Draft:Streatham Rovers

Streatham Rovers is a fake football club. It was invented by Twitter user Trevor Bastard.

The Streatham Rovers claim to be based in Streatham, Lambeth, England. Having no affiliation to the London Football Association, they are currently members of the Xtermin8 Rat Poison Football League and play at the Greyhound Lane Stadium.

History
Originally established in 1917, the club were the first team in Britain to adopt sponsored kits following a sponsorship deal with OPEC in 1973. More recently known for their social media presence, in November 2009 the official account of Streatham Rovers was mistakenly suspended by Twitter following concern over fake news during the UK parliamentary election campaign. In March 2022 the club's manager threatened to sue Exeter City FC for copyright infringement after they used the club's motto #NeverStopNotGivingUp in a match day programme.

It has been speculated that Streatham Rovers were the inspiration for the hit American television series Ted Lasso.

Ground
Streatham Rovers play their home games at the Greyhound Lane stadium in Streatham. The stand along one length of the pitch is named the Joe Beringer Stand while the terraces behind either goal are named the Carpark End and the Commonside End.

In June 2022 it was revealed that the club’s owners had sold the majority of the ground to a real-estate investment firm, leaving only a swastika shaped section of the pitch in the club’s hands. Later that same year a food vendor at the ground was hospitalised after receiving serious burns on-site.

Supporters
Streatham Rovers are known to have a small but loyal fan base. A supporters association called the Streatham Hardline Independent Trust operates independently of the club. The club has two separate ultras groups named the Greyhound Ultras, who are known to be left-leaning, and the Authento-Brigade, who are politically right-wing. Fans of the club have set up an amateur Streatham Rovers Supporters Team.

Rivalries
Streatham Rovers have a fierce rivalry with Dynamo Catford FC, another non-league football club from south London. During an away game against Dynamo in 1983 fans of Streatham Rovers accidently set fire to a nearby orphanage.

In 2019 it was reported by the Daily Star that Sydenham United had produced a team sheet spelling out a profanity by using the initials of Streatham Rovers players names prior to their Xtermin8 Rat Poison League meeting. The controversy was also featured on the satirical news programme Have I Got News for You.