As we reflect on the most successful year in the club's history, with the First XI finishing as national champions and the Second XI going 30 from 30, we asked all members of the men's side of DUAFC for their vote on their best XI from the BUCS season across the first, second and third teams. These were collated and put together to select a combined XI! You can see the team below!
Goalkeeper:
Sam Hughes-Penney
Second XI. Grey. Fourth Year.
Had an exceptional final season of his Durham career, proving his worth time and again to the title-winning 2s side. Notable moments include a clean sheet in the 6-0 drubbing of Leeds at home, and strings of outstanding reflex saves to keep both York and Sunderland at bay for crucial periods during the second half the season. A fitting end to his time at DUAFC for one of our finest!
Defenders:
Rob White
First XI. Collingwood. Fourth Year.
After a year on the continent, a return to DUAFC beckoned for the versatile Yorkshireman – and it did not disappoint! An integral member of the National Championship winning side, White showed his class at both RWB and in the centre of the park across the course of the season and is the first of a certain group of lads all leaving an impressive legacy (no spoilers though!).
Matt Keogh,
First XI. Collingwood. Fourth Year.
Having spent 16 months side-lined due to an ACL injury, Keogh made his comeback at the turn of the year, as a series of crunch games loomed for the 1s. 7 games, 2 clean sheets, and a collection of imperious performances later, relegation was averted and the National championship secured. This was in no small part to the 23-year-old, who led Durham’s back 3 with class and composure in again, his final season at the club.
Freddie Merrett
First XI. Collingwood. Second Year.
Another one of the lads who spent the start of the season on the side-lines, Merrett’s impact was immediate, with Durham securing their first win of the Northern Prem season on his return from a meniscus tear. His season continued in much the same vein, showing both his footballing and leadership qualities at crucial points in the season. His goal in the 5-0 demolition of Swansea, as well as the opposition striker’s dismissal, were as important as his re-tellings suggest! Nothing can take away from how integral he has been to both the 1s and the club this season.
Ollie England
First XI. John Snow. Third Year.
A move to the left hand side for England Sr for the 2022/23 season proved a stroke of genius from Mr Furness, as the John Snow man tore up the BUCS Prem in his 2nd season with the 1s. Durham’s Mr Consistent, his performances at LWB more than warrant him a spot in this side but what will surely be remembered are his vital contributions in the semi-final victory over Loughborough. 2 assists, including the greatest cross in DUAFC history to set up the winner, reiterated his importance to the 1s in a season where he played every single minute!
Midfielders:
Christian Pestell
Second XI. Castle. Second Year.
DUAFC’s resident rolls Royce, Pestell’s move into defensive midfield proved to be a masterstroke from coach, Bhamra, as the Castle man ran the show from CDM, and even popped up with some vital goals in the 2s’ perfect league season. A notable brace against Leeds at home as well as the filthiest turn ever seen in the return fixture are 2 moments that stand out in an imperious season. Anticipation is already growing for his return to Durham action following his year abroad!
Jack Camarda
First XI. Collingwood. Second Year.
His versatility has proven vital to both the 1s this season and his claims to be apart of this team: 2022/23 saw the Manx man run out in both a back four and a back five, as well as in the centre of the park. Clean sheets and diags galore were never far away, with notable parts of Camarda’s season including a stellar performance at centre-back vs Nottingham and a total of 5 assists over the course of his run of games in midfield. As we look ahead, there is no doubt he will be integral to the team next season, even if he does continue to be denied penalty duties!
Jack Gibbons
First XI. South. Second Year.
Captain. Leader. Legend. The skipper’s debut season with the armband proved a historic one, as a 67 year wait for the National Cup was ended when he lifted the trophy in Nottingham. Performances at both right wing, and in the middle of the park more than warrant his selection but Gibbons’ season may well be remembered for his quick feet and bustling runs from midfield, as well as crucial goals against Newcastle and Loughborough after the Christmas break.
Forwards:
Hector Platt
Second XI. Hatfield. Second Year.
A scintillating season for Platt saw him cement himself as an essential part of the 2s team from the get-go. Having got off the mark for the season in the 4-2 over York, he couldn’t stop scoring. 9 for the season, including invaluable equalisers against both York and Leeds on the road says it all. Throw in a couple assists and no-one could deny Platt a spot in this front three! His imperious pace and strength proved time and again to be a problem for the opposition, as the 2s attacking line-up continually put teams to the sword.
Fin Gwillim
1st XI (and 3rd XI). Hild & Bede. First Year.
The fresher’s decision to swap rugby for football proved to be a defining moment in the season for DUAFC. 4 goals in 45 minutes on his debut for the club as the 3s dispatched Leeds Trinity on the road was enough for Furness to want to see what the hype was about. Another brilliant decision from the 1s gaffer as Gwillim went on to score on his 1s debut, before following it up with 4 in 4 over the month of February. Then, as an aforementioned Ollie England cross came into the box, Gwillim’s crowning moment arrived as he headed home the winner against Loughborough to send Durham to their first ever National Cup final (and we know what happened next).
Tom Hizzett
First XI. Collingwood. Fourth Year.
Who else. Arguably the best player in BUCS football this year, Hizzett’s importance to the 1s cannot be overstated. Almost every time he stepped on the pitch, he scored, with 0.92 goals per game - some of these games played in CM! A left-footed cracker in the National cup final showed the class that had also seen him score a brace against Nottingham Trent, and a hattrick at home to Newcastle. As the curtain closes on the 2022/23 BUCS season, it also does so on one of DUAFC’s finest ever careers and what better way to bow out than as a National Champion.
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