Written by Freddie Merrett.

Photo courtesy of Bradley Collyer.
Let me briefly take you back to the last time Durham lifted the national football championship in 1956. It was a time when ten of the university's current colleges did not exist as they do today and many of the colleges that did, only admitted men or women exclusively. Moreover, Maiden Castle, the university's sports ground, was still nine years away from opening. Outside of Durham, 1956 was the year in which Elvis released his first million-selling single as rock and roll took the World by storm; Jim Laker was crowned Sports Personality of the Year having taken 10 wickets in an innings against Australia, and Manchester United's 'Busby Babes' secured the English First Division title. So it's fair to say times have changed a little since Durham's last national championship glory!
Roll forward sixty-seven years to 22nd March 2023 and Durham once again found themselves in a national championship final. As messages of support flooded in from family, friends and the DUAFC alumni network, the M1s geared up for the 16:30 kick-off at Basford United where they met Stirling University. As discussed in my previous article, the two teams were very well-matched, setting the game up to be a thrilling encounter.
Stirling proving the more dominant of the two sides in the high tempo opening encounters, as they came close early on, only to have a guilt-edged chance squandered over the bar. Durham defended this early pressure resolutely and got their reward with less than 10 minutes played in the final. A Stirling throw on the Durham left led to a short pinball spell, before Gwillim secured the loose ball quickly and moved the ball onto Alfalahi, who subsequently had the ball poked from his feet... straight into the path of Hizzett on the left side of the box, 25 yards out. Durham's goal-scoring talisman took a touch out of his feet into the box and struck the ball his left foot, sending it across the keeper who could only get a despairing finger to the ball as it sailed into the back of the net, sending the Durham faithful into an early frenzy. Following this early goal, the game continued to be played at a fast pace with both teams enjoying spells in the other team's third of the pitch. Indeed, Gwillim managed to work a couple of chances down the right hand side of the box, while Durham continued to defend their 18 yard box steadfastly. At the half hour mark, a hopeful ball forward from England found its way to the left hand edge of the Stirling box, where it was met by one of the Stirling centre back chasing backwards, he was followed closely by Hizzett who was able to effect a turnover. The Stirling clearance only went fifteen or so yards before it found the feet of Alfalahi, who beat one man before he drove at the heart of the Stirling defence. The Durham no. 10 struck the ball with sufficient power to force an error from the goalkeeper who steered the ball into the top left, opening a two goal lead for the men in palatinate. Durham were able to see out the half two goals to the good.
Half Time: Durham 2 - 0 Stirling
As the boys entered the changing rooms for the break they knew the game was far from over as the first BUCS game of the calendar year had ended in a three-all draw between the two sides after Durham had led by two goals at the break. However, this Durham side has gotten better every week, winning each of their last 5 games before the final, so the boys knew they had the heart to pull this off.
The second half proved to be Durham's sternest test of the season, I suppose fittingly given what was at stake. From the first whistle after the break, Stirling went at it, knowing they had just 45 minutes to recover at least two goals. The wind blowing straight down the pitch at the Durham goal compounded this pressure as Durham struggled to secure the same territory that they had enjoyed up the field in the first half. Stirling controlled the majority of both possession and territory for the first 20 minutes of the second half, but Durham continued their obstinate defensive display, with numerous blocks, tackles and clearances proving effective repellents. That was until the 65th minute when a Stirling corner went short before being pulled back to the edge of the box. The Stirling man squeezed the ball through numerous bodies and into the back of the net, to tee up a nervy final quarter of the game.
After another period of Stirling onslaught following the goal, the game began to open up as Alfalahi was cynically brought down on the halfway line to thwart a four-versus-two counter attack. To this end, as time ticked on, although Stirling continued to dominate possession, it was Durham who had the clearer-cut chances in the closing stages. One such attempt (which I shall not labour on) saw Gwillim perform a now trademark slip of the defender before striding into the box and squaring the ball to Alfalahi who stood in front of an empty net. He was unable to convert much to the dismay of the Durham crowd. Moving on... minutes later and a meandering run from White from the halfway line to the byline was pulled back to a man on the edge who was unable to find the target. Gwillim went agonisingly close just minutes later after another fantastic run from the halfway line saw him pull the trigger and fire centimetres wide. Shortly after and with seconds of normal time remaining, Stirling fired over from a corner, with the fourth official signalling five minutes of stoppage time immediately after. Straight away, a fierce charge down of the Stirling keeper by substitute, Ventham, saw the ball ricochet off of the keeper and into the path of Gwillim who was unable to lift the ball over the keeper's head, from 40 yards out, to seal the game. No matter though, because as has become something of a custom in Durham's wins this year, a great claim by the Durham keeper, Arnold, in the dying seconds enabled him to launch the ball up-field. The ball was secured by White who ran the ball across the field as the referee sounded his whistle. A whistle that ended a sixty-seven year wait. Durham were once again the best in Great Britain.
FULL TIME: DURHAM 2 - 1 STIRLING
As White smashed the ball into the crowd, arms aloft, several of Durham's players dropped to their knees, others ran to the cohort of supporters on the sideline as they were greeted by chants of "DUAFC". Ecstasy, elation, relief, disbelief and more rolled into one magnificent amalgamation of emotions. As hands were shaken at the end of a physically and mentally testing game, the Durham boys expressed their commiserations to their opponents who had been formidable opponents and we wholeheartedly wish them all the best for the remainder of their Scottish Lowland League games where they sit fourth and within three points of both Celtic B and Rangers B at the time of writing.
Then came embraces that will stay with me, and I'm sure all my teammates, for a lifetime. To those outside of the dressing room, this group is an incredibly close bunch that has only grown more tight-knit having come through seven consecutive games that we could not under any circumstances afford to lose; firstly the final three league games to secure premiership safety, then the championship knockouts. It is this collective spirit and embodiment of a never say die attitude that has meant the M1s simply don't recognise when to be beaten.
All that was left to do was to graciously accept the medals and lift the trophy. Zach Alfalahi was awarded the BUCS Man of the Match as the boys lined up in front of the banner for the trophy lift. Captain, Jack Gibbons, was then handed the trophy which he lifted triumphantly above his head to a chorus of 'Championes', rounding off a night's and a season's work in the best fashion possible.
The game can be watched here: https://bucs.tv/home/videos/ByQmJXdt2MOJ4JBeWYoa
Photos courtesy of Bradley Collyer.
Starting X1: George Arnold, Jack Camarda, Ollie England, Jack Gibbons (C), Matt Keogh, Freddie Merrett, Rob White, Maxen Garagic, Fin Gwillim, Zach Alfalahi, Tom Hizzett
Bench: Reuben Bull, Ned Ventham, Eirik Abney, Morgan Lant, Alex Costa.
Now if I may briefly offer an Oscar-style thank you speech on behalf of the team, there are several people that cannot go unrecognised in this success. Firstly to Adam Furness, who has been involved with DUAFC for longer than he might like me to write down in this report. He has been absolutely instrumental in enacting change over a number of years in the club and it is testament to him that alumni from many different cohorts have such positive things to say about him, I am humbled that we were the side to lift the title with him in his first year in the Head of Football role. Secondly, our sincerest thanks to Robbie Pringle for all of his help this season as first team coach, he has selflessly manoeuvred commitments to be able to be at sessions and on the touchlines for the boys both home and away, not missing a single game this calendar year, his partnership with Adam on game-days has proven central to our successes. Finally to the boys that will be moving on as this academic year concludes, especially the three fourth-year housemates: Rob White, Tom Hizzett and Matt Keogh, who have proven themselves to be an invaluable part of the dressing room every time we have taken the field. Rob has an engine like no-one I've ever played with and has made the RWB role more than his own this year - I am sure all left-sided university players are breathing a sigh of relief that he's moving on. Hizz has been absolutely ruthless in front of goal this year scoring twelve goals in thirteen BUCS games this season (surely a Durham first team record in the premier division) and has run himself into the ground all season long. Finally, Keogh, got the swansong that he deserved following a 16 month absence with a ruptured ACL; he has transformed the defensive unit since his return to play in 2023, a true embodiment of the 'fight' that has defined our season. Lads, thank you for everything you've done for DUAFC.
So against seemingly all odds to those on the outside looking in, DUAFC M1s have gone from relegation favourites to survival and being crowned the best team in Great Britain. For those fortunate enough to be in the dressing room, there honestly never was a shadow of a doubt that we could achieve what we have done, given the level of belief we have as a group.
The summit, at long last, has been reached.
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