With less than two weeks to go until the 2022/23 season kicks off, we look back at last year’s action as well as highlight some important dates for the brand new season.
With less than two weeks to go until the 2022/23 season kicks off, we look back at last year’s action as well as highlight some important dates for the brand new season.
With over 50 leagues combined for male and female players, football is one of the largest programmes in UK university sport.
In the men’s game alone there are over 400 football teams at universities across the country. Those teams are divided into 33 leagues that are split across 5 regions; Midlands, Northern, Scottish, South Eastern, and Western. The top division of UK university football for male players is the Premier Division, which is split into two leagues, North and South.
There are a further 190 women’s football teams at universities around the UK. In the same format as the men’s, teams are divided into leagues that are split across the same five regions. The top level of women’s football takes place in the Premier North and Premier South leagues of the Premier Division.
As well as league competition, teams will have more opportunities to pick up silverware in Championship and Trophy competitions which take place throughout the season.
2021/22 Premier Division Season Recap
Last season was another incredibly successful year for the BUCS football programme. We look back at all of the action from the Premier Division including which teams were crowned champions, newly promoted sides, and important dates for the brand new season.
Premier North and South Champions
The University of Stirling men’s side (pictured) stormed to Men’s Premier North glory last season, winning 9 of their 10 league games. On their way to becoming champions, the Scottish side scored an impressive 26 goals and finished 10 points clear of the runners-up.
In the Men’s Premier South division, Hartpury beat out all the competition to secure the title. The Gloucestershire-based university won 8 of their 10 games, losing and drawing once. On their way to becoming champions, they scored 27 goals and conceded on five occasions, and finished six points clear of the runners-up.
On the women’s side, Loughborough University achieved glory in the Women’s Premier North last season after winning 9 of their 10 league games. Averaging over 3 goals scored per game, the ladies dominated all year to lift the title by a comfortable margin of 7 points.
Cardiff Metropolitan (pictured) became champions of the Women’s Premier South division after winning 8 of their 10 games. On their way to the title, they scored a sensational 41 goals in a close title race to finish three points clear at the top of the table.
Premier Division Promotions
It was the University of East London that earned promotion to the Men’s Premier Division (South) after finishing top of the Play-off table on goal difference. A 2-2 draw with the University of West England (Bristol) and a 2-0 victory over Cardiff Met University were enough to get UEL into the highest division of UK university football.
In the Men’s Premier Division (North) Play-off final, it was the University of Nottingham who secured promotion following a 3-1 victory over Leeds Beckett. After a strong season in the Midlands Tier 1, Nottingham won 8 of their 10 league games to make the Play-off final and climb to the top football division in the UK.
The University of Nottingham’s women’s side, like the men’s team, were also promoted to the Women’s Premier Division (North) after defeating Edinburgh 3-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the final.
Essex were the second team promoted to the Women’s Premier Division (South) after recording huge victories in the Play-offs. A 9-1 win over Hertfordshire and a 4-1 win over Bournemouth meant that Essex comfortably secured promotion with maximum points.
Dates you need to know ahead of the 2022/23 season
The men’s and women’s Premier Divisions will kick the season off with fixtures taking place on Wednesday the 5th of October 2022. All remaining league fixtures will then commence on Wednesday the 12th of October 2022.
Championship, Trophy, and Cup Final Dates:
- BUCS Championship and Trophy Finals: 22nd March 2023 (BUCS Big Wednesday)
- National Shield or Conference Cup/Trophy/Shield Finals: 8th March 2023
Learn more about UK University Football
With over 500 men’s and women’s football teams competing in BUCS Leagues each week, there is great opportunity for any passionate football fan to get involved with the sport alongside their studies.
Whether you are an experienced player seeking the opportunity to compete at the highest level of football alongside your university degree, or simply want to get involved with the sport, we can help!
Learn more about UK university football via the link below.
Please follow our social media channels to keep up to date with all things sport related across the Higher Education sector!
