What is the origin story for FC Cypress? Who founded the club and why?
In the utter mess that was COVID, the team that I was playing for went through a bit of a shakeup of personnel. Seeking ultimately what most everyone involved in the league looks for, I [Douglas Perkins] started FC Cypress club so that myself, a group of lads I have grown close to through the sport, and anyone else who share those values could play the game they love. Being part of the South West Premier League community already, it was a no brainer to register with them. The players and the league administrators were those I had established relationships with and luckily we’ve been able to add numbers to that community.

Last year was the club’s first full-length season. It was a tough season full of injuries, goals, dramatic victories, and the birth of some valued rivals. It went right down to the wire and we won the title on the last day of the season. It wasn’t something we specifically set out to achieve, but as our capabilities became quite clear, it was just a matter of keeping focused and keeping healthy - taking the season one month at a time.

Earning promotion and entering this season, it has been much the same. We lost two-thirds of our players, spent a summer recruiting, and prioritized creating a positive environment to play in over any performance standards. From that, just like last season, through our love for the sport and commitment to coming out and playing it, our capabilities became clear and we’ve striven - not to win every match and win silverware - but to hold ourselves to those standards. Ultimately, however, we are an organization dedicated to recreation. The joy for the game and the opportunity to play at a healthy level is what takes precedence here.

How can people support FC Cyprus.
FC Cypress is a Sunday league team in the truest sense. The commercial aspect of the club is almost nonexistent. Outside of playing football, we don’t have any goals or even any presence beyond an Instagram page (fc_cypress). Even this really only serves to benefit the players and their personal supporters.

Being dedicated to football and football solely, the best way anyone could support the club would be in ways that contribute to our positive footballing environment. Supporters, support. There’s nothing better than scoring a goal and turning to see someone you care about witness it - except maybe that person having videoed it. We generally welcome and invite more like-people to join our community however way they can.

Support from outside of the club can come in the form of business partnerships. Sport can be expensive, and unfortunately we’ve had a lot of great guys and great players step away because they struggle to find funding. We have a social page with some minor following where we can promote potential sponsors and partners. Additionally, our current jersey features one of our partners and there’s room for more.

If you could schedule a friendly or two with any clubs within a 100 miles, who would you play and why?
In our short history, a couple of competing clubs stand out. One of them is Viet OC. They share a vision and set of values similar to us, and their football is fantastic. Every game we’ve had with them has been an intense affair with the right mix of technicality, passion, talent, and respect. Matches against them are what we all play football for.

Another is Buena Park FC. They’ve got grit, and they don’t stop fighting. This makes our matches combative, but again like with Viet, the respect for each other’s game creates a great atmosphere. I know a lot of those guys on a personal level and I’ll always wish them all the very best.

Give FC Cyprus a follow on Instagram HERE