Last week saw two UCFB football teams reach their respective cup finals. If this wasn’t already an achievement to be proud of, both sides were also crowned league champions this season. Here, we summarise a memorable 2019/20 for both our Men’s Undergraduate Academy, and UCFB Wembley Men’s First Team.

UCFB Men’s Undergraduate Academy

After forming under its current structure in August 2019, the UCFB Men’s Undergraduate Academy enjoyed a remarkable year after winning nine of their ten league fixtures, drawing once, cruising their way to the BUCS Northern Tier 2A title.

The team, led under the experienced coaching trio of Kevin Hodgson, Mike Walsh and Will Ryder, produced some stunning performances to promotion to Northern Tier 1A, and the league title - their fifth in six seasons.

Unfortunately, though, the team’s heroics could not be replicated in the Northern Conference Cup Final, as Joel Mills’ second-half effort wasn’t enough to prevent a 3-1 University of Leeds victory.

Despite the defeat, the Academy have still made history this term. Not only have they become the first UCFB football team to be promoted into Division 1 of the BUCS system, but three of the team’s players, Will Ozono, Henry Bongwanga and Ben Woods, have also recently been called up to the English Universities football squad.

Reflecting on a hugely successful season, Kevin Hodgson, head coach of UCFB’s Men’s Undergraduate Academy said: “The players have been exceptional. The objectives set out in August were to win the league and win the cup; we managed to win the league and just fell short in the cup, but we really have had a magnificent season.

“The success we achieved this year was no accident. It was down to hard work, perseverance, learning, listening, sacrifice, and most of all, the players believing that they could achieve.”

UCFB Wembley Men’s First Team

Meanwhile at UCFB Wembley, the Men’s First Team also enjoyed a season to remember after finishing four points clear of second-place Kent at the top of the BUCS South Eastern Tier 3B table.

If winning the league title wasn’t commendable enough, the Firsts’ only lost on one occasion during their league campaign, and produced some stellar displays throughout the year.

Alongside their league exploits, the team also reached the South Eastern Conference Cup Final, but unfortunately suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the University of Portsmouth.

Summarising the Firsts’ campaign, UCFB Wembley’s Sports Coordinator, Jay Welsh said: “From September, the team have had a passion and desire to be successful and go one step further in progressing within both BUCS competitions. Both the players and staff can be proud of their achievements; earning a second-successive promotion and a place in the cup final is not only fantastic, but also history in the making. The team is the first UCFB Wembley football side to have achieved this!”

Everyone at UCFB would like to congratulate both teams on their outstanding seasons, and are already looking forward to seeing what lies ahead for our teams in 2020/21.

Learn more about UCFB’s Men’s Undergraduate Academy.
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