As another year of University Football draws to a close, the BCFA League again reached it’s hotly anticipated Final’s day. However this year, for the first time ever, both the Male and Female Final’s would be contested.

The Female Final would take place first, pitting table toppers University of Birmingham against a travelling University of Derby side. Birmingham had taken the upper hand in recent league encounters however Derby were eager to win when it mattered most. Match referee Jimmy Hearn got the game underway and it didn’t take long to spring into life with Eva Powell opening the score for Birmingham on 16 minutes. Derby were quick to respond with an equaliser courtesy of Alyssa Richmond only two minutes later. The game became end to end and it took another twenty minutes for UoB to regain the lead with a somewhat fortunate finish from Amy Hearman. Katherine Southern ensured the reds went in comfortable at half-time adding a third. The second half began and Birmingham took their fourth, all but confirming victory. However a resilient Derby side pulled one back in the dying stages and fought with pride to claw the game back. A few good saves and one off the woodwork was all they could muster and as the fulltime whistle went, University of Birmingham were crowned the first ever BCFA Female University League Champions! Women’s & Girls FDO Vicky Mitchell presented the trophy, which commenced celebrations that will run deep into the evening.

The Male Final was a repeat of last season however on this occasion University of Birmingham Dev 2’s came in with a slight advantage, having finished in a higher league position. Referee Liam Teraud, assisted by Will Maddern and Tom Flanagan got the game underway as the clock struck 2pm. Last year’s Final saw the Dev 1’s come away with victory after a Monty New finish late on, and this years final started in the same way with the ruthless striker scoring not once but twice in the opening exchanges. The Dev 1’s had built a commanding lead by half time however the second half started in the opposite manner, UoB Dev 2’s came to give it their all with attack after attack but nothing to be. Finally they struck luck with a penalty award around the 70^th minute, this was calmly despatched and set-up a Hollywood Blockbuster finish. The Dev 2’s threw everything forward however it sadly wasn’t to be. As the final whistle went University of Birmingham Dev 1’s had successfully retained their title over not only their club rivals, but the entire BCFA Male University League. Birmingham FA CEO Kevin Shoemake presented the medals and trophy to team captain Mani Baird which drew to a close another successful season in the Birmingham FA University League.

Thank you to all clubs that participated in the league this season, thanks to the fantastic support of our Universities we have been able to double the number of Male teams competing and introduce the first ever Female division. We are very much looking forward to competing again next season to crown the 2024 BCFA University Champions!

To find out how your University can get involved, please email Harley.Hetherington@birminghamfa.com