The truth about students You may think that most students wake up at about 1pm each day, gobble down a can of backed beans, watch 'Neighbours', sleep through the afternoon, and drink or dance the night away. However that is frequently far from the truth and there is some real energy being exerted in the keenly fought Leicester University Intramural Competition on Sundays. | "The players may say that it is all just "a bit of fun" but I sensed that there is a serious underbelly to FC Tabuk." | | Tim Sansom |
I discovered that this contest is more than just a casual kick around, when I spent two fun-filled afternoons watching FC Tabuk and the Islamic Society (ISOC) football team spar up to the Medics and the History Society. The players may say that it is all just "a bit of fun" but I sensed that there is a serious underbelly to FC Tabuk, which consists of 11 skilful players who mostly have an ancestral link to the famous Saudi Arabian City. Steady 'Eddie' Economics student, Yusaf Morientes, who is bizarrely known as 'Eddie' to his teammates, captains the side from central defence and is the lynchpin to the slightly manic, fast flowing, but 'ball to feet' style of football. On a quagmire of a pitch, the medics were being wound up with some tenacious skills and fantastic wing play from Nizam and Ibrahim, as well as some decent shots from Darude and Mohammed. As the second half began, the Medics gradually descended into arguing, diving and screaming like a group of hysterical Premiership players. Despite the referee struggling to control the increasing amount of tension on the pitch, FC Tabuk just about managed to maintain their composure. The recriminations continued in the car park after the game, but I felt pretty impressed with the football that I saw... Sunday in the Park... I went back to the Stoughton Drive playing fields on the coldest Sunday afternoon that I have ever experienced in Leicester, to watch the players from FC Tabuk form up with additional friends in the ISOC football team, who battered the History Society by 11 goals to one.
This side contains many of the players from FC Tabuk, with some additional support, so it was no surprise to see the same free-flowing football being played under the stoic yet sincere leadership of Mohammed Suleman. This match was a whitewash by anyone's standards, and by half time the ISOC team had scored five of their 11 goals. The History goalkeeper looked utterly dejected, and the rest of the History team sank with their keeper into the rain sodden pitch, as they conceded six goals in the second half. Football focused There are many intramural teams in the league, and the contest is a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon, instead of shopping or slumbering around the house. All of the teams appreciate your support, and FC Tabuk and the ISOC team are proof that the passion for football is strong in Leicester. A lot of the team are also involved in community football projects in the city, and are busy trying to groom the next group of superstars that could play at the Walkers Stadium or Old Trafford. I wish them every success for the rest of the season. | 
