On 15 March, Univ students, Old Members, friends, academics and staff took part in the annual Univ Football Day. A number of teams battled it out on the pitch in the hope of winning Univ’s coveted Football Cups – The Gerry Fitzsimons Cup and The Bill Sykes Challenge Cup. Andrew Carroll (1977, PPE) has kindly provided a report of the event.

One of the finest sporting sights is the Sports Ground on that special Saturday in early March. Robbie Eason and his team lay on pitches to match the expectations of any Gooner or Tiki-Taka. Julie Boyle and her team lay on Premiership hospitality with unmatched value and warmth. And the heavenly powers have been with us for more than a decade now. Sun shining, one of the 1970s literati observed, cumulus clouds stretched across the sky, the cool air made the conditions as perfect as could be. Then the football began.

Chatter had it that the JCR had turned up this year with serious talent not seen for some time, taken by Nick Smith and the Golden Generation to mean since the 1970/80s. A JCR 25-yard screamer was the first goal of the day, but we waited three games to see it. As their bubble of hope faded, serious talent graduated to the trophy-hunting WCR, who had slotted home the second goal and went on to score a few more.

The Greens were up for it, qualifying undefeated from the group stage. But hampered thereafter by their skipper becoming one of two hospitalisations. Tim Firth and Mike Fiebig, we wish you well lads and hope for speedy and comfortable recoveries – and thanks, for his help on the day, to First Aider Chris Maskall.

Close game followed close game, most goals being late and decisive. The football meandered on, with one speaking for many in a post-match analysis, “You know, I can’t remember anything happening in that game.” But there was much to excite the enduring competitive spirit of the Univ family: men, women, children, friends and our Keble guests – everyone welcoming and enthusiastic. Fantastic fun, incredible atmosphere, always a highlight of the year.

Excitement came with the inevitable penalties as a familiar tactic took hold; hang on for fifteen minutes, our best chance is pens. Spectators re-focused. On the touchline chattering ceased. On the pitch it was glory or misery. Unbounded joy as half of Oxford’s talent went bonkers whilst the other half fell into a prime seat for the Six Nations on TV or in the sun, with a warm English beer and the often-spoken thought “You know, I’m quite glad we’ve been knocked out.”

For the Reds, it was truly a tale of two halves. The 90s Reds topped the veteran group with mixed emotion as it meant promotion to the knock-out with the Youngsters. A remarkable triumph over Greens followed by a game too far in the final up against a strong WCR and twenty-five-year age gap. Well done you 90s Reds and congratulations to the WCR who ran out worthy winners of the Gerry Fitzsimons Cup.

For the New Reds it was relegation to the knock-out with the veterans. Dispatching the JCR to an early beer was a morale-booster, but complacency led to semi-final defeat as the New Reds began to resemble Old Reds. The 80s Blacks progressed to the final, reinvented by combining 80s skills with a youth policy that made their sons and daughters the day’s footballing stars. The decision that won the final was slurred as “dubious” by the partisans on the sidelines but not by skipper John Davis who labelled it a “stonewall” penalty. Well done you 80s Blacks and congratulations to the Yellow Veterans as winners of the Bill Sykes Cup.

Referees Rob Rickman and Richard Bridge deserve our greatest thanks, and the usual compliment about their tireless effort and sound judgment. Refereeing was very fair and decisive, with no recourse to VAR. Richard thinks of himself as Pierre in War and Peace (with a whistle in hand, not a pistol), traipsing for hours across a battlefield littered by the unfit and injured, searching for the right moment to strike and blow his whistle. Thanks also to Ed and Patrick who “volunteered” to referee, very ably, a couple of games. They insisted on anonymity to avoid conscription next year (if anyone can identify them, please get in touch).

The day was not without controversy (Youngsters may need to consult YouTube to understand this paragraph). Oranges (Bob Gamble as Cloughie) unveiled their new star, keeper Egor Sediasheva (as Ian Storey-Moore) only to find Egor had already signed for the Yellows (Dan Keyworth as Matt Busby). Conciliation ended quickly as Egor had an obvious preference for the younger team and greater prospects. But the simmering feud bubbled over as the teams met in the semi-final. It began innocently, a player tripping over his boots and crashing to the ground. Yellows saw a dive, Oranges feared a life-threatening seizure. No need for 999 but there was a “99 Lions Call” and Tolstoyan melee. Emotions fell as fast as they had risen, deflated by declining energy levels, and good order was restored without need of whistle or pistol.

All were pleased to see Pete Chambers come along to oversee the results and deliver closing remarks. We had forgotten the Golden Shin Guards, but Simon Dickens self-certificated five goals and was satisfied by applause. Special thanks went to Alex Watson, who took on extra team organisation this year, and there was huge appreciation shown to those who did the hard graft: Robbie Eason, Julie Boyle, Kamen Matthews, Emma Lowles and Lisa Tompkins. Pete ended with a thank you to everyone, a record 131 attendees.

Finally, it is neat to note that Dan Keyworth led the victorious veterans this year. twenty-one years since he instigated this modern Univ Football Day as a young graduate in the Development Office. Please share the intent of the Oranges – to squeeze out another ten years, or more. Looking forward to seeing you all next year, save the date: 14 March 2026.

Andrew Carroll (1977, PPE)

Enjoy the highlights below:

Published: 31 March 2025

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