What's at Stake?
With just two gameweeks left to go in the BUCS Premiership season, four out of the six teams in the Northern Prem still face the drop.
The table going into the week of the charity game sees both the Uni of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent sat on 10 points; Loughborough on 8 and Durham on 6. Stirling secured the title, once again, after coming back from 3-1 down in last week's game versus Durham to pick up a point. Newcastle sit in second.
The charity match sees the First Team face off against Newcastle in a must-win North East derby. The two teams had a closely contested game in the reverse fixture which was tinged with controversy, with Newcastle coming out victorious. But a revitalised Durham team, with key players returning to the side, are confident that they can inflict revenge, especially following their recent run of dogged displays. It is quite simply now or never for the first team, who are looking to secure their spot in the top flight of university football for what would be the eleventh consecutive year. The reasonably youthful side needs two wins from two to keep their fate in their own hands. There is a great sense of togetherness in the group and spirits are high with focus locked onto Wednesday's fixture.
Match Information and Ticketing
The men's game will follow the women's first eleven fixture versus Leeds Beckett, which kicks off at 5pm (Gates open at 4:30pm).
The men's game kicks off at 7pm on Track Pitch at Maiden Castle.
Digital tickets can be bought via https://fixr.co/event/duafc-x-duwafc-charity-match-tickets-963555147 or wristband tickets can be bought between 10 and 4 on Monday and Tuesday outside the Billy B. Tickets are £3. Tickets will also be available on the door for £4. All proceeds go to Sport in Action Zambia.
Can't make it to Maiden Castle? PalTV will also be streaming the game on their Youtube channel, with live commentary from our very own social secs Jack Hall and Bobby Johnson.
Sport in Action
Sport in Action is our partner charity for the event. SIA is a non-governmental organisation whose purpose is to improve people’s quality of life through sport and recreational activities. Founded in 1998, Sport in Action was the first Zambian sports NGO and its programmes now positively impact the lives of thousands of children throughout the 12 districts in Zambia.
One of their partners, Volunteer Zambia is an international sport programme run by the Wallace Group – a collaboration between leading UK ‘sport’ universities, including Durham.
The universities that form the Wallace Group share a commitment to the establishment and sustainable practices of international development and work with our primary partner, the NGO Sport in Action, the Zambian government, and other sport stakeholders to support the delivery of Zambia’s sports strategy in relation to young people and sustainable community participation.
Last summer, one of our very own, James Nugent, went out on a project with Volunteer Zambia and we have no doubt this partnership will continue for many years into the future.
We need your support
Last year's charity match saw Durham beat, eventual national championship winners, Loughborough 3-2, with goals from Hizzett, Merrett and Jones. A brilliant crowd sealed a memorable night for all involved - an atmosphere the club is looking to recreate on Wednesday! So please do buy your tickets with all money going to a great cause. Bring your friends and tell your housemates, it's sure to be a fantastic ninety minutes of football!
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