On 21 June 2025, Clare Hall Football Club (CHFC) made history with their victory in a 11-a-side match against Clare College Football Club (CCFC). Clare and Clare Hall have long shared a close sporting relationship, with members of Clare Hall playing a key role in the success of CCFC in the 2024/25 season. While Clare Hall’s own footballing presence remains more modest, its weekly 5-a-side team showed resilience and commitment throughout a challenging season. 

Clare Hall Football Club was founded back in 2006, and continued for several years after. The revival of the college’s own team was an exciting development in this academic year.

Clare Hall Football Club in 2006-2007 (left), and 2007-2008 (right).

The weekly names on the 5-a-side sheet had formed a close bond, fostered by their captain Adham El-Shazly and vice-captain Rishul Karia. The team consisted of two University first team players in Ayesha and Sara, who had only recently claimed victory in a Varsity classic, and a university calibre keeper in Kemlo.

The strength of CHFC was apparent during the match, and they emerged victorious with a 2-1 score against CCFC.

Read more about the exciting match in a round-up by the CHFC team:

Despite the post-May Event haze and searing 30°C heat, the team, with Rishul upgraded to captaincy duties in Adham’s absence, arrived ready for a challenge against a formidable Clare side. Within their ranks, the incoming Cambridge University Football Club (CUFC) captain, 3s striker and multiple quality footballers were paramount to the recent CCFC promotion push. Up against the might of Clare, one might have been forgiven for thinking the result was a formality, but spirits were high! Spectators put their picnic blankets out. The players emerged, with Clare Hall in loud and proud bright yellow and Clare in whatever else they could cobble together because their kits are also yellow. The whistle blew, and the game began.

The opening salvo came from Clare Hall, knocking the ball around with the impetus of a side who had been playing 11 a side football all year. Clare captain Ben Keeling then misplaced a pass and Rishul received the ball. He danced around with the ball, playing a hospital pass into Sara who controlled it skilfully and finished it well to put Clare Hall in the lead. 1-0. Something special was in the air. Clare Hall were reinforced at around 10 minutes by returning Bumps spectators and competitors, with Will, Ismail and Ryan making an appearance. The first period ended, and things were looking good.

The second period started brightly again for Clare Hall, with Ayesha causing all sorts of problems, Aiman, Ismail and Rishul pulling the strings in the middle and Will and Romeo keeping their wingers quiet. However, after repeatedly requesting service, Adam was eventually played through on goal and sadly ended up tearing his ACL. Wishing him all the best in recovery! Despite this, Clare Hall remained on top and after some good link up, the ball fell to the feet of Sara, who saw fit to terrorise the Clare defence and square the ball to Doctor Ryan, who tucked it home with aplomb to put Clare Hall 2-0 up. 

A late penalty (controversially given by Ghan) saw Clare pull one back, setting up a tense finale, but Clare Hall were inspired thanks in part to a halftime team talk from Will that will live long in CHFC folklore. The game ended with a goal saving tackle from visiting fellow Travis, a couple of nervy corners and a comically overexaggerated save by film connoisseur Kemlo, sealing a famous 2-1 victory.

Upon conclusion, smiles adorned both sets of players, with the traditional Kit Kats handed out by Clare fellow William Wood and ice lollies providing a great compliment to the heat thanks to Polina, Robyn and Sara. Finally, there was a presentation of the newly minted Karia-Keeling Cup, named after the respective captains (it’s a shield). While CHFC emerged triumphant, the day also celebrated the strong sporting ties between Clare and Clare Hall — a bond reflected in years of shared teams and mutual support.

Player of the Match: Sara (a class above – definitely not your traditional centre back!)

Special Mentions: Adam (putting his body on the line for the college),  Manos (ended up putting a shift in for Clare due to their lack of an available goalkeeper), Hannes and Mujeeb (kept Clare’s University striker incredibly quiet), and all those who turned a dream into a victory.