Poole Town’s Kristian Campbell’s Sunday 11th January 2026 will live long in the memory, after his side Wembley Rangers, managed by Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, were crowned Baller League Season Two Champions, following a 4-3 win over last season’s winners, SDS.
As well as playing regular Southern League football every week, Campbell also plays in the popular Baller League, a six a side tournament made up of non-league players as well as former professional players such as Martyn Waghorn and Timmy Abraham.
The Poole Town full back debuted in the first season of Baller League last year, initially coming into the team as a wildcard pick, but has now established himself as a regular in the Rangers squad.
Campbell scored on his Baller League debut last season and managed to add to his Baller League goal tally this season on matchday 11, in a crucial game against Chloe Kelly’s Clutch FC, in a 6-3 win.
The former Hampton & Richmond full back has played 32 times for Poole this season, starting 22 times and scoring once, in the FA Cup First Round Qualifying Replay win against Didcot Town.
Campbell also represents England, playing for the England six a side team, and it was through the Three Lions six a side team, he managed to get involved in Baller League:
He said: “I didn’t know anything about Baller League when it was first happening, it was at the end of an England six a side training session my coach mentioned it.
“My coach, Ross Cable, asked me if I wanted to be involved as a wildcard pick for the opening night of Baller League and I couldn’t turn that down.”
The first season was difficult for Rangers, and Campbell explained: “In the first season we didn’t really get to grips with it, there was lots of rotation, meaning it was hard for the squad to really gel.
“Season two became a lot better, we had a solid squad and it remained pretty much the same all the way through, and as you can tell from the end result.”
With the tournament being broadcasted live on YouTube and Sky Sports, Campbell has experienced increased media attention as well as a whole new footballing experience.
Campbell said: “I wasn’t sure what the reception would be, but the amount of views and the amount that people pay attention to it, it’s probably one of the greatest experiences I’ve had in my life.
“The celebrities that are there are so invested, the amount of time that Ian Wright and Alan Shearer have put into our team, is not something that I expected.”
Training twice a week with Poole and playing and training with Wembley Rangers is something Campbell has had to balance, as well as gaining permission from Poole to allow him to play in Baller League.
He said: “Sometimes it is a bit of a challenge balancing the training I do with Poole and in Baller league, but it is something I’m trying to make the most of just for the time that I’m fit, I just want to enjoy every part of football that I can.
“I have to say thanks to Pat Suraci, Joe Lea and others at Poole for allowing me to play in it alongside playing semi pro for Poole, I know there’s a lot of clubs in non-league releasing players for doing Baller League.
“I’ve had a few teammates who have actually been released for doing it, so again credit to Poole for allowing me to be involved in this experience.”
In the lead up to the Final, everyone had written Rangers off all season long, and Campbell added: “There was a lot of disrespect towards us in regards to where we’d finish as a team, people were saying we’re anti football and a team of bullies.
“We were given a 2% chance of winning the whole thing, and look what we did.”
Campbell also played 65 minutes, the day prior to the final, in Poole’s 1-1 draw away at Hanwell Town, and sustained an ankle injury nearly ruling him out of Sunday’s final.
(Kris Campbell warming up. Photograph: Jacob Deighton.)
Campbell said: “The whole of Saturday night I had ice on my ankle, I was doing everything to make sure I could play in that final.
“Every muscle around my ankle was so tight, even when it came to playing, even warming up, I just couldn’t run.
“In the last few minutes of the final I was meant to come on again, but I just couldn’t.”
Speaking on Sunday’s Baller League triumph, Campbell said: “The experience was incredible, it’s something that’s going to live with me for a while, it was such a special day for sure.
“I facetimed my daughter afterwards, and we were celebrating and enjoying the moment.”
With Baller League wrapped up for another season, Campbell’s full focus is turned to helping Poole Town achieve promotion, to the National League South.
By Jacob Deighton
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