In their own Words

Joining Dodo Club in 2002, It has been an amazing journey. I have been able to enjoy trips to France and Belgium, make new lasting friendships with people of all ages and take part in exciting and well organised internal football tournaments and 11-a-side football games every weekend.

As a long standing member, I have seen the club transition from White Hart Lane to Firs Lane with the membership base growing to over 100 people and the introduction of a football academy for children. Many of those ‘graduates‘ still play today at senior level.

This a unique club which offers something you won’t get anywhere else, football and friendship in a safe and family orientated environment, which is why the club has been successful for the past 32 years and still going strong.

I first joined Dodo Club in 1996 when I came back from Mauritius. The club and members were very supportive when my mother died in 1998. I left the club for a bit as I did a few seasons at Fulham FC and Barnet FC then joined a team at a Saturday league. Came back to Dodo Club in 2009, and managed LFC in the Dodo Cup but lost to Arsenal in the Final. Pinnacle moment at Dodo Club was winning DC10 at Hertford Town FC stadium in front of our families. I love the social side of Dodo club, which everyone can enjoy. Made great friends and hopefully I can be part of Dodo club for the next 25 years.

I have been at Dodo Club for the past 25 years and in that time I have seen a lot of changes like the Dodo Academy which helped coach young children who then went on to play for the senior team. We went on amazing trips with our families to play football in France and in Brighton.

Our club is a family oriented club not just playing football but we have social nights like Dodonite and I hope to continue my journey with this unique club for the next 30 years.

I discovered Dodo Club at a very young age and joined as a young academy player over 10 years ago aspiring to join the senior team. At the academy I was able to show my talent at a young age leading me to be promoted into the senior team shortly after.

Since joining the senior team I have enjoyed the regular football and professionalism of the club. Dodo Club is always looking to grow together as a unit and keep the family and friendly theme going. It has provided me with amazing experiences as I have played in many tournaments year on year, and proud to always be on the winning team in every tournament. I am looking forward to the next Dodo Cup so that I can add another trophy to my cabinet.

Highly recommended, family-friendly club.

Being a new member, I really enjoy training and playing friendly but slightly competitive matches every Sunday morning at Dodo Club. The lads are very well mannered about the way they conduct themselves on and off pitch.

Dodo Club is an amazing club where I have made many friends over the last few years. We all treat each other fairly and with respect. The weekly games are fun, competitive and very organised. Overall, I fully recommend Dodo Club and always look forward to our next match!

Dodo Club has played an integral part in my life, giving me responsibility from a very young age and the opportunity to captain and lead the team in a tournament in Paris Courbevoie in which we were triumphant. The skills I developed throughout the years on and off the pitch being part of this team have had a positive role in both my social and professional life. The tournaments and events I’ve been involved with such as Walker Cup, Q1 Cup and our flagship annual club tournament Dodo Cup have always encapsulated a great experience and spectacle for our players, families and friends. I am looking forward to the successful future of the club and to aid towards the continued growth of its foundation within the community.

I first joined Dodo Club when I was 14 and played until my mid 30’s. In that time I made lifelong friends and meeting up with them on Sunday mornings was the highlight of the week.
I am still in touch with most members today and you wouldn’t want to meet a better group of people. I will always be grateful to Dodo Club for helping me move from a boy to a man and learning important lessons along the way.

I have had the pleasure of coaching at the Dodo Academy for 3 years. While at the club there was always a great sense of inclusion and family ethos for all. The end of season always brought a match for the academy to showcase what they had learned, and what stood out for me was that the whole adult squad and parents would turn up and support the kids and make the day about them. I also had the chance to play alongside the adults and in the end of year participate in the flagship tournament The Dodo cup. This brought about a good level of competition between the teams but always played in a great spirit. This club has a great atmosphere and I personally feel proud to have been a part of it. It is extremely well run and I have made friends for life here and am sure everyone associated with Dodo Club feels the same.

I heard about Dodo Club around five years back. Football as a passion, I was looking for a club to play and Dodo Club was the One. As a family man, I was not looking for a professional club but a club where i can enjoy the foot as a family. The culture, the policy, the social and other facilities were just a BIG PLUS. I was awarded Member of the Month soon after I joined and this was just the beginning of a new chapter of my life with Dodo Club.

Wearing the Dodo kit on its own is a privilege and a responsibility towards the Club.

The values of Dodo Club are what makes this club unique and special. I have always felt like a welcomed member of the club since I joined in 2007. This club focuses on the wellbeing of the players on and off the field. They take it to the next level by organising various social events annually, which is an exciting time to meet and socialise with others as well as having fun. We have played in a variety of competitions including a Paris Courbevoie tournament in 2010, which I was fortunate enough to have participated in. This experience gave me the chance to travel as well as play against other teams from Paris. Dodo Club has built my confidence both in playing football and in myself, working as part of a team, and valuing others. I am so thankful for all of the opportunities that Dodo Club has given me and the friends that I have made from here.

I’ve been playing at Dodo Club since I was 16. It’s given me the opportunity to develop skills in leadership and journalism as I was among those asked to deliver the Sunday match report every Monday for the Dodo website. It’s instilled in me the core values of being responsible and respectful to others.

Thanks to Dodo Club, I’ve built long lasting friendships, been on exciting trips abroad to France and been involved in fantastic football tournaments which has culminated in me lifting the glorious Dodo Cup for Dodo Arsenal.

I look forward to seeing the Dodo Academy grow and the club continuing to support its wider community.

I first joined Dodo Club in 1991 for a few years then had a break and returned in 2004. It has been a very good and enjoyable journey. I enjoyed the 11-a-side fast and furious football every Sunday morning and socialise with members of all ages before and after the games, and love the banters with the players for internal tournaments.
I witnessed the club grow from 6-a-side in White Hart Lane to 100 plus members with a great family atmosphere.
This is a unique club which was created and has grown all thanks to Faz Hyda the President and owner and hopefully with the new and old players we can achieve great expectations in the going years.

The four F’s of Football-Family-Friendship-Fun represent the core pillars of this unique club.

Dodo Club football has provided a unique platform here for families and kids over the past three decades. It has also given us the opportunity to visit France on numerous occasions and received a wonderful welcome from the local people and dignitaries over there.

This club provides a very good platform for the Mauritian community and other communities in North London to play football and socialise every Sunday morning. Big thanks to our good friend Faz for organising and perpetuating Dodo Club for more than three decades.

For me what makes Dodo Club unique is the camaraderie that exists amongst members of all ages, cultures and footballing abilities. Having played with Dodo Club since I was 11yrs old to my early 30s, along with my dad and brother, it has always been a time to enjoy friendships whilst playing football. Despite my life circumstances taking me away from Dodo Club at various times, I have always been drawn back and I am sure I will return again one day.

I joined Dodo Club after playing a couple of Dodo Cups for LFC as a guest player and in France (Lillebonne). When Faz asked me to properly join as a member I accepted his offer without hesitation as I wanted to be part of the Dodo family. I easily integrated the Dodo Club family and will always support the club over the years

I have been a member of Dodo Club for over 15 years now I have very good memories with the team. I went to play in France and have participated in many internal tournaments held in different venues in a good and friendly atmosphere with the help of players’ families. Even my son Umar was with the Dodo academy and played in France, and overall it has been a great experience to be a Dodo member.

I came to Dodo Club from Red Devils in france in 1994. I was referred by Moontaz Sudoolla the manager of Red Devils. Since I joined Dodo Club I noticed its gradual transformation under its founder Faz from only playing football to a friends and families club. . I have travelled to France with the Dodo family a few times to play football and enjoyed very good times in a family environment. I have also enjoyed great social times at Dodonite’s, Eid parties, etc. The kids learn the basics of football at the club’s academy football before proceeding to play at senior level . For me, Dodo Club remains essentially a family and friends club that is unique in North London.

My friendship with Faz started some 35 plus years ago. Faz worked at the local newspaper and I worked for the local council having to put regular public notices in the newspapers.
We started talking about football and at that time I was playing Sunday league matches.
Some 25 years ago, after recovering from an injury, I joined the Dodo Club. Having played for many years, we set up the Dodo academy and I was instrumental in running it with the help of Yussuf Assenjee, my nephew Jean-Luc Da Sivla, and some of the seniors who were recovering from injury. It was a good way for our senior players to get fit again as playing with youth the chance of injury is minimal and the youths also learned by playing with those experienced seniors.
I am happy to have been part of the Dodo club set- up that includes numerous family get togethers, a number of internal competitions and European trips to France. My biggest personal achievement at the club was in Paris where the Dodo youth team of 16-18 year olds represented England on behalf of Enfield Council. We won the competition and from there our link grew stronger with the local council .
I now play a back office role with the club occasionally popping round to catch up with the boys.
I encourage everyone to maintain some sort of physical activity in their life. As Dodo Club expands its horizon I am sure there will be one activity that will suit each and everyone of you and members of your family.
As a number of the original players are hitting the twilight of their playing days , we have a little clique of veterans known as the Dodo Vagabonds, created by Faz eight years ago.
I hope that the current members find their time with the Dodo Club as enjoyable as I have found it.
Stay safe and fit.

Having played for a number of years in the Sunday league I felt with age that I needed to move in a different direction to continue the sport I love yet still maintaining the team spirit and competition I had with the Sunday league.
After a hard week of work all I was looking for was a few hours of enjoyment on a Sunday morning, feeling part of a group and having joined other “social” football clubs I felt I still hadn’t found what I was looking for.
I then was introduced to Faz by a good friend Samad at a wedding and we met for coffee a few days later and Faz went through the principles, history, values and role of Dodo Club in the North London community.
I was very impressed and after Faz agreed to have me join the club I was absolutely sold on Dodo Club in my first week of playing.
This was back in 2007 and since then I have never looked back.
Although in recent years my appearance has been limited due to work commitments and injuries I have always felt involved in this wonderful club.
To sum up my feeling of how enjoyable the football was is like this: when the final whistle went I couldn’t wait for the following Sunday. Many times we would play an extra 30-40 minutes and no fatigue was felt due to enjoyment.
The football was competitive however the tackles were all fair and never over the top which I experienced virtually every week in Sunday league.
But Dodo Club is more than this.
I have made many good friends within this club and Faz has put an emphasis on the word “social”. Dodo club is open to all and opens many avenues which have been successfully implemented… Dodonite’s, Brighton trips and weekends in France, Lillebonne in particular where these memories will stay with me forever. Playing the local football team in a stadium is something virtually unheard of in the amateur game.
The above events are open to whole families and this is where I feel Dodo Club excels.
The Dodo Academy has been a huge success and as I write this today many of these young boys who started there have now graduated to the senior football.
Respect and sense of wellbeing are key values Dodo club adheres to.
The no swearing policy, home and away team kits and committed members that have been part of Dodo Club for over 30 years are some of the reasons behind the success of this club which will keep getting better and bigger in the foreseeable future.

Football, Family and Friendship is Dodo Club’s motto, and having been a member for almost 15 years, there are no better words to describe the club. Football at the club is always enjoyable, competitive, friendly, and unique – whether on a rainy Sunday morning or in a floodlit stadium as part of a showpiece competition. However, over the years it is the sense of community that has continued to connect members both old and new. I have made lifelong friends at Dodo Club, some of whom I hope will remain so long after our playing days are over. If a friendly, family-oriented club is what you’re after, there is nowhere better than Dodo Club!

I first joined Dodo Club as a young academy player over 10 years ago. Being in the academy was a great experience, learning the tricks and tips and working on our fitness to be both mentally and physically prepared for the adult team.I quickly moved into the adult team where it was an amazing challenge each week. Dodo Club has provided me with unforgettable memories such as participating in the Paris Courbevoie tournament, where our club was the only team to be picked to represent Enfield Council and it was an honour to be part of the team.
I’ve met fantastic, genuine people at this club and made even better friends. The attitude and philosophy of the club are unmatched anywhere else.
Highly recommended, family-friendly club. Join to find out for yourself!

Having been an official member for over a decade and a support for longer than that I cannot praise enough the ethos, mindset and camaraderie behind Dodo Club.
Not only ii is an environment to stay fit and healthy, it also provides a platform for friends to meet regularly and socialize which is hard enough in this modern day.

Hi there ! My name is Zulkuf Bockun, aka Zaza! l have been a member of Dodo Club for almost 2 years. In June of this year we have celebrated the club’s 32 year anniversary. It was very well organised with almost everyone attending with their families.
Our founder and leader Faz is putting alot of effort for the club to run professionally while maintaining discipline and togetherness. Big thanks to him, and I am very happy to be part of Dodo Club.

Little did I know that joining Dodo Club prior to entering my teenage years would have had such a profound affect on my life. Dodo Club is more than just a kick about, it’s a club that has given me some key foundations for life by nurturing its core values of football, family, friendship and fidelity. A club which is inclusive, diverse and welcoming to people of all ages and playing abilities.
I am proud to be part of a club that has grown to become an integral part of the community – building relationships with Enfield Council, the Football Association and even the Mayor of Lillebonne and Coquelles who kindly hosted us over wonderful weekends in France.
With the club expanding with new initiatives i.e. gymnastics and boxing it’s an exiting time to be a Dodo. I would definitely recommend it to anyone!

I’ve been with Dodo Club since the early 1990s while also part of the club’s media team. It’s really had an evolution in terms of organisation with amazing trips to Brighton and France, but its heart has always remained — family focused and with a remit well beyond football and competition.

I have been with Dodo Club for the past 10 years now. I only came across the club when I was invited as a Guest player to represent Spurs for Dodo Cup which was held at Broomfield Park.

The event was very family oriented and provided a memorable moment with friends and families. In addition, I have enjoyed every session that I’ve attended since as a full member and the annual membership was affordable and great value for money. Through the Dodo Club, I have met many wonderful people and I have been able to reclaim and maintain my fitness by playing competitively while studying.

I want to say thank you to Faz Hyda for his time and hard work, attention to detail and truly taking Dodo Club to another level. His dedication and vision are focused on Family, Friendship and Football. His attention to detail and recruiting the right members have been the focal point for the growth of the club.

Dodo Club provides young footballers with the best environment, opportunities and platform to develop their game through the Dodo Academy. It also supports the holistic development of each individual to create successful, well rounded and well balanced respectful young people.

I joined this club 12 years ago and have always enjoyed myself thoroughly here. Dodo Club believes in teamwork, friendship and moving together towards a common vision, hoping this continues for many more years to come.

I have had a great and fantastic experience as a member of Dodo Club for more than fifteen years. During that time our club has grown so much and everyone looks forward to attend the Sunday match week in week out. My family including my cousins have always been very supportive of the club where every family regardless of background is welcomed with open arms. The atmosphere especially during the Dodo Cup tournament is marvellous. There‘s music, food and refreshments. The tournament I have enjoyed most was the Magic Cup which was held in summer 2012 as a game between Holland and England. I played for Holland. The final score was 5-5 and my team Holland won on penalties. Another remarkable experience was our trip to Lillebonne in France. Our members are disciplined, punctual, wear the same Dodo kit and of course there is no swearing.
Today my role at the club is as a social member and part of the catering team for events.

Dodo club is a unique club. I first joined the club 20 years ago when I was 17 years old. The club has strong values that include Football, Family, Friendship and Fidelity. What I like about the club is they are open to everyone and they treat everyone equally. Even if you don’t even play football you can still be part of the club. I am back at the club full-time playing after I had a major knee injury years ago. Dodo Club is like my family. I enjoy talking to everyone and have good friends at the club. I am now a father of 4 kids and am looking forward to my 2 boys joining the Dodo Academy once everything is in place. This is the future for the club. Over the years I have enjoyed the many social events including Dodonite when we all come together with our families and friends. We have had a few friendly matches abroad that I played in including France and Belgium. I am looking forward to the future of the club and will continue to support Dodo Club.

When I first heard about Dodo Club I thought it was just Sunday football, but once I joined the club as a member, I quickly realised that it was more than just a football club. I have been fortunate enough to be able to travel abroad to represent the club against foreign teams which is something I have never experienced at another club. I have made several life long friends here at the club. I have enjoyed all the events that have been hosted by Dodo Club whether they were football or non football events. This is more than a club, we’re a big family of like-minded individuals that will always help each other. I know this personally as the club was there to support me through difficult times of my own. This is a club I would always be happy to call home.

If we talk about values and 3F’s (not 3 Faz lol) Football Frienship & Family, then for sure we are talking about Dodo Club. And we all know that Dodo Club is the baby of Faz. He has been building the club with love and passion and above all his spends his precious time and money for the growth of Dodo Club. If Dodo Club is still here to-day after all these years it’s in large part thanks to him. I have played some Dodo Cups and Eid Cup and also participated in a trip to Lillebonne in France. I have thoroughly enjoyed playing in these games, having lots of fun and fond memories. The Lillebonne trip in particular was very interesting and a great experience as that French club shares the same values as Dodo Club. I have also met some genuine and friendly guys along the way, and for the past eight years I’ve been a member of an exclusive club known as The Dodo Vagabonds. For sure I can say these Vagabonds guys are my second family. This is the spirit of Dodo Club. Bonne Chance Dodo Club

I joined DodoClub nearly thirty years ago, with my other 2 brothers. As I grew so the club grew alongside. From a humble beginning, playing Sunday kickabout football in the park to playing against semi-professional footballers in Lillebonne, France.
A hell of a journey, something magical.

I have met so many friends; Dodo Club has brought along a camaraderie like no other. It is not a men-members only club but based on family at the heart of everything we do.

I will always support DodoClub in every each way possible.

Truly a family club welcoming everyone’

Over the years Dodo club has provided a very important social venue for
members, families and friends to meet and share their experience of life
and living as a community. This diversity of people from different cultures
and beliefs have further enriched this experience during the numerous
social events organised by the club both local and abroad. A special mark
of gratitude and thanks goes to Faz for balancing his personal and family
commitments with the unwavering efforts, commitment, dedication and
perseverance needed to maintain this social cohesion. May the Dodo club
be around for a very long time.

It all started about 30 years ago but I remember like it was yesterday when 3 of us decided to start a football team, playing every Sunday opposite the sports centre on White Hart Lane. In true Faz spirit, the game was always on, rain or shine. Faz will remember us having a 2 a side game in heavy snow in the early days. The rest is history. The club has grown rapidly over the years but the spirit of friendship and respect for each other has survived. This is something which attracts young and old to this club and although my playing days have long gone, I feel a great sense of pride to be associated with the club as a social member. Thanks to Faz, without whose commitment, dedication and perseverance this club would never be where it is now.

I joined Dodo Club in 2011 after a friend recommended it to me. I spoke with Faz as part of my induction and he explained the club’s ethos to me. It instantly struck a chord with me in that I could see that the club’s core values set it apart from other football teams with its strong focus on fair play, fun, friendship and family.

I was made to feel welcome from day one and enjoyed getting to know many of the players, each from various generations of Dodo players and different walks of life. I also enjoyed welcoming new players myself once I’d settled in and I became one of the more established players.

Being a more mature player in his 40s, it was challenging competing with some of the sprightly youngsters but teams were always well balanced and the players older than me were a source of inspiration in how well they read the game and maintained their energy levels throughout the matches.

One of my proudest moments whilst actively involved with Dodo Club was winning the Dodo Cup with my Cheshunt Eagles team. A wonderful occasion superbly organised for all the participants and their families.

Work commitments and niggling injuries have prevented me from continuing as an active club member but the special feeling I always had when I wore the Dodo Club kit will always stay with me.

I have known Dodo Club for several decades and over the years it has progressed from strengths to strengths. I am impressed with the different age groups, the multi faiths and the diversity of the footballers in terms of nationality. The professionalism shown by the founder and its members has always impressed me. I keep going to their events to revive my younger days! I have been in discussion with Faz to bring my grandson to the club‘s academy stage and watch him grow in this wonderful family-oriented atmosphere. I wish Dodo Club long life and keep on the good work for the community at large.

I was first introuduced to Dodo Club by my neighbour and good friend Faz Hyda.

The club has a nice community feel, family-friendly, inclusive, with strong values – passionately implemented by the founder in his famous speeches.

It is a pleasure joining Dodo Club from time to time as a player or in a coaching capacity. The members are very friendly and welcoming.

I love the annual events where most of the members (regardless of age or experience) join for a football match display, then the traditional food served at the end where everyone gets together for a chat or to share ideas.

After several years of not playing football due to injury, my cousin convinced me to play with Dodo Club.

If you are looking for competitive football without the aggression and a fair environment where you can have a laugh and a joke with like minded people then Dodo Club is for you!!!

Football with the Dodo Club was always a welcome weekly highlight before I moved back to my native Australia. The club was full of great, genuine people many of whom have become friends for life. The games were always friendly but competitive and people of all skill levels were included and encouraged. I enjoyed the occasional biryani served on the pitch after games and other social occasions. Missing you all!

From the school playground and kickabouts in the park to full blooded 11-a-side in Stamford Hill in my 20s and then later at 5-a-side on astroturf, I’ve always loved football.

Over time, my need for competitive ‘win at all costs’ football lessened and so by chance, I met Faz at a wedding back in the Noughties and he told me about Dodo Club!… a primarily Mauritian family and friends-based club made up of like-minded individuals who just wanted to play football in a safe and friendly environment.

That first Sunday at White Hart Lane opposite the New River Stadium was so fun and enjoyable! Relaxed pace, building a nice team goal and sportingly applauding an opponent when they did something impressive too with plenty of laughing and joking… I could see I was in a place where I would be happy to play.

Relocating to Firs Park in Winchmore Hill saw the club welcome a larger group of players including good people from other communities such as the Goans.

Dodo Club continued to grow and as a result of Faz’s dedication, hard work and leadership to forge partnerships and alliances with local councils, businesses and other organisations, we have, over the years, enjoyed specially arranged and sponsored annual tournaments amongst our own pool of players, friendlies against other teams at local league stadiums in Coquelles and Lillebonne in France and even social events such as DodoNite where players and their families dress up and enjoy each other’s company plus tasty Mauritian food specialities such as biryani and entertainment.

As the players group expanded, a Children’s Academy was established which I became deeply involved in. Watching these enthusiastic and energetic kids make friends and have fun practising specially laid out FA-designed drills to develop their skills under the Academy motto of Honesty, Dignity and Teamwork remains some of the most special memories of my time at Dodo Club and had a huge impact on my life!

Dodo Club continues to evolve and welcome new players who want to play football in a safe, fun and friendly environment under the club motto, Football, Family, Friendship & Fidelity. Please join us if you feel this fits in with your approach to the beautiful game.

Best wishes to Dodo Club!

I had already hanged up my football boots in 2010 but a couple of years later, I felt the necessity to reach out to them, dust them off and try them on again. This time it was not about me, it was for a greater cause, to ensure that first my son gets some physical activity outdoors at least once a week.

Having spoken to several friends and acquaintances, I eventually bumped into my good friend Reaze, who mentioned MDC to me and explained what it was all about. He also added that his two sons were at the club.

I still recall my first meeting with Faz and him sharing the club’s values and vision and I quickly realised that this club was more than just a kick about in the park. MDC is all about values, an organised football club with excellent attitude from all members.

What I valued most was the time that the coaches took to spend their Sunday mornings with our kids. I seize this opportunity thank Steve B, Jean Luc and the other coaches for the excellent work they’ve done, instilling discipline, team spirit, as well as a sense community and camaraderie along the way!!

As for me, I reconnected with some old mates, made new friends and extended my professional network along the way.

Thank you Faz for having us and we hope to be able to return the favour at some point.

I became a member of the football section of the Dodo Club in 2012 thinking that taking part in a weekly Sunday morning dinnergame of football was a good way of keeping fit. Even though my comprehension of football was limited to say the least. At my welcome interview I was asked by the chairman Faz Hyda what position I was best at and I just said “a goalkeeper” because I reached back in my memory to Peter Shilton or Higuita’s scorpion kick and thought “Yeah, why not”!!!

I quickly realised Dodo Club is more than just a weekly game of football or a solution to one’s lack of fitness. It is a welcoming community which at the time was based mostly by folks who are in one way or another related to the island of Mauritius. For me who originate from central Europe it was quite an adventure culturally as well. The club organises periodic events – the flagship Dodo Club or the Magic Cup in my honour, the latter held in Brighton in front of our families. Those events are not only football events but more importantly they are family events where relatives and friends are invited to join in and take part. Delicious, mainly mauritian food is being served too.

I could write a lot about my experience at the Dodo Club. Personally what is most important for me is that I have made friendships that last, first hand learnt about culture and food I’d probably would never have an opportunity to learn about. I never knew a tiny island in another corner of the world can be so diverse. Being a member was an adventure I will never forget. It changed me in a good way and I’m glad for the opportunity and hospitality a Dodo membership has provided me.

I was first introduced to Dodo Club by a cousin of mine by the name of Samad Auchaybur, I knew he loved his football and he talked highly of the set-up at Dodo Club and invited me to contact Faz. I hadn’t played football in years and Samad said it was a perfect opportunity to join as there were a few decent players and a good Family atmosphere at the club .
I met a lot of young people and elders from the Mauritian community, some who knew my Father and some well-mannered youngsters.  There were guys from different communities which I liked .
Faz likes bringing people together to enjoy the football and the social aspects of things .Although I’ve never gone on a trip with the guys, I liked what Faz was trying to bring to the club . The last Dodo Cup I last played in was well organised and I thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Sadly, my football days are now over but I’ve kept in touch with a few of the players and it was good to hear from Faz again .

I have most recently joined Dodo Club as a full -time member. First of all this is a renowned football club within the community and I have been very eager to join the club for a long period. I have many close friends who are long term members such as Shailesh Hurdowar and Hassan Jugoo who encouraged me further to join Dodo Club on a permanent basis.

I can honestly say it has been a fantastic experience having being warmly welcomed by Faz Hyda himself along with all the members of Dodo Club. I noticed straight away the friendly and social ambiance amongst the group who are committed to playing football at a decent level and also seeing the players conduct themselves in a gentlemanly fashion. I appreciated the fact that all members would arrive on time and take the warm-up session seriously before playing a full match.

I was first introduced to Dodo Club via family members who played on a weekly basis several years ago. I then went on to join the club as a goalkeeper and continued to play for a number of years until work commitments changed my weekly routine. However, I was able to keep in touch with various members of the club through work and social means. The big Dodo Cup football tournament was absolutely fantastic to be a part of along with the banter that came along with it! I have been lucky to be on the winning side playing for ‘Spurs’ and ‘Holland’ in some tournaments. The friendly attitude of the club and Faz has meant that many friendships have been created and maintained over the years. The togetherness and collectiveness of the club and its members are top class. Looking forward to the future and hope to play a bigger part during this journey.

I joined Dodo Club a few years ago to get back into playing football with my sons, but I found the experience to be much more than just that. It was really a great experience on both a playing and membership levels. The whole ethos of the club was based around universal family values, respect for all cultures and ethnicity. The football itself was very competitive but also made to be fun. We had the odd naughty days of good old Mauritian fried cuisine after games, but Hey! you only live once… There’s a lot more to this club than just sports and there’s not enough space for me to write everything but one thing for sure if you want a club that’s welcoming, open and fun without compromising simple values Dodo Club is for you,…. Akhtar (AKA Romario )

I have been a lifelong member of Dodo Club for nearly thirty years and I remember joining the club while jogging in the park and I am happy to have done so as it gives that sense of community feel of welcoming and friendly environment,making friends and having fun and exercise and also enjoy the events.Thank you management.

I have been playing football in Mauritius for Fire Brigade from 1980 to 1985. I came to UK in 2008 it was a great thing when my cousin Steve Bumstead introduced me to Dodo Club. All players and officials were friendly. It was a sensational experience to play for ‘Liverpool’ in the Dodo Cup and also in the Q1 Cup Final at Haringay Stadium in White Hart Lane. It was well organised and hats off to the organiser Faz. Hope one day the team will expand and produce good players.

I would like first of all to take this opportunity to say a Big Thank You and Well Done to Dodo Club for the many years that I have been a member of. Dodo Club is not just a football club where we all enjoy a great workout on Sunday mornings in a very fun, friendly and safe environment but a club that brings friends and families of all ages together with social events and outings where everyone shares lovely food and drinks together.

Beginning my journey at Dodo Club over a decade ago, I started my footballing career as a Dodo Academy player and with the great coaching at the club from Steve Bumstead and Jean-Luc Da Sivla I worked my way into the senior team! This club has not only taught me great skills on the pitch but also off the pitch, making many new friends who’ve turned out to be like family.

I highly recommend you join this family oriented club and look forward to nutmegging you on the pitch whether on my team or not!

I was approached to join Dodo Club as they saw the qualities in me. I was then taken on a trial with the club, it was a staggering opportunity. A truly welcoming club.

As time went on in my time at the club, I got to know a lot of new people and made some great friends along my career. Dodo Club gave me the aspects of expanding my skills and qualities that I did not know i could reach. I am grateful for that and will always continue to work hard for Dodo Club. Everything about Dodo Club is perfect, well structured and with great leaders. A wonderful club if you’re looking to expand your skills and also develop among great friends.

To reach the goals and assists that I did, 100% I would recommend to join Dodo Club and you can thank me later!

I’ve been a member of Dodo Club for over 15 years now as a goalkeeper.

I was able to use my goalkeeping experience to both play and coach the younger players.

Everyone is always so welcoming and friendly. I look forward to meeting everyone on Sundays.

Some of us more mature players have formed a social group called Dodo Vagabonds, which has been amazing. We are very close, everyone understands each other and we always have a good time. I thank everyone in the team for its great team spirit, and especially Faz for organising many events, which are always enjoyable.

I’m very happy to have joined Dodo Club because it’s very friendly & has respectful people. Dodo Club is my second family. I love you all

My experience of Dodo Club is that it is a very welcoming club. A great place for all ages to integrate and bond through the beautiful game of football. Also a great family environment.

As an ex-professional football player in Mauritius I gave up football for 10 years until I had the chance to play again at Dodo Club. This was not only a great opportunity for me personally but also for my family as we have met lots of new people who have become long-time friends. My two daughters were also part of the Dodo Club as they helped at the very beginning of the Dodo Academy where they have also had lots of fun and opportunities to play abroad in France.

I have only been at Dodo Club for a short period of time. After meeting the team and the founder it didn’t take me long to make the decision of joining the club full-time. They were very welcoming. The weekly training/warm-up session is fun and the games are always competitive without being aggressive. I have really enjoyed working with Dodo Club and would fully recommend it.

Having recently joined Dodo Club, I was pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of the players and staff. They all welcomed me and introduced themselves and made me feel at home from day 1.

The squad has a great atmosphere and the football is clearly enjoyed by all. It’s highly competitive and everyone plays to win, however, it’s played in a fair manner and with respect. And these are the things that sit closely with my own values.

I would recommend this club to anyone who loves their football and enjoys being competitive, in a safe and welcoming environment.

I have recently joined Dodo Club as a full-time member which I have been very eager to join. This is a prestigious football club inside the local area and I have been exceptionally anxious to join the club for a significant stretch. I have dear companions here alongside my sibling who are all long haul members of over ten years, for example, Kacper and Curtish who urged me further to join Dodo Club on an extremely durable premise.

I can genuinely say it has been a phenomenal encounter having being energetically welcomed by Faz Hyda himself alongside every one of the individuals from Dodo Club. I saw straightaway the amicable and social feeling among the gathering who are focused on playing football at a decent level and furthermore seeing the players act in an honorable manner. I liked the way that all individuals would show up on schedule and view the warm-up meeting in a serious way prior to playing a full match. I look forward to playing with the team on a regular basis and seeing the continued progression of the club.

It has been a privilege to be part of Dodo Club which I joined more than twenty years ago. I am also part of the management team, supporting Faz on the operational side and taking care of logistics for our special events. We have great members and a wonderful family atmosphere. I have particularly enjoyed our family trips to France and to the south coast where we have also played football. Our level of football is decent for a club that does not compete in the league. I am excited by the current transformation of Dodo Club into a multisport club as this will bring more families to join. Long may this continue!

In the fifteen years I have been a happy member of Dodo Club I have seen this unique family-oriented club growing from strengths to strengths. Today I am in the twilight on my playing career but hugely proud to be part of the Welfare Officers team, making sure members are happy and motivated, and helping new members settle in. Dodo Club can count on my family’s continued support for many more years to come. We want to play our role fully in helping Dodo Club reach fifty years of existence.

Dodo Club is a unique club in every way. I have been a member for twenty-five years and participated in every event here and abroad, from exciting internal tournaments like Dodo Cup and Q1 Cup and experienced the unique feeling of playing in French stadiums in front of our families and French spectators. Whilst I am fortunate and fit enough to still be playing with much younger members in the club’s Fast & Furious weekly competitive game, I am looking forward to joining the slower veterans’ game as one of the Dodo Forever Youngs! I am also very happy to be part of the club’s team of Welfare Officers, making sure all members are happy on and off the pitch.

I feel privileged to express my genuine appreciation about Dodo Club as an ex-member and a fervent football player. I was introduced to the Club by a close friend Faz around 2010 and since then I have played regularly with the club and I also had the opportunity to participate in a number of events. I was really impressed by the exceptional leadership of Faz and his dedication towards the club. During my active time with the club I felt valued by all the members, followers and volunteers who were part of Dodo club.

I have been in the UK for the past 25 years and I am really proud for being part of the Dodo Club family. I feel blessed for having met some great people who were really caring, compassionate and
considerate. They always made me feel welcomed and reminded me of the great moments I have spent when I was amongst my loved ones in Mauritius. At this particular juncture, I am delighted to hear that Dodo Club is going through a period of revamp with a view to bringing our friends and families together. I have and I will always support the organising team in their endeavour and I wish them good luck. I have no doubt that Dodo club will thrive to succeed in this new venture.