Council leader Nasim Ali, the last time Camden's Labour Party played the Camden New Journal.

COCKY old Camden Labour Party have been spreading it around the internet and telling anybody who will listen to their droning voices that they will roll over the Camden New Journal’s 8-a-side team in a football match-up on Tuesday night. They think some youthful new councillors will be too much for the hardened hacks of Camden Road. But the charity match – in aid of the Pakistan flood relief appeal – will surely not be as one-sided as they say. Surely.

Last time the unfit hacks playd the unfit politicians: the scoreline was 7-7. That was two years ago. In the new climate, does old group leader Raj Chada find a place on the team-sheet? And is it true that they are drafting in London Assembly member Murad Qureshi, the Manchester United supporting Quintin Kynaston old boy [you see how he supports his local team], to bolster their ranks? It should be an interesting night – and for one of the best of causes.

That said, isn’t it time the other political groups got their boots on. I think I still have a scar on my calf from a bruising tackle delivered by Brian Cattell, the old Conservative councillor for Hampstead who boxed for fun in his spare time, in a friendly match at Talacre going way back. It’s been years since we’ve seen the Tories on the pitch: so come on Messrs Williams, Bucknell and Mennear. Once we’ve routed Labour’s puny line-up, we deserve to play you lot in the next round.

* The New Journal vs Camden Labour Party match is at Haverstock School on Tuesday September 14, 2010. 6pm kick off. Suggested donations to Pakistan Flood Appeal: £10.