Non-League and Academy football writer

Following FC Baresi’s 2-1 win over Dunmow Town (yesterday) in a Thurlow Nunn League First Division South fixture, I did a post match interview with FC Baresi player Sajid Aziz. Sajid had another fine game in central midfield for FC Baresi, against Dunmow, and he provided the assist (his second of the season) for Junior Appiah’s second goal of the afternoon.

Could you talk me through a bit about your background in football, prior to joining FC Baresi?

Sajid: I started playing non-League football properly around two years ago now. I started out playing for Woodford East at step 7, which was the same time that FC Baresi were in the same league. We ended up being second that season, and they ended up winning the league. It was a strange time for me, because when I was 19 I did play non-League football for Woodford Town, but it was a brief spell for me, but being at Woodford East, that was the first time that I’d really played non-League football consistently. 

Last season (2024/25) I was at AS London. I only got my opportunity ten games in, but once I got my opportunity to play for them consistently I didn’t look back. It was a good season to be fair, which had a lot of positives. At the end it was very disappointing not to win promotion in the play-offs, but such is football and these things happen unfortunately. Then after a short spell at Stansted, I joined FC Baresi. I know Amjad and his sons well, as well as a lot of the players at the club. 

What did you make of today’s game against Dunmow Town?

Sajid: To be honest I think that we should have been winning by six or seven goals in the first half. The amount of chances that we had, and the amount of times that we managed to get in behind their defence, we should have been clear by half-time. Sometimes you don’t manage to win games in the first half, but in the second half we showed good character, to get two goals and eventually get the win.

What has been your standout moment in non-League football, so far?

Sajid: I think that it would be last season with AS London, when we got to the play-offs, with an amazing group of players, which was like a family to me.

What are some of your hopes and aims for the rest of this season with FC Baresi?

Sajid: Ideally with the form we’re on, and I don’t see us stopping, I think that we can get in to the play-offs. We’ve got the quality all over the pitch and we’ve got a really good squad, which is what you need in this league. You need a squad with a lot of togetherness, and a lot of players who are willing to give their all in games for the team. That is what you need to get the club in to a certain position in the league. I hope that we can carry on this form, because I don’t see us stopping. Hopefully we can go on a play-off surge, or even a title surge, because this league changes every single week.