University of Cumbria football team crowned league champions

The university's team, which plays in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Northern Tier 7 league, needed just one point to secure the title ahead of their clash with the University of Manchester at the Harraby Sports Centre in Carlisle on Wednesday, February 18.

However, on Tuesday, February 17 this game was cancelled, meaning that the Cumbrian team are now de facto champions.

The new league champions are the second men's football team belonging to the University of Cumbria, with the other based at the university's Lancaster campus.

Matthew Fitzgerald is the chairman and manager of the University of Cumbria men's football team and after the championship win was confirmed, he was on hand to express his delight at the achievement that has come less than three years after the Carlisle-based team were set up in September 2023.

"It is an incredible position to be in after only three years," Matthew said, speaking to the News & Star.

"At the start of the season we were hopeful but not entirely confident, particularly given the strength and resources of other university teams.

"We have built everything from the ground up — training on local pitches, securing sponsorship through Ularoo to fund kits and travel, and hosting social events to support the club financially.

"Many of our away fixtures involve some of the longest coach journeys in university football, so the commitment shown by the players has been exceptional.

"Seeing a group of students come together to build something meaningful for Carlisle has been hugely rewarding."

Matthew also discussed a pre-season promise that he and the team's social secretary are going to have to fulfil now that they have been confirmed as league champions.

He said: "At the start of the season, myself and our social secretary Jacob Whysall promised the squad we would get a stag tattoo if the team won the league — a promise that seemed unlikely at the time but now reflects how far the group has come.

"The team’s nickname is 'The Stags', and that commitment shows the belief and unity within the squad."