UEA CUFC: An absolute Success Story (so far)

As a popular chant heard commonly on Derby Day and at the end of most LCR nights demonstrates, football is something of central fixture at UEA. However, involvement in the sport is by know means limited to the university’s official teams as I learnt this week when I caught up with captain/manager of UEA’s Christian Union club, John Spring. John captains the Rovers, one of two teams, the other being the Wanderers, for whom this season has been something of a success story.

The club play in the Norfolk Christian Football League and boast a remarkable set of result so far this season, having only lost one game and drawn two. Their winnings include a thrilling penalty shootout victory in Watford. At this point in the season, six games in hand will put them within just two points of the leaders, and they’re not content to stop there, going for their first title in several years.

The Rovers are also wreaking havoc in the league cup this season, having reached the final that will be played in May. If that weren’t enough, this year they are going for four in a row in the cup, having won 3-1 in last year’s final.

The teams also take part in the Christians in Sport National Trophy, in which this year they’ve reached the semi-finals, with the final to be held at a stadium. So far this season in the competition the team have played sides from Croydon and Watford away and at home against teams from Liverpool, Morden and Mansfield. The date of the final is yet to be announced.

The lads are also just as lively off the pitch as they are on it, with some interesting and creative socials under their belt this season masterminded my social sec Sam Tomkinson. The socials so far include a very successful Deal or No Deal night complete with a dress code of some very unfashionable shirts, a round of pub golf, and a contract initiations night that held little mercy for new players. The next social lined up is to adopt a prize fighter theme, the finer details of which I can only speculate.

Although being a part of the Christian Union, participation isn’t exclusive to its members. Anyone can join, and the club already has over twenty players meeting to train on Wednesdays from 2-4pm at Eaton Park. Home matches are held on Saturdays at Recreation Road, 10.30am kick off.