Despite the ongoing coronavirus situation, 2019/20 truly has been a season to remember for UCFB’s football teams. Here, we take a look at each team’s performance this season, and how it has influenced UCFB’s overall BUCS ranking.

Including both the men’s and women’s Undergraduate Academies, UCFB currently has nine football teams across both campuses. Remarkably, this season witnessed six teams crowned league champions, two finish as runners-up, and UCFB Etihad Campus’ women’s team finished fifth.

Although all BUCS sport activities are only currently suspended, due to the limited time available to play any outstanding fixtures prior to the 2020/21 academic year, they are unlikely to resume.

With that being said, our teams’ performances have earned UCFB a place in BUCS’s top 15 football rankings, the top five for men’s football, and top 25 for women’s football, leaving 2019/20 as UCFB’s most successful football season to date.

UCFB Etihad Campus

Men’s Undergraduate Academy – Northern Tier 2A

Led by the experienced coaching trio of Mike Walsh, Kevin Hodgson and Will Ryder, UCFB’s Men’s Undergraduate Academy cruised to the Northern Tier 2A title, their fifth in six seasons, after recording nine wins from ten fixtures, and drawing once. If an unbeaten league campaign wasn’t enough to be proud of, the team also reached the Northern Conference Cup Final.

Men’s second team – Northern Tier 4C

Away from the Academy, UCFB Etihad Campus’ men’s second team were crowned champions of Northern Tier 4C. The side managed to go a whole season unbeaten to finish five points above runners-up Lancaster, and clinch their third title in as many years.

Men’s third team – Northern Tier 6A

Another side who finished top of the pile was the men’s third team who fought off formidable title challenges from Doncaster and Chester to clinch the Tier 6A championship, and a second-successive promotion.

Men’s fourth team – Northern Tier 6C

The men’s fourth team narrowly missed out on the Tier 6C title after finishing five points adrift of league leaders UCLan. However, the fourths did manage to record a commendable four wins from seven games.

Women’s team – Northern Tier 2A

The Etihad Campus women’s team can be very proud of their achievements after avoiding relegation during their first season in Tier 2A. A very respectful fifth place finish saw them contribute 12 BUCS points to UCFB’s overall tally, highlighting the difficulty of the division after they earned more BUCS points than three of our title winning teams.

UCFB Wembley

Women’s Undergraduate Academy – South Eastern Tier 2A

Kevin Braybrook’s Women’s Academy replicated the Men’s Academy’s unbeaten feat after winning eight of their nine league fixtures, drawing once, to finish eight points clear of second-place Kent in the South Eastern Tier 2A table. The Women’s Academy have now won four league titles in a row, and also reached the semi-finals of the South Eastern Conference Cup.

Men’s first team – South Eastern Tier 3B

UCFB Wembley’s men’s first team fought off some tough competition from Kent and King’s College to secure the Tier 3B league championship, their fifth consecutive title win. In addition, the team also reached the South Eastern Conference Cup Final.

Men’s second team – South Eastern Tier 6C

Another side who managed to claim a deserved league title was the men’s second team who strolled to the 6C title after enjoying an unbeaten season, finishing seven points clear of closest challengers Brunel.

Men’s third team – South Eastern Tier 6D

The men’s third team missed out on a memorable title win after league leaders Greenwich clinched the trophy by two points. However, the team can still celebrate their achievements of finishing as runners-up, and registering six wins from ten fixtures.

UCFB’s 2019/20 season in summary (all sports)*

  • Entered BUCS’ top 100 rankings across all sport for the first time
  • Finished in BUCS’ top 15 rankings for football
  • Finished in BUCS’ top five rankings for men’s football
  • Finished 25th in BUCS’ rankings for women’s football
*Subject to change if BUCS fixtures resume following coronavirus pandemic.

Click here to see how our other sports teams got on during the 2019/20 season.