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The Beautiful Game
By: APRIL WILSON
Last updated: Friday, 3 July 2026
When Sussex Men’s Football stepped onto the pitch for their first-ever British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) playoff match, they weren’t just chasing promotion: they were playing for history. For the first time, the Men’s 1s had earned the chance to fight for a place in the BUCS Premier League South, the highest level of university football in the region.
For Sports Scholar Morgan Page, a first-year Law with Business student and key player at left back, the magnitude was clear.
“I’ve played in high-pressure matches before, but this felt different. The idea of making Sussex history hit me in a whole new way.”
The 2025–26 season was transformative with the team dominating Tier 6 with energy, discipline and belief, driven by a shared ambition to push Sussex football to new heights. Their success secured a playoff against Bristol Men’s 1s. Despite an even first-half, Sussex lost the match 4–0, but the result doesn’t tell the full story:
“Sussex came close,” Morgan reflects. “But we’re building something special here: the belief, the talent, the work rate, it’s all there.”
Central to Morgan and the team’s progress is alumni support through the Sussex Fund. Morgan received a Sussex Sports Scholarship, providing him with access to kit, physiotherapy, training facilities and expert guidance, enabling him to play football and pursue his studies. As the first in his family to attend university, Morgan is clear about the impact:
“Your generosity has allowed me to focus on both my degree and my football. It makes you feel supported and believed in.”
Sport at Sussex is about more than results. It builds confidence, teamwork and lifelong friendships. As coach and Sussex alumnus Josh Rondel puts it:
“Sport plays a huge role in students’ growth, physically, mentally, and socially. It’s a huge part of university life. Hopefully, we’ll see you on the touchlines cheering us on next season.”
With the foundations firmly in place for next season, Sussex football is on the rise! Thank you to the friends and alumni who support excellence through generous donations to the Sussex Fund.