Downhill Complex is a distant memory now, but Sassco 6-a-side keeps failing to die off. Now it’s a 5-a-side tournament played over a few hours in the new Everyone Active venue at Galleries, Washington. to be played on a Saturday morning from 10:30am to 12:10pm on 25th June.

Season 17 back in 2015, which only had three teams, was won by Redhouse Fusion. However, they haven’t been able to enter this tournament version of the Sassco League. The teams taking part are:

  • Sassco.co.uk (Davinder Sangha)
  • Sunderland Deaf FC (Gavin James)
  • Crown Electrics (Jeff Clark and Jon Wardle)
  • Posithread (Shaun Snowdon)
  • AEL United (Kevin Golightly)

Sassco.co.uk, Crown Electrics and Posithread renew their rivalry last seen over a decade ago. Posithread, still dragged along by Shaun Snowdon, last kicked a ball in anger in the Sassco League back in 2005 during Season 7, while Crown Electrics took part in Season 10 in 2007. Crown actually resigned after disciplinary problems and an rapidly ageing team called it quits. Luckily, the same line up (including a shift from medium and large shirts to extra large) is returning for the tournament. The team is still organised by Jon Wardle and Jeff Clark.

Sassco.co.uk will contain a number of players who played throughout their 11 year run in the 6-a-side. The new teams are Sunderland Deaf FC, organised by Gavin James (ex Sassco 11-a-side) and for AEL, it’s Kevin Golightly organising things.


Fixtures, to be played on two pitches are as follows.

  • 10:30 Sunderland Deaf FC v Sassco.co.uk | Posithread v AEL United
  • 10:50 Crown Electrics v Posithread | AEL United v Sunderland Deaf FC
  • 11:10 AEL United v Sassco.co.uk | Sunderland Deaf FC v Crown Electrics
  • 11:30 Sunderland Deaf FC v Posithread | Crown Electrics v Sassco.co.uk
  • 11:50 Crown Electrics v AEL United | Sassco.co.uk v Posithread

Washington Leisure Centre was re-launched and opened in May 2015 under the Everyone Active name. The centre, has  a six-lane 25 metre swimming pool. It also contains a multi-purpose sports hall across two levels and a gym, four-court sports hall, two glass backed squash courts, and a health suite containing a sauna and steam rooms. The centre also offers group exercise classes and kids parties. The highlight of the venue is several 5-a-side outdoor courts with the latest 3G pitches.

Contact details are as follows: