Non-League and Academy football writer

Rui Giovanni Monteiro-Da-Costa and Tori Jones Mahorn Rendall have been important players for FC Baresi’s Reserve side, in the Essex Alliance Football League Premier Division East, so far this season. Rui, a highly skilful player, who can play as a winger or as a full-back, has made nine appearances for Umayr Amjad’s FC Baresi Reserve side, so far this season. He has scored one goal and provided two assists, from the nine games that he has been involved in with the reserves. Rui was with Norwich City, as an academy player, and he played some matches for the club’s talented Under 18 side (current Celtic and Republic of Ireland international Adam Idah, played in the same team as Rui, when he played for the Norwich City Under 18 side). Rui started for FC Baresi’s first team, in their most recent league fixture, against Cannons Wood, on Saturday afternoon.

Tori Jones Mahorn Rendall is a talented and versatile young player, who has made 15 competitive appearances for the FC Baresi Reserve side, so far this season. Tori has scored four goals and provided three assists for the reserves, so far this season. He often plays in midfield, but Tori can also play at full-back, and he is a player with an eye for goal and a forward pass, who is having a really good season for the reserves. Tori travelled with the FC Baresi first team squad to Ware, for their home league fixture on Saturday. 

Could you talk me through a bit about your footballing back footballing background? Also, how did you come about joining FC Baresi?

Rui: I started off playing Sunday league football for Asianos FC. Later on, I joined Barnet when I was 14, before then joining Norwich City, as an academy player. I joined Norwich when I was 15, and I was there until I was 20. I unfortunately had an ACL injury which kept me out for over a year, but after recovering from that injury, I went out to Portugal for a while, to play my football out there. And then after that, I went out to America for four years on a scholarship, whilst I was studying out there. And now I’m back in England, and playing for FC Baresi. I came about joining the club through Tani (FC Baresi’s assistant manager), who coached me when I was a youngster, at Asianos. 

Tori: I’ve previously played my football in the Echo League, and I also played for Interwood. I joined Baresi because my friend was already at the club, and he told me to come to the club during one pre-season, around two years ago. And I’ve been with the reserves ever since. 

What has it been like, playing for the reserves this season?

Rui: On a personal note it’s been good for me, to be back playing football again, after taking last year out. I was previously in America, playing football out there. But  I feel good after playing a lot of games, and I feel like I’m finding my feet again. The game against Dagenham United was a standout memory for me, and also the cup game against Vallance, when we won on penalties. I also got an assist in that game.

Tori: Last season (2023/24) I played as a right-back, but this season I’ve been playing in midfield, and I’ve been enjoying it, and I’ve been getting a good number of assists, as well.

What was it like being in the FC Baresi first team squad, today?

Rui: I made my first appearance for the first team almost two years ago, but today was my first start for them. Coming in to the team today, I felt positive, and I was happy to be selected for the team. I gave it my best against Cannons Wood, and it was a good experience for me.

Tori: It was a good experience to be with the first team today, and to be around the first team squad. I need to push my way into the first team more, during the rest of this season, and also hopefully make some appearances for the first team during this season.