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TNL Live, also known historically as Thursday Night Lights, is a football game like no other. It's unrivalled in any capacity and is widely regarded as the best football and team bonding initiative in the world. What makes TNL Live unique is the fact that the games are more competitive than any Premier League fixture, yet TNL Live is not, and will never be part of any league or competition because it’s already in a league of its own. In any ordinary game of football, you get out exactly what you put in. With TNL Live, the reward is far greater.
So... how did it all start?In the mid 90's, a gentleman by the name of Eric Powell organised a weekly kick about with friends and work colleagues. This game took place at 19:00 most Thursdays at Durham University's Maiden Castle (Graham Sports Centre) complex and would typically run from March until September. Every player paid a set fee that would more than cover the pitch cost, with all remaining monies being placed into a kitty fund, known as "the Bear". Every December, those who had played the games would assemble in Durham and the Bear would pay for all the alcohol. This cycle continued for many years but eventually, new faces were needed. Life can take us all down a certain path and this was the case when Eric's friends and colleagues started to move away due to work and family commitments. During this transitional period, Martin Lightfoot had not long started employment at Eric's then workplace, TRW, and he too was invited to play the elusive Thursday night game. As Martin was firmly establishing himself as a priority player, a defining moment was about to happen. On Thursday 18th April 2002, Martin's younger brother Dan was studying at Durham Sixth Form Centre and on this particular day, had agreed to go on a date with Tanya Marlow of Langley Park. Unfortunately, this date was to be no great love story or even a tale of lust. Dan wasn't enjoying the date and couldn’t wait to escape. For the record, she was a pretty lady, but Dan and Tanya were two completely different people. The thought of being on this date for hours on end was simply not an option that Dan wanted to consider. Fate was listening. Dan’s phone rang. There had been a drop out from the game in Durham and Eric urgently needed a replacement. Seeing this as his perfect escape route, Dan agreed without hesitation to fill the vacancy on the condition that Martin brought Dan's football gear from Peterlee. Dan jumped on the first bus from Langley Park to Durham without realising the life changing decision he had just made. As a then 17 year old with a Jonny Depp jawline and a hairline that any Hollywood star would envy, Dan wasn’t too concerned about leaving a pretty girl behind, for he was about to fall in love in a way he never knew was possible. 45 minutes after receiving Martin's phone call, Dan was at the gates of the now legendary Maiden Castle, ready to make his elusive Thursday night debut. 80 minutes later, Dan was never the same again. He loved the game and the principles it represented. From that night, he was hooked but couldn't play every week due to a combination of college studies, dressing up at the legendary college parties and of course, others being ahead of him in the pecking order. Patience is a virtue though and by 2004, Dan was a first choice player, occasionally stepping in as the master of ceremonies when other commitments prevented Eric from attending. By the end of 2004, Dan had introduced his own friends David Border and Brian Gilmore, who then too became regulars. For the two years that followed, Thursday football had a stable squad but by Summer 2006, more faces were needed. Along came Ian Alderson, Michael Illingworth, Paul Mercer, Mark Taylor, Martyn Park and Lee Whiteman. 2006 was also the year that Dan took over full recruitment duties whilst Eric remained treasurer. All of this was a lesson in life for Dan, a now impressionable 21 year old. As 2007 arrived, Eric was unable to commit to as many games due to his workload and time with his children. Without stringent organisation, the game wouldn't survive. Dan was committed. He took it upon himself and announced he was the new host; arranging all fixtures, recruiting all squads and organising the now legendary Follow The Bear events. This game was no longer just a Thursday night kick about; it was re-branded as Thursday Night Lights. A year later, Dan had added five a side games at Dene Academy (then Dene House) to the calendar. These games would take place every Monday and Thursday evening when Maiden Castle wasn't available for hire. There were now two games a week and the only time the lads weren't playing was if there was a bank holiday or the school was closed. In just over 12 months, the average amount of games jumped from 25 to 90, which resulted in the kitty fund increasing from £300.00 annually to approximately £1,000.00. In the Summer of 2018 and after 10 a year run of two games per week, Monday evening games were cancelled due to Dan's working commitments. Other members within the squad were considered as permanent hosts to keep the Monday games going, but intensive trials showed that they fell short of the stratospheric standards that Dan demanded. Around this time, Dan was also alleged to have told an undercover journalist "nobody runs a show better than me." Whilst that statement may be considered true, the journalist was unable to produce any evidence and was eventually forced to apologise to Dan after investigations found that it was an ill conceived attempt to cause unrest within TNL Live. Dan accepted the apology and rejected financial compensation, opting instead for the journalist to donate to Cancer Research UK. With Monday's officially cancelled and Thursday's being the only game, the name Thursday Night Lights was retired, and the games were now known as TNL Live. In part, this was done due to the suitability of a website domain name, but also as a grateful nod to Maiden Castle. Many people have asked where the name Thursday Night Lights originated. Dan suggested this name when he first started playing at Maiden Castle many years ago. There was something special, magic and other worldly about these games and without them, today’s games would simply not exist. Regardless of which road you travelled on to get to Maiden Castle, you would get to a certain point on one of these roads and suddenly see the majestic lights beaming out from the valley. This sight would often put a lump in your throat. It was an event that people looked forward to weeks in advance. Dan even cut short a lad's holiday in Ibiza to participate in one of the games. When some games had to be cancelled due to torrential floods, players were genuinely devastated and would not consider other venues - they even volunteered to help clear the flood water in the hope of getting the games to go ahead. These games were very special to many people. They were.... respected, loved and adored. These games started it all and TNL Live are forever thankful for the seed that was planted.
Today, the love for TNL Live is as strong now as it was when it all started. TNL Live's most common game format is indoor five a side but in the warmer months each year, outdoor games are booked to accommodate larger squads.
TNL Live is more than just a game of football. If you enjoy playing the beautiful game and making lifelong friends, then joining our football revolution is the only choice. If you're interested, please submit your details via our contact form - it will change your life.
Every footballer dreams of success. Here at TNL Live... your dreams are our reality.
So... how did it all start?In the mid 90's, a gentleman by the name of Eric Powell organised a weekly kick about with friends and work colleagues. This game took place at 19:00 most Thursdays at Durham University's Maiden Castle (Graham Sports Centre) complex and would typically run from March until September. Every player paid a set fee that would more than cover the pitch cost, with all remaining monies being placed into a kitty fund, known as "the Bear". Every December, those who had played the games would assemble in Durham and the Bear would pay for all the alcohol. This cycle continued for many years but eventually, new faces were needed. Life can take us all down a certain path and this was the case when Eric's friends and colleagues started to move away due to work and family commitments. During this transitional period, Martin Lightfoot had not long started employment at Eric's then workplace, TRW, and he too was invited to play the elusive Thursday night game. As Martin was firmly establishing himself as a priority player, a defining moment was about to happen. On Thursday 18th April 2002, Martin's younger brother Dan was studying at Durham Sixth Form Centre and on this particular day, had agreed to go on a date with Tanya Marlow of Langley Park. Unfortunately, this date was to be no great love story or even a tale of lust. Dan wasn't enjoying the date and couldn’t wait to escape. For the record, she was a pretty lady, but Dan and Tanya were two completely different people. The thought of being on this date for hours on end was simply not an option that Dan wanted to consider. Fate was listening. Dan’s phone rang. There had been a drop out from the game in Durham and Eric urgently needed a replacement. Seeing this as his perfect escape route, Dan agreed without hesitation to fill the vacancy on the condition that Martin brought Dan's football gear from Peterlee. Dan jumped on the first bus from Langley Park to Durham without realising the life changing decision he had just made. As a then 17 year old with a Jonny Depp jawline and a hairline that any Hollywood star would envy, Dan wasn’t too concerned about leaving a pretty girl behind, for he was about to fall in love in a way he never knew was possible. 45 minutes after receiving Martin's phone call, Dan was at the gates of the now legendary Maiden Castle, ready to make his elusive Thursday night debut. 80 minutes later, Dan was never the same again. He loved the game and the principles it represented. From that night, he was hooked but couldn't play every week due to a combination of college studies, dressing up at the legendary college parties and of course, others being ahead of him in the pecking order. Patience is a virtue though and by 2004, Dan was a first choice player, occasionally stepping in as the master of ceremonies when other commitments prevented Eric from attending. By the end of 2004, Dan had introduced his own friends David Border and Brian Gilmore, who then too became regulars. For the two years that followed, Thursday football had a stable squad but by Summer 2006, more faces were needed. Along came Ian Alderson, Michael Illingworth, Paul Mercer, Mark Taylor, Martyn Park and Lee Whiteman. 2006 was also the year that Dan took over full recruitment duties whilst Eric remained treasurer. All of this was a lesson in life for Dan, a now impressionable 21 year old. As 2007 arrived, Eric was unable to commit to as many games due to his workload and time with his children. Without stringent organisation, the game wouldn't survive. Dan was committed. He took it upon himself and announced he was the new host; arranging all fixtures, recruiting all squads and organising the now legendary Follow The Bear events. This game was no longer just a Thursday night kick about; it was re-branded as Thursday Night Lights. A year later, Dan had added five a side games at Dene Academy (then Dene House) to the calendar. These games would take place every Monday and Thursday evening when Maiden Castle wasn't available for hire. There were now two games a week and the only time the lads weren't playing was if there was a bank holiday or the school was closed. In just over 12 months, the average amount of games jumped from 25 to 90, which resulted in the kitty fund increasing from £300.00 annually to approximately £1,000.00. In the Summer of 2018 and after 10 a year run of two games per week, Monday evening games were cancelled due to Dan's working commitments. Other members within the squad were considered as permanent hosts to keep the Monday games going, but intensive trials showed that they fell short of the stratospheric standards that Dan demanded. Around this time, Dan was also alleged to have told an undercover journalist "nobody runs a show better than me." Whilst that statement may be considered true, the journalist was unable to produce any evidence and was eventually forced to apologise to Dan after investigations found that it was an ill conceived attempt to cause unrest within TNL Live. Dan accepted the apology and rejected financial compensation, opting instead for the journalist to donate to Cancer Research UK. With Monday's officially cancelled and Thursday's being the only game, the name Thursday Night Lights was retired, and the games were now known as TNL Live. In part, this was done due to the suitability of a website domain name, but also as a grateful nod to Maiden Castle. Many people have asked where the name Thursday Night Lights originated. Dan suggested this name when he first started playing at Maiden Castle many years ago. There was something special, magic and other worldly about these games and without them, today’s games would simply not exist. Regardless of which road you travelled on to get to Maiden Castle, you would get to a certain point on one of these roads and suddenly see the majestic lights beaming out from the valley. This sight would often put a lump in your throat. It was an event that people looked forward to weeks in advance. Dan even cut short a lad's holiday in Ibiza to participate in one of the games. When some games had to be cancelled due to torrential floods, players were genuinely devastated and would not consider other venues - they even volunteered to help clear the flood water in the hope of getting the games to go ahead. These games were very special to many people. They were.... respected, loved and adored. These games started it all and TNL Live are forever thankful for the seed that was planted.
Today, the love for TNL Live is as strong now as it was when it all started. TNL Live's most common game format is indoor five a side but in the warmer months each year, outdoor games are booked to accommodate larger squads.
TNL Live is more than just a game of football. If you enjoy playing the beautiful game and making lifelong friends, then joining our football revolution is the only choice. If you're interested, please submit your details via our contact form - it will change your life.
Every footballer dreams of success. Here at TNL Live... your dreams are our reality.
Page updated: Sunday 1st January 2023 @ 08:16
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