Forget the Boat Race and the odd tussle or two involving odd-shaped balls at Twickenham in early December, the meetings of the Light and Dark Blues that really matter involve two teams of eleven (no, not the cricket!) and in 2017, they’re making history and playing on the same day and at the same venue.
On Sunday, 19th March, Barnet FC’s Hive Stadium (home of WSL2 side London Bees and occasionally Arsenal Ladies FC too) will play host to the first Varsity Football men’s and women’s ‘double header’, marking the first time that the Oxford versus Cambridge Football Matches have been staged as a joint affair. This decision represents a growing and positive trend to promote women’s football at a university level.
“For Oxford and Cambridge to be taking such a bold step will do great things to inspire young female footballers, and hopefully we can leave a lasting legacy behind us.” – says May Martin, OUAFC Women’s President
The Varsity Match, between Oxford University and Cambridge University, is the oldest regular fixture in world football which, barring the two World Wars, has been played every year since 1873. Cambridge and Oxford’s men have met on 132 occasions previously but the men’s and women’s matches have never taken place on the same pitch on the same day. Until now.
The men’s game has had many homes: hosted at the Old Wembley from 1952-1988, it was then played at Craven Cottage for many years on Boat Race Day. The women’s match has previously alternated between Oxford and Cambridge, with matches at various venues, including Cambridge City and Iffley Road and Saturday’s clash will mark the 32nd time this now well-established and hotly contested fixture will take place.
Cambridge are ready…
and Oxford are ready too…
Fulham FC hosted last year’s men’s match where Oxford ran out 2-0 winners but they were not willing to host two games on their pitch in one day, and so Barnet FC stepped in to help with this historic occasion.
Looking to establish a home for the ‘double-header:’ the two universities are putting on a free football session with Cambridge United coaches on the AstroTurf pitch behind the stadium for kids before the first game (12-1pm). Former England Women’s Head Coach Hope Powell CBE, will also be attending as a guest of the clubs.
The women’s match will kick off at 1pm with the men’s game following at 4pm. Tickets can be bought here from £10 with concessions available: https://bfc.venuetoolbox.com/VenueManagement/asp/bookTickets.asp?dept=Spectators
More information being able to be found on the event’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/583502201846843/
