Corinthian-Casuals FC are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement for Epsom & Ewell FC to groundshare at King George’s Arena for two seasons from the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Salts currently play in the Combined Counties Premier Division South and have been without a home ground of their own since moving out of their West Street ground in 1993.

It is hoped their move to Tolworth – a short journey from the borough of Epsom & Ewell – will be beneficial to both clubs and we look forward to enjoying a close working relationship with their committee, staff and supporters.

“I’m very happy to have made this agreement with Epsom & Ewell,” said Brian Adamson, Chairman of Corinthian-Casuals. “It’s a club we have a good relationship with and we’re looking forward to having them with us.”

Mel Tough, Chairman of Epsom & Ewell FC, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Epsom & Ewell to be at the closest ground to our borough.

“I would like to thank Corinthian-Casuals for agreeing to the share and look forward to developing the good relationship, and helping to get both historic clubs back to where they belong.”

Dan O’Donovan joined us at the turn of the year and has made an instant impression between the posts for Paul Barnes’ new-look Casuals side in 2024. Dominic Bliss sat down with the 20-year-old keeper after our 1-1 draw with Southall on Saturday…

Dan, we picked up an important point with a 1-1 draw against second-placed Southall on Saturday, and we looked good value for it. What was your take on that performance?

I think a big difference was that we went with the wind in the first half, so we made sure we were on top at the start, and I think the new boys coming in added just that bit more energy as well.

We really took it to them. I think Southall came here thinking we’d lost our last four or five on the bounce so it would be an easy one for them, but we really showed the togetherness that we’re starting to build now. It’s a fraction of what we need to do to get ourselves out of the situation we’re in, but I’m really looking forward to the games to come.

Has it been a case of squad-building these last few weeks?

Yeah, I think Barnsey’s done a really good job of getting the players together as much as he can really, with the short amount of time we’ve had. As the chairman said in the programme, it’s been like a pre-season halfway through the season, which is obviously not ideal, but I think we’re finally starting to look like we’re getting it right.
That was the first time this squad has all played together and I think we did really well – it’s on the incline now.

What’s your background and how did you come to join us mid-season?

I’ve been in non-league for a few years now. I’ve been at Step 6, then Step 5 last year and this year my aim was to play Step 4. I started the season at Merstham but didn’t get into the squad unfortunately, then I got a call from Carshalton Athletic because their keeper got injured and they needed someone to fill in. I went there, played six or seven games and I think I did really well.

Circumstances meant I didn’t end up staying there, but the experience was crucial for me, especially the mental side of things, knowing I can play at that level, I can play higher.

I got a call from a man that both Barnsey and I know, saying that he needed a keeper here, and explaining the situation at Corinthian-Casuals. This is more-or-less on my doorstep, it’s at Step 4 and obviously, with the history of this club, I couldn’t say no to the opportunity. I’ve known about this club for a long time, from youth level when I was with the Kinetic Foundation, who used to play their Under-18s here in the FA Youth Cup.

Quade Taylor is a former professional who joined us this January after working with Paul Barnes in the past. The 30-year-old – who can play in central defence or midfield – tells us about his journey to this point and his hopes for the coming months at Casuals…
 
Interview: Dominic Bliss
Image: Stuart Tree
 
What attracted you to move to Corinthian-Casuals in the middle of a tough season for us?
 
If I’m being honest, in my current circumstances, where I haven’t been playing football this season for one reason or another, I was big on location. I wanted somewhere I could play that would work around family and work. I live in Clapham Junction, so it ticks the boxes in that sense.

Also, it was a chance to work with Barnesy, who I know well and have worked with a couple of times now, at Dulwich Hamlet and Hastings. So there were no surprises – I know what I’m getting from him. It doesn’t matter whether it’s his best day or his worst day, you know exactly what you’re getting.

Then there’s the club itself and the fans. We are not in the best form or the best position, but you saw last Tuesday night at Raynes Park that the fans are there through thick and thin, after each and every game. Even when they could easily turn on us, they are still encouraging us.

What they have shown us in the short time I’ve been here has been brilliant.
 
Do you know much about the history of the club?
 
I do know bits and bobs, because over the years, a few of my friends have played here, and I have played against the club in the FA Cup and pre-season games. So I do know the history, to an extent, but I don’t know the full ins and outs yet.
 
What’s your football back story?
 
To begin with, I was at Dulwich briefly, and I played in the first team when I was 17, which got me a move to Crystal Palace straight away. I didn’t break through at Palace, but it was a great experience playing professional football, and then I followed Dougie Freedman to Bolton. I was there for two years and it was completely different. I was in the first-team setup for the whole time, and I eventually made my debut, which was a dream come true for me.

It was an experience where I got a taste of it, and I didn’t fulfil my potential but that has nurtured me to understand the game better and be able to help other players. With the experience I’ve got, I’m an open book and this squad are really good at listening and taking on advice.
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​Since then, you’ve spent time with a few non-league sides, mainly Dulwich Hamlet, which is a club with a strong identity. Similarly, Casuals has always existed as an alternative to the professional ranks and as a place for footballers to fall back in love with the game, which feels like a good fit for you right now. Is that fair?
 
Yeah, it’s exactly that. You couldn’t have put it any better. This year, I have taken some time away from football and I got a call from Barnesy around the New Year, asking if I wanted to come here.

​I wasn’t sceptical about it, I don’t look at the position we’re in and think, “Oh no, that’s not for me.” The decision was more about myself, but since I’ve been here I’ve seen a style of play developing, even if the results haven’t improved. It’s just a couple of areas, like lack of concentration and mistakes, not being able to consistently perform to the level that we want, that’s letting us down at the moment. But there’s definitely huge improvements in the time I’ve been here.
 
Do you see reasons for optimism?
 
For sure. One thing with Barnesy and Justin [Fevrier] is that they’re very honest with us and if there’s anybody who is not reaching the standards or being accountable for their performances, they will let them know. If that means bringing in an extra one or two players to raise the competition, then they will do that, and I think the boys understand that. You can see in training now that everyone wants to fight for their place, no one is happy just turning up and being on the bench. They all want to stake a claim and I think that’s the best thing that can happen to us because it pushes everyone to raise their standards, which ultimately should show on the pitch and reflect in results.