talk me through some of your memories of playing for Indian Gymkhana Club, in the Middlesex County Football League Premier Division? 

Jatinder: I think that my biggest memory with Gymkhana was when I was 17/18, and I had first broken into the first team. From the time that I had first got into the team (in September time), until December time, we were unbeaten. I started every game during that time, and so for me that is a big highlight.

Who was the most difficult team that you faced (for their quality) in the Middlesex Premier Division, during your time with Indian Gymkhana Club?

Jatinder: I would probably have to say Hillltop FC. Despite beating them away during this particular season, when they played us at ours they were just so good. They were fitter, stronger and more technical. They were just so good!

For those who haven’t seen you play, could you describe to me what type of player you are?

Jatinder: I’m not even trying to be arrogant, but you can play me anywhere on the pitch, and I’ll do a job! Although my favourite position is as a a second striker, but as a player you’ve got to adapt.

What are some of your hopes and aims for this season (2024/25) with step 6 side Windsor & Eton FC?

Jatinder: We want to win the league. Nothing more and nothing less! We don’t even want to think of anything else.