Stacks of papers had been missing from Vision’s archive for years and were considered ‘lost’.

Described as a “revolution on campus,” Vision was first published in 1987 and was York’s first fully independent student newspaper.

The first 10 editions of Vision are now available to read online by following the links below, and they give a fascinating insight into the history of the University of York.

Digitising is a slow process, but we hope to continue uploading more issues over time. Watch this space! However, there still remain several issues missing from the archives.

The very first issue of York Student Vision is now available to read here:

To explore more of the editions from the 1980s, follow the links below:

Issue 2
Issue 3
Issue 4
Issue 5
Issue 6
Issue 7
Issue 8
Issue 9
Issue 10

Or view all our archives here.

Many thanks to Steve Teal for providing the originals.

Amanda Seyfried, of Mamma Mia! fame, plays lead female Sophie, who is on a pre-wedding holiday with her fiancé Victor (Gael Garcia Bernal). Victor is a self-obsessed chef and Sophie an aspiring writer—as odd a couple as Cher and Gene Simmons once were. Upon visiting the wall of letters, Sophie meets the ‘Secretaries of Juliet’, a team of four older ladies, and begins helping write replies to the letters. Upon responding to one particular letter Sophie inspires pensioner Claire (Vanessa Redgrave) to find her long-lost love, alongside her grandson Charlie (Christopher Egan). Cue the inevitable exploits that come with any rom-com: the breaking and mending of hearts.

First and foremost, the scenery is beautiful, breathtaking in fact. The film is quite charming because of this and the Italian culture it portrays. However, the score is overwhelming in its ploy to induce emotion—it is too sugary sweet; the soundtrack is a little better, but no Mamma Mia!

And the answer to the question of predictability is: no. This film is as predictable as rom-com films can come, but the acting is fairly decent, though the Garcia Bernal is severely underused. The dialogue between Sophie and Charlie was better than expected, with some clever one-liners being rolled out. Despite this, there are far many too clichés used. Vanessa Redgrave definitely stands out and lights up the screen with her acting brilliance, but she doesn’t quite pass for being Claire’s age of sixty-five years old.

Overall, the last twenty-minutes of this film are enjoyable, but how this was dragged out for approaching two-hours is inexcusable. Despite its charm and surprisingly (just about) tolerable dialogue, this is no better than Winick’s previous offering of Bride Wars. I recommend watching a re-run of Notting Hill or other rom-com classics instead, as this will be in the bargain-bin soon enough!

Rating: 2/5

This year we’ve included a number of secretive Hes Hall big wigs such as the elusive Keith Lilley, to offer a real perspective on who does what. But position isn’t everything, this year there’s been a real emphasis on knowledge with regular students like Miles Layram easily making it into the top 30.

So sit back, relax and get to grips with York University’s real movers and shakers…

As director of facilities management Keith Lilley is in charge of the entire non-academic side of the University. This broad role means that Lilley rules the roost in the distribution of key services areas such as cleaning, catering, security, timetabling and University bars.

With the campus doubling in size, inside sources tell Vision that Lilley has been charged with carrying out Hes Hall’s masterplan which will see the Heslington East project through the recession.

However Lilley’s mighty plans are not always student friendly, it is alleged that he personally pushed through the portering cuts in key Hes Hall meetings and as director of York University Pensions Funds Ltd., he is also responsible for the University’s continued investment in unethical investments such as BAE systems.

Although he describes himself as the University’s “most senior administrative officer”, Cantor has substantially more power on a national scale, and thus has less influence on the student body than one might imagine.

Despite this, his actions do affect the student body, with one anonymous YUSU insider describing him as the University’s “chief salesman”.

If anything Cantor’s power lies in what he can do for himself, lets not forget Vision’s investigation last month which exposed Cantor’s enormous expenses.

David Duncan is relatively new to the job, joining the University in 2008.

Duncan has become an influential figure in the multi-million pound library renovation, a project which has seen whole floors of the library cut-off causing chaos in peak exam periods.

Duncan will continue to reign over the project next year as the library works look set to continue.

Duncan also controls computer services, human resources and health and safety in the University, as well as a taking a key role in the quality and assurance of academic assessments. A source close to the University described him as “a very, very busy man”.

When Ngwena won his first term as president, he entered the union as a very non political individual, however over the past year Ngwena has positioned himself in the mainstream of campus politics, swiftly embedding his authority.

Tim has pushed through YUSU’s ambitious ‘strategic plan’ which sets the stage for YUSU objectives over the next 4 years.

Another term as president next year will further cement his already powerful position in not just campus, but University politics. However, this has led some to question his authority – is Tim too close to University bosses?

Having said this, Ngwena seems to have defied troublesome set-backs in the portering campaign and even avoided a motion of censure.

Poor old Grenville hasn’t had the best of years, and it’s reflected in this year’s ranking – number five as the Pro Vice Chancellor for STUDENTS ain’t great. Over summer she is said to have buckled under pressure to cut portering hours, a further exposé on the front page of Vision didn’t help her reputation.

It isn’t all bad news though, Grenville continues to have major sway, chairing influential bodies like the Special Cases Committee and the Student Services Committee. She is also in charge of the college Provosts.
6. TREVOR SHELDON
Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of learning and information.

7. YUM
Campus’ eyes and ears. The coolest kids in town, or so we’ve heard.

8. STEPHEN TOWN
Director of University Library and Archives.

9. LEWIS BRETTS
YUSU D&S Officer/promise breaker. Bretter luck in your next job.

10. GRAHAM GILBERT
Director of Finance. Keeping his hands on the purse-strings in this time of recession.

11. ELIZABETH HEAPS
Most important figure for Hes East besides “The Beast”.

12. BEN HUMPHRYS
Welfare officer Humphrys has shown himself to be an assertive sabb this year, leading relatively successful campaigns such as ‘Keep Your Cool’ and ‘Crime Week’. His successful bid to become next years’ academic affairs officer confirmed his strong support base and has further boosted him up the power list.

13. JON GREENWOOD
Director of Commerical Services. Not barred yet.

14. BAILEY OLIVER
It’s been a tough year for our Security Operations Manager Bailey Oliver, with a restricted portering service and increases of crime on campus. Oliver was, however, instrumental in ensuring that Prince Andrew’s visit ran smoothly earlier this term.

15. CHARLIE LEYLAND
YUSU’s leading lady after two years at the top.

16. PHIL KEMBER
As head of the Conference Office, which looks after the University’s most important visitors, Phil Kember wields enormous power over the University community by securing vital revenue. Outside term-time, his conferences effectively take over campus completely.

17. RHIANNA KINCHIN
Steering societies and wrangling RAG

18. EMILY SCOTT
YorkSport President – lost Roses but won our hearts

19. KATE DODD
Should you get into trouble, Kate Dodd, the University’s Academic Registrar, is the person who will decide whether or not to kick you out. She also plays a pastoral role for the university.

20. UNION TRUSTEE BOARD
Guiding YUSU and making the big decisions

21. SUE JOHNSTON
Head of Campus Services. A very im-porter-ant figure

22. SAM ASFAHANI
YorkSport President elect and Bluto from “Popeye” lookalike

23. TIMETABLING OFFICE
Keeping tabs on who goes where, when and why

24. MILES LAYRAM
He has no position in YUSU, yet English Ph.D student Miles Layram has used his years of YUSU knowledge to assert himself on campus. A cleverly timed censure on Tim Negwena and Ben Humphries didn’t succeed but had a lasting impact on the way students viewed YUSU sabbaticals in action.

25. CHRISTIAN UNION
Spreading the word whether you like it or not.

26. SUSIE FOTHERGILL
Fundraising for societies just like us. Wonderful!

27. NICK SCARLETT
King of Kids Camp and Student Activities Sabb elect

28. STEPHEN KENNEY
Legendary 21+ Rep with sway

29. CHARLIE ROWLEY
Cheesy Pop fan and Council Chair

30. HOLLY BURTON
Darts Darling and Derwent Chair

31. DAVID CLARKE
Environment and Ethics for a second year running, David Clarke is building up contacts and gaining momentum in YUSU. He has is tipped to be an intergral player in campus campaigns next year.

32. JASON ROSE
Still a prolific meeting attender and insatiable UGM proposer

33. LYDIA BLUNDELL
Halifax President and yet another cheese fan

34. GSA – RUI HAUNG
Helping the aged

35. YORK ENTREPRENEURS
Thanks to their various events, these campus Del Boys are easily one of the richest societies.Their competition launch parties often run into the thousands and feature some of the most expensive speakers on campus.

36. TIM ELLIS
Leading students over in Hes East

37. LGBT COMMITTEE
Having a gay old time

38. DAN WALKER
D&S Officer elect and apparently the son of a hegdehog

39. RACHEL HESSELWOOD
Volunteering Veteran – well liked by YUSU and others

40. CHRIS ETHERIDGE
May not be in YUSU anymore but recently proved he can stir up quite a bit of trouble

41. TAHIR SHETTY
Vanbrugh Chair

42. MATT BAILEY
Influential Chemistry Course Rep

43. YUsnow
Snowbotherers and Yeti lovers

44. YUSU ENTS REPS
The union’s wannabe party boys

45. LAURA BO
BO ‘electa!

46. YUSU WOMENS OFFICERS
YUSU women’s committee are planning big things for freshers next term, the committee features a well connected bunch and they are looking more and more influential.

47. RUGBY CLUB
Scrum chums

48. SAM WESTROP
NUS Delegate and Freedom Society founder

49.GREG DYKE
BBCause he has a bit of sway with the VC

50. RAG

“We didn’t know about soccer before we came over here! Now we support Tottenham Hotspur.. a lot of Londoners do, so maybe that’s why. It’s definitely a culture thing over here and a lot more mainstream than in the US.”

Chris Cain, bassist and backing vocalist for the group, openly admitted that they don’t take football, or soccer, remotely seriously; or much else for that matter. We Are Scientists’ biography states that Chris and Keith (lead vocalist and guitarist) “majored in Babes” during their university education in Southern California; their website (www.wearescientists.com) is a complementary amalgamation of sarcastic wit, and tongue in cheek tweets. The pair have also produced a comedy television series, ‘Steve Wants His Money’, which was shown on MTV. Chris, however, assures that the band are serious about their live act.

“I was a big fan of Stone Temple Pilots in the 90s. They have two incredible albums and when I saw them, they played very well but their attitude on stage was just stupid. When he talked between songs he was just a dick, and almost making fun of the fact that people would actually like Stone Temple Pilots. It’s very upsetting to meet a musician with this incredible catalogue, watch them play it really well and then make fun of it between songs. It’s really disheartening.”

Often we presume that bands spring out of nowhere, somehow getting their lucky break because their singer’s-sister’s-boyfriend’s-half cousin’s-landlord’s-nephew happened to know a DJ who got them on a bill an at exclusive London club, and as they say, the rest is history. But We Are Scientists are different; they gigged for years to crowds of ten, thirty-five, and eventually several hundred, before they made a record that caused people to pay attention.
“We played little shows we could book ourselves for five years before we really got in front of anybody. We played at the level we should have been playing. A lot of bands are suddenly at a level of popularity that their abilities don’t really stand up to and it seems very difficult to get past that point because you immediately acquire a reputation as kinda, sucking. It’s, comparatively, easy to record a couple of songs.. but if you can’t play, people are gonna hate what they see.”

When asked about how he thinks bands can succeed nowadays, Chris admitted: “I don’t know if there’s any tricks or anything, but you’ve gotta get your live act honed and polished.”

Last year, the band broke ties with their record label, Virgin, and created their own label, Master Swan Records, to release their third album, Barbara.
“A label is a steamline way of developing a fan base, and being able to tour, which can initially be expensive to the band. Now, we’re just paying individual vendors to do all the things that a label does., we hire people to do press, people to help us with marketing, and people to do sales.. it’s just that, with a label, each of those people would be on the same floor of a building.”

I asked the bassist if it was possible for a band to breakthrough into the music industry today without label support. “I wouldn’t want to try! For a band just starting out, to afford those services without any real guarantee that it was going to go anywhere, it would just be very difficult. You’d have to be a real dice roller..”

Now that the band retain more control over their musical output, it has become increasingly important for them to consider how their services are distributed. “It was our label’s decision to put our record on Spotify. Spotify is a good thing. I think that’s the direction music is moving towards – a subscription model. I don’t think it’ll be long until Spotify can pay the rights holders for playing the songs. They already have the model in place; they just haven’t yet begun to make any money. Actually, I think Spotify is starting to pay us nominal amounts for each play..”

When asked if he’d rather than fans purchased We Are Scientists’ music, Chris admitted: “I guess it’s nice for people to buy the record if that’s how they like to consume music. I think ultimately Spotify will become the equivalent [of buying music]. The commercial radio station model is exactly like the free service on Spotify – they acquire ads and that’s how they pay their PRS [artist royalties]. Some people will never come to a show who buy music, but the people who listen to Spotify might go to a show and buy a t-shirt or something. There are a lot of ways to support a band, and ultimately if you’re really into a band, then, probably, something you’re doing is going to make them money.. whether it’s listening to radio stations who play that kinda music and therefore making that station more popular, or going to live shows. We live in a consumer economy and all of these activities have values attached to them.. people are making money off them one way of another. Lots of ways are compensated.”

But there isn’t necessarily enough compensation to keep the entire music industry, as it is today, afloat. After reported cuts and a lack of funding for artist development, the future of music is looking increasingly uncertain.
“I think we’re going through a technological revolution and we don’t know where it’s going to go, or even what the possibilities are yet. People are having a hard time catching up to it, with their revenue plans.”

Chris talks about his disappointment in how listeners are made to feel like they’ve caused the problems, as without their support, the industry simply wouldn’t exist.
“The real crime would be if in five years from now, music in general is just a less popular art form because it’s been so flooded with bad feelings. The thing that worries me most about the current situation is that we are criminalising, or vilifying listeners and fans. It’s a terrible precedent and it’s a terrible way to move music as an art form. I don’t think music should be realm where people have to feel guilty.”

We Are Scientists will be touring America later this year, with support from up and coming band, Rewards.
“They’re a band you definitely won’t have heard of yet. The frontman is really incredible and has put together a really good group of dudes to play! By this time next year, the Rewards’ record will be on your radar. They’re more indie than us, definitely darker and moodier.”

The sentiments expressed by EDL supporters in the video are extremely distasteful and distressing, it shows young, mostly white, mostly male, individuals expressing their hatred towards ‘Asians’ who they feel are ‘taking over’ and threatening their way of life.  Although it might be expected that in York, part of the Yorkshire area which elected a BNP MEP, students may be aware of the threat of the far right, everyone I have discussed the video with seemed shocked and astonished at the feelings that supporters of the EDL expressed.

It is frankly terrifying that students, at one of the country’s top Universities, who one would assume take an interest in current affairs are shocked and surprised by feelings that are strong enough and widespread enough, to frequently bring thousands of people onto the streets.

This ignorance is not limited to students, upon speaking to supporters of the EDL, it is clear that a wider unawareness of their feelings cause many people to support the EDL. One supporter told me that he feels the English are an ‘ignored people, we are like foreigners in our own country, there are no jobs, you can’t get seen in the hospitals because they are full of Asians, and nobody dare say anything about it. That is why we need the EDL.’  Another supporter claimed that, ‘nobody listens to us, all my family have always voted Labour but what good has it done us.’ Although the fears and beliefs of the many EDL supporters may be false and they display what can be seen to be ill-founded or misguided beliefs, mainstream politicians, and the media have been too quick to disregard the concerns of vast swathes of people who feel abandoned by Westminster politics, and have subsequently become frustrated and angry.

In such a situation people can often look for a scapegoat for their problems, and as Robert Lambert and Jonathan Githens-Mazer co-directors of the European Muslim Research centre claim, since 9/11 some sections of the media have made it far too easy to label those Muslims who do not wish to compromise their beliefs as ‘extremists’ and ‘terrorists’ who wish England to become an Islamic state, and who are favoured by the government ahead of ‘English’ people.

However, mainstream politicians and the mainstream media have been too quick to ignore or scorn these accusations, and consequently those that believe in them. David Cameron has described supporters of the EDL as ‘dreadful people’, comments such as these do little more than exacerbate the feeling of isolation and helplessness of those who sympathise with the views of the EDL.  What is needed is an honest, full debate, on the reasons that lie behind the support of the EDL. This would go some way to disprove the rumours and lies spread by the EDL and those in the press who feed its fires, and also re-engage those supporters of the EDL who feel ignored by mainstream politics.

The EDL will not go away by ignoring and dismissing it, immigration and multiculturalism have had a extremely positive impact on British society, however, in some parts of the country there has been undeniable mistakes in its implementation. Many cities have been left deeply divided and polarised. In the segregation that this creates; distrust, ignorance and fear have developed, and this has become particularly focused on Islam. It is these feelings that drive people to organisations such as the EDL and it is only by addressing their concerns head on that the EDL and similar movements that will inevitable follow it, will be starved of supporters.

The scene of the stabbing, Shell garage, Hull Road

Students have been left “shocked and appalled” following the attack of a student outside the Shell Garage on Hull Road last Friday.

The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, following a night out. The victim remained in hospital through the weekend.

One second year Maths student was stunned to hear the news: “It’s crazy that something like this can happen so close to campus, especially in a city as safe as York.”

Another student described walking home with the victim at around 5am, and parting with him at the Barbican Centre. It is estimated that the incident took place between 5 and 5.30am.

North Yorkshire Police were unavailable for comment, but Vision has learned that an ambulance was called soon after the crime by a third party and the police were informed in due course. It is understood that police have launched an investigation, though the precise circumstances of the stabbing are yet to surface.

After being treated at York District Hospital, the man was said on Sunday to be making a steady recovery by friends.

YUSU Welfare Officer Ben Humphrys said of the incident: “I can’t stress enough the need to take care of your personal safety. Crime may be comparatively infrequent in York but it does happen, taxis, the YUSU late night minibus, the night bus and the security escort service are all there to ensure you get home safely; please use them.”

Most striking about the event is that it is the culmination of a spate of student related violence and crime over the last academic year. Earlier this month, Vision reported on the suspected assault of a student in the Duchess nightclub by a bouncer. Similarly, an article on Vision’s website reported a week later of three muggings taking place in as many days, all on or around campus. Laptop theft has also taken place throughout the year in the library and directly from students’ rooms.

Another incident involved Mickal Grabarczyk, who in the Autumn Term was on bail for assaulting a police officer and drunk and disorderly behaviour and was offered temporary accommodation by sympathetic students. He also broke into secure accommodation blocks and stole food from student kitchens on multiple occasions, claiming that this was only possible due to poor security on campus. A condition of Grabarczyk’s bail was that he didn’t enter University property.

In a similar vein, ex-Women’s Officers Amal Ali and Ellie Kuper Thomas organised a march around poorly lit areas of campus last December. The march, named “Reclaim the Night” highlighted the risks posed to students from such areas of the university. More recently, students have complained of the security threat posed by many broken front doors to campus accommodation blocks.

All of these are summed up by a Vision investigation in March that revealed that crime on campus had risen by 72%.

For many students the increase of on-campus crime has been blamed on the reduction in portering hours this year, leaving many colleges without 24-hour or weekend porters. However, the University has claimed that the security presence has increased on campus, and denied this assessment.

The victim of Friday’s attack remains in recovery, though Vision cannot provide full details of the event.

Vision has discovered that the university was not prepared to continue financing the ISA as it was not satisfied with how the association was running its financial accounts. It is understood that one of their two accounts, receiving approximately £30,000 a year from the University, was not adequately accounting for its expenditure.

Such a lack of accountability mean that the ISA could have easily signed blank cheques or simply withdrawn funds without anybody noticing.

Vision put these findings to the ISA’s newly elected President, Aaron Ong, he failed to deny them. At the time of press, Ong refused to speak to Vision or answer any questions regarding the matter.

Earlier this year David Duncan, the University’s registrar and secretary, had to call in the ISA’s then-president, Daria Pawlowska, to find out what the ISA was, how it was being run and who was responsible for its various undertakings. It was after this dialogue that the university made its decision over the ISA.

Speaking to Vision, Pawlowska denied that there was any misappropriating of finances but accepted that two accounts led to “confusion” on the University’s part. Pawlowska also supports the idea of going under YUSU, addinng, “we will have more staff support in the future which I’m really looking forward to.” Ong is reportedly not satisfied with this outcome and wants to see the ISA continue as it currently does.

It is likely the university and the union will try to avoid any legal implications by presenting the changes as a restructuring. At last week’s UGM, Ben Humphrys, YUSU Welfare Officer, put forward a motion to incorporate the ISA within the students’ union so that there would still be representation for international students. Although the motion had support, because not enough votes were cast, the proposal did not meet quoracy.

YUSU are likely to push through the agenda in Week 4 of the autumn term, and will take responsibility of the ISA’s commitments until then.

Humphrys commented: “It’s really exciting that we’re going to be working much more closely with the ISA next year and that we’ll be able to give them the staff and sabb support they deserve.”

If and when it passes, the President of the ISA would become a YUSU part-time officer. The ISA would then be demoted, joining the eighteen other sub-committees in the union.

The university’s press officer, David Garner, said of the matter: “We have had discussions with the ISA President and YUSU about the relationship between the ISA, YUSU and the GSA. Those discussions are ongoing with the incoming President following the recent ISA elections. The university will continue to support the International Students’ Association and is committed to working with it to enhance the experience of international students at York.”

The ISA is no stranger to controversy. During their elections last year, every candidate running for president and treasurer were disqualified and by-elections had to be held after the summer break.

A tough match lies in store for both teams as the top two sides of this year’s competition go head to head on Wednesday afternoon.

Derwent will look to their formidable defensive record for inspiration, having conceded in only two of their six matches en route to the final. Derwent however will unquestionably be tested against an Alcuin side who have been scoring freely, most impressively hitting pre-tournament favourites Halifax 1sts for five in the semi-final encounter last week.

If history is anything to go by Alcuin have the clear edge, with the Cup holders clinching victory in their three previous encounters. For Derwent the most significant of these defeats was of course the opening tournament game between the two sides, when Alcuin sealed a 3-1 victory over the team they now face in this week’s final.

Yet that match was almost seven weeks ago, and Derwent have improved immeasurably as the Cup has progressed. The Derwent Army will be boosted by the return of Dave Attwood in goal, the goalkeeper having missed the semi-final clash with Vanbrugh 1sts, and he will be aided by the ever-reliable central pairing of Dom Henney and Steve Walwyn in a possible 4-5-1 formation. Underrated Joe Broughflower provides stability to the backline along the right side, and at left back slot captain Matt Hallam must choose between either Ric Burne or Paul-Ward Jones.

Deploying a five man midfield, Hallam will position himself in his customary central midfield position, with star player Chris Barnett and Alex Cooper operating either side of him. Ben Smith is likely to operate in the attacking midfield position as he aims to provide support for Ed Lacaille, who will seemingly operate as the lone striker. Expect also to see some of Nav Jabarkhyl if Derwent are trailing going into the final quarter.

Alcuin’s line-up should remain consistent with that of recent weeks. Veteran university goalkeeper Michael Wynd will get the nod in goal, with full-back and captain Miles McDermott most probably favouring a 4-4-2 formation. In front of Wynd will be Simon Reiss and Jack Crane, and Jake Delaney given the left back slot.
The amount of attacking options at McDermott’s disposal can only give him and his side confidence in this encounter. Joe Cooper and Dan Cox are almost certain to lead the attacking line, but Udy Onwudike, much like our beloved Emile Heskey, provides an extra physical dimension if the need arises.

There was a sense of disappointment amongst some observers when Halifax were paired with Alcuin in the semi-finals, with some feeling the match-up between two of the tournament’s most skilful teams should have been saved for this week’s final encounter. Much like last season’s Champions League, when we wondered what happened to the Barcelonas, the Arsenals and the Manchester Uniteds of the competition, some confusion still surrounds the collapse of Halifax.

As a collection of individual players, Halifax’s pedigree this year was unrivalled, but their inability to gel as a team proved to be the Fax’s downfall. In the wake of this country’s miserable exit from the World Cup last weekend, it is tempting to draw comparisons between a team that defended like 8-year-old amateurs and Halifax, although that would be harsh on the team many, this paper included, considered favourites for the College Cup. Halifax’s failure to become more than the sum of their parts was a great disappointment though.

Vanbrugh are another side who many felt would grace this year’s final, yet their subdued 1-0 semi-final defeat to Derwent came as a surprise. After the culmination of group stages in which Vanbrugh stunned Halifax 3-0 and impressed with their attractive football, whilst Derwent persistently underwhelmed, punters would have had their money on Vanbrugh to sweep past the Blues and reach the final.

This was not to be, however, and Vanbrugh showed little resistance as they were suffocated into submission in their semi-final with Derwent. It is a well worn saying that football is a team game, but Vanbrugh suffered greatly with only a half-fit Ali Prince leading the line against Derwent. Deprived of the creativity and deadly finishing that brought Prince 7 goals in 6 games, Vanbrugh’s attacking edge was blunted, and once Derwent took the lead they never really looked likely to lose it. Vanbrugh were the surprise package of this tournament, yet in the end they ran out of steam against a Derwent team that has built up momentum after a slow start to the competition.

Both sides have a style of play that can combine physical, long passing football with crisp, smooth flowing play, whilst Alcuin have the option of classical wing play with the talented Laird. Still, don’t fall under the assumption that this is all the sides have to offer.

The finalist's paths to the final

Derwent don’t possess great firepower in attack, lacking a talismanic leader of the line in the shape of a Bruce Starkey or a Ali Prince, but their threat comes from a Rolls-Royce midfield run by the roaming Chris Barnett, a player whose technique, range of passing, and deadly shooting will be key to the Blues’ chances of success.
Alcuin look the more dangerous team going forward, with potential match winners all over the field, from Miles McDermott to Christy Cormac through to the strike duo of Joe Cooper and Dan Cox; Derwent must be wary. Cooper and Cox have yielded seven goals between them so far.

Nevertheless, Alcuin must find a way past a Derwent team that really have improved since their opening group stage disappointment at the hands of the Cup holders. Derwent’s backline has been rock solid since their defeat to Alcuin, an attribute highlighted in their ability to hold out a pressing Vanbrugh in the semis, and in the statistic that they have only conceded once in their last five games.

An electric atmosphere will surely not be lacking along the sidelines, with both colleges’ supporters not shy of participating in the merciless but jovial banter that has epitomised what the Cup is about.

Alcuin have been the most consistently impressive side in this year’s competition, and possess match winners all over the team. Derwent are out for revenge though, and will be quietly confident of victory if they can run the game like they did against Vanbrugh. With both teams in bullish form, this will be a captivating final.

A Steve Walwyn header in the first half was enough to defeat a tired-looking Vanbrugh side, although Derwent could easily have won by more in a game that reflected the team’s vast improvement as the tournament has progressed. After a comprehensive defeat by Alcuin in their opening game, and the less than impressive win over Vanbrugh Thirds in the following match, Derwent looked unlikely challengers for the Cup, despite their pre-tournament billing as joint favourites. Now though the blues have started to hit their stride, and today they built on their emphatic 3-1 quarter-final defeat of James with a composed, stylish win over Vanbrugh.

The match started with a bang, as only moments into an explosive first half Derwent came within inches of opening the scoring. Running to meet a corner, Ben Smith smacked a volley against the crossbar, rattling the woodwork and sending out a warning shot to the Vanbrugh defence. Vanbrugh replied by giving Derwent a scare themselves, with an Ali Prince free-kick causing Derwent goalkeeper Roy Moore to spill the ball in the area and only just manage to gather it up at the feet of Vanbrugh’s forwards. 

Apart from this incident Vanbrugh were largely on the back foot, as Derwent’s highly impressive  Chris Barnett imposed his will on the match from central midfield and forward Ben Smith caused Vanbrugh’s back four problems with his darting runs. Derwent were playing some of the best football of the competition, and despite the physical presence of Phil Taylor up front and tricky wing play from Ben Stanier on the wing, it was Derwent who looked the more dangerous team in attack. Vanbrugh were often guilty of overelaboration when going forward, with attempted flicks failing to come off and ambitious passes missing their intended targets. Vanbrugh badly needed an on-song Ali Prince, and with the half-fit striker looking only a shadow of the prolific forward who had set the early stages of this tournament alight, Vanbrugh missed the sharpness in attack that had brought them 25 goals in five games before this match.

As half-time drew near Derwent’s dominance grew. Chris Barnett almost scored one of the goals of the tournament when he plucked the ball from the sky, raced powerfully past two Vanbrugh players, and, with the ball moving away from him fast, hit a stunning drive that crashed against the post. It was an exceptional piece of skill that deserved a goal, and a few minutes later defender Steve Walwyn brought the goal that had been coming when he met a corner unchallenged and planted a header into the bottom corner, making it 1-0 to Derwent at half time.

In comparison to the first half the second was a largely uneventful affair, and this was largely down to Derwent’s ability to intelligently sit on their lead and stifle the game. Dom Henney and Steve Walwyn were composed in central defence, and were able to successfully shut out any Vanbrugh attacks. A tired-looking Ali Prince was withdrawn with fifteen minutes to go for Jamie Clarke as Vanbrugh sought to provide some fresh impetus to their play, but as the match neared its end Vanbrugh looked no more likely to equalise, with the team reduced mainly to speculative long shots. At one point Ben Stanier forced an athletic save from Moore with a mishit cross that the Derwent goalkeeper did well to tip over the crossbar, but in truth Derwent rarely looked like conceding. They almost scored a second ten minutes from time when Matt O’Connor raced onto a through-ball and managed to chip Paul Taylor, only to skew his shot wide with the goal at his mercy. 

As Vanbrugh became increasingly desperate, captain Dan Hewitt let his frustration show when he saw teammates arguing with the referee over a free-kick. Vanbrugh’s last opportunity fell to Phil Taylor, who couldn’t jump quite high enough to meet a corner and sent his header high and wide. In the last play of the game Vanbrugh were awarded a free-kick and piled their players into Derwent’s penalty area, only for Hewitt to overhit the free kick and render Vanbrugh’s players a harmless presence in Derwent’s box as the final whistle blew.

In this week, more than most, it is easy to remember that there is more than one way to exit a cup competition. France did so stroppily at the World Cup, with ignominy bordering on disgrace. Nicolas Mahut did so at Wimbledon, something of a hero, albeit a knackered one. But rarely will an exit have left a feeling of stunned bemusement as that which Halifax must have experienced after this hammering by an irresistable Alcuin side.

From the outset Alcuin appeared to want the win, and the resultant berth in the final more than their opponents. Their effort and team unity were second to none, chasing every ball and in general giving 110% for the cause. Fax on the other hand  were on the back foot after merely one minute of play when Joe Cooper’s tap in made it 1-0.

More misery was to come to Halifax before half time. Firstly Miles Mcdermott’s corner somehow managed to find the head of Ali Laird, the smallest player on the pitch, who planted a firm header past Mark Lund in the Halifax goal and there was a sense of deja vu when Sam Reiss rose unmarked to make it 3-0. At the other end Alcuin goalkeeper Michael Wynd was little more than a spectator, though he did show himself more adept than Rob Green at handling a Jabulani struck from distance.

Halifax did turn up the effort after the interval but it was unfortunate for them that Alucin took the opportunity afforded them by a 3 goal cushion to turn up the skill. Their 4th goal simply oozed class. Jack Crane played an ambitious ball down the right hand side which the impressive man-of-the-match Laird did well to keep in after he had chased it down with whippet like pace. The forward then followed this up with a composed pull back which found Dan Cox whose neat footwork was followed by a deft finish.

Alcuin’s day was somewhat marred when Dom Petschak headered a consolation for Halifax, but they ended on a high, Phil Bowers sliding home the 5th. The crowd were left to wonder what had happened to the quality Halifax side we have come to expect, but on this form it would be hard for any side to live with Alcuin. They must surely now be favourites to lift the cup. After this display they’ve probably cleared a space for it in their trophy cabinet already.