A Season of success on the pitch for UCFB Wembley and Manchester

It has been a remarkable campaign for the football programme at UCFB, with both the Wembley and Manchester campuses celebrating outstanding success in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues.

League titles, promotion to Tier 1, and a cup final victory have underlined not only the quality on the pitch, but also the culture that continues to define football at UCFB.

UCFB Wembley: Champions and Promoted

For UCFB Wembley, the 2025 season will be remembered as one of achievement and progression. Winning their BUCS league title and securing promotion to Tier 1 represents a significant milestone for the Academy, reflecting the hard work of players and coaching staff alike.

Jake Johnson has been at the heart of that journey. Reflecting on his three years at the University, he said: “Sport at UCFB has allowed me to continue playing football at a good level where I have thoroughly enjoyed my three years playing alongside different teammates and under different coaches.

“My highlights of my time playing football for UCFB would’ve been winning the league title in my first year alongside my friends, as well as winning the title this season and getting the Academy promoted to Tier 1.

“I have enjoyed every season at university due to the culture and facilities available at UCFB. I would recommend everyone to trial and try get into a sports team whether that’s in the competitive uni teams or joining a campus team, as it allows you to build friendships and continue playing sport alongside your studies.”

Johnson’s words highlight what sets UCFB apart; a competitive environment that supports both performance and personal development. The league title not only capped off a superb season but also demonstrated the consistency and resilience that has become synonymous with the Wembley side.

Teammate Riley Capewell echoed that sense of unity and shared ambition within the squad.

“What I love about football at UCFB,” he said, “is the fact that you get to play with your mates twice a week. With there being three men’s football teams, a lot of people know each other in every team, so there’s a real sense of mutual respect and everyone wants everyone to win.

“I’d say my highlight of the season so far is scoring a brace in a massive 5-4 win to keep us top of the league. However, that will change if we win the league on March 4th.”

He added: “For people thinking of signing up. Just do it. There’s nothing to lose, you go and play footy and make a load of friends along the way. I’m in my third year and some of my best mates are people I met at football trials in first year.”

Capewell’s decisive brace in a thrilling 5–4 victory proved pivotal in maintaining their position at the summit, a defining moment in a season full of determination and belief.

UCFB Manchester: League Winners and Cup Winners

While Wembley celebrated promotion, UCFB Manchester enjoyed a campaign of its own to remember. The men’s first team secured their BUCS league title in impressive fashion, demonstrating strength and depth across the season.

Furthermore, the men’s second team won the BUCS Northern Tier 4C Cup, a significant achievement that places them among the top-performing university sides in the region. Winning a cup final alongside a league triumph speaks volumes about the squad’s quality, mentality, and ability to perform in high-pressure matches.

In addition to league successes, the UCFB Manchester Men’s First Team earned their first BUCS Cup title by winning the BUCS Northern Tier 2A and the BUCS Conference Cup.

UCFB Manchester captain Will Jenkinson said: “From everyone working in the background to the players themselves, we created a strong bond as a club.

“This is something which can be hard to mimic if you are not involved in sports teams. We created a positive environment where people can thrive and progress.

“Throughout the years at university we have seen players come a long way on and off the pitch which is a brilliant thing to happen.”

Individual Brilliance

Two of UCFB’s female footballers, Salena Sareen and Sarah Sparrow, have also been selected to represent EUS Women’s English Universities, following their successful football trials.

BUCS were quoted: “We are particularly pleased to have UCFB represented within the programme, as we continue to grow our diverse community across our squads and sports.”

A Culture of Excellence

Across both campuses, the common thread has been culture. Competitive football delivered in a professional environment, combined with high-quality facilities and a strong sense of community, continues to provide student-athletes with the platform to thrive.

The success of UCFB Wembley and UCFB Manchester this season is about more than silverware. It is about friendships formed at trials, teammates pushing each other twice a week in training, and players balancing academic studies with elite-level university sport.

With league titles secured, promotion achieved, and a cup final still to come, this season stands as a testament to the ambition and growth of football at UCFB, and a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when talent, opportunity, and culture come together.