Non-League and Academy football writer

Freddy Tandon is someone who has so much experience in non-League football. A fine defender who has played at a consistently good level of non-League football for so long, Freddy is looking forward to leading Sporting Bengal United this season in the Essex Senior League, with the help of a very good management team alongside him. I recently asked Freddy some questions ahead of the new 2025/26 season.

Could you talk me through a bit about your background in football, prior to becoming the manager of Sporting Bengal United’s first team, for the 2025/26 season?

Freddy: I’ve played football for much of my life, since I was a youngster. I played for a lot of youth teams at a local level, before having the opportunity to move to Grays Athletic whilst they were in the Blue Square Conference as it was known many years ago. I later went on to play for some other clubs in the old Ryan Premier/Ryman Division One, before joining Sporting Bengal for the first time, over ten years ago now.

I played for Sporting Bengal for quite a few seasons, building up quite a good relationship with the club and the staff, and I really liked the community feel of the club. I did move to some other clubs during that time, such as New Salamis and Enfield, and a couple of others as well. I returned to Sporting Bengal a couple of years ago, and I was a part of the promotion winning team, which was a real plus for the club, winning promotion as a team.

I was interested in putting my name in the hat for the managerial role at Sporting Bengal for this season, when the opportunity came up. I got an interview with the club, and I was fortunate enough to get the role.

Could you talk me through some of your standout memories of playing non-League football, over the years?

Freddy: Standout moments for me are usually winning silverware. So for me winning the Premier Division of the Spartan League stands out, with us having a really good team at New Salamis. We also won the league on the final day of that season, which was massive. Also, being a part of the Sporting Bengal side which won promotion to step 4, via the play-offs, that was a really special moment for me.

For those who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?

Freddy: I’m a basic centre-back who heads and volleys the ball away, I just do the basics. I also like to be a leader on the pitch, and just defend.

What are some of your thoughts ahead of the new 2025/26 Essex Senior League season? Also, how have you found pre-season, so far?

Freddy: I’ve played in the league for many years, so I know most of the teams in it. I know most of the teams in the league well, barring Harwich & Parkeston who are new to the league. Pre-season for the management team has been about looking at players old and new, and assessing the squad ahead of the new season. Towards the end of last season there was a big overhaul of players, with players coming and going. So this season for me, has been a bit of a task, and about bringing new players in to the club. I did manage to retain six out of eight players who I wanted to stay, from last season. So that was good.

I think that the Essex Senior League is going to be very competitive, this season. There are obviously teams who have narrowly missed out on promotion in recent seasons, who will be looking to kick on and get that automatic promotion spot. I think that teams like Woodford Town, Great Wakering Rovers, Basildon United, and Soul Tower Hamlets will all be up there.

What are some of your personal aims/ambitions for the 2025/26 season, with Sporting Bengal United?

Freddy: If we can sneak in to the play-offs this season, then that would be a massive success. But, I know that we are up against some very established teams, with a lot more experience. I’m hoping to start well and just take it game from game, getting wins on the board. Once the camaraderie becomes even better in the changing room, then who knows how well we can do. But, we’re going to try and do the best that we can.

Are there any teams that you are looking forward to facing this season? 

Freddy: I’ve got quite a lot of friends across quite a lot of teams in this league, so I’m just looking forward to meeting them, and also facing them in games. In terms of a derby match, our games with Soul Tower Hamlets will probably be the biggest derby match, this season.