Signs on the walls of the concrete Canute Gardens create the impression that it is a rules-based place. ‘No parties’, ‘no barbeques’, ‘no ball games’ they state and, at the metal gates to the football cage where a group of boys are kicking a ball around, ‘No under-12s’.
But when it comes to football here there are no rules, actually, only free spirits.
In the chill of the late afternoon, a dispute briefly arises about that age limit with two boys who look at least 15, though no-one’s heart is in the argument and the game runs on.