The University's annual charity football match returned to Portsmouth Football Club on Monday for another memorable occasion, bringing together students, staff, and the wider community in support of two local charities
The University of Portsmouth’s Charity Football Match returned to Fratton Park on bank holiday Monday (4 May), raising over £11,000 for two local charities.
Now in its seventh year, the match welcomed over 500 spectators to the home of Portsmouth Football Club to watch staff and students battle it out for the trophy - and bragging rights for the academic year ahead.
With students and staff having won three matches each, Monday's game settled the tie with the staff team claiming victory, and a final score of 2-1.
Having collectively raised over £67,000 across previous games, this year's event brought the overall total to £78,204. A raffle held in the Victory Lounge raised additional funds, with prizes donated by local and regional businesses, including Portsmouth Football Club, Delta Force Paintballing, Village Hotel, Kings Theatre, and many others.
The money will support the ongoing work of Pompey in the Community (PitC), which uses sport to engage and uplift people of all ages, and the Portsmouth Futures Fund, which provides life-changing financial support to students in need. For more about the charities or to donate, visit sport.port.ac.uk.
Seven years in, this event continues to grow and the pride we feel in what students and staff achieve together is immense. The atmosphere at Fratton Park is something special every time - it's one of those occasions that truly captures the spirit of our University and our city. Raising money for Pompey in the Community and the Portsmouth Futures Fund means this match leaves a real legacy beyond the final whistle.
Paul Tilley, the University’s Director of Sport and Recreation, said: “Seven years in, this event continues to grow and the pride we feel in what students and staff achieve together is immense. The atmosphere at Fratton Park is something special every time - it's one of those occasions that truly captures the spirit of our University and our city. Raising money for Pompey in the Community and the Portsmouth Futures Fund means this match leaves a real legacy beyond the final whistle.”
Clare Martin MBE, Head of Marketing, Fundraising and Commercial Partners at Pompey in the Community, added: “This is exactly what community is all about. We’re hugely thankful to the University of Portsmouth for supporting Pompey in the Community. It’s inspiring to see so many people coming together, having fun, and raising money for a cause that supports so many across the city.”
For the second year running, the match was played as a mixed-gender game, with both male and female players on both sides.
This is exactly what community is all about. We’re hugely thankful to the University of Portsmouth for supporting Pompey in the Community. It’s inspiring to see so many people coming together, having fun, and raising money for a cause that supports so many across the city.
(L-R) Freddie Hunt, Lola Meyer, Sayfullah Sulayman. Credit: Helen Yates
Jo Fairwood, Research Culture Coordinator at the University, played for the staff side again this year, after helping her teammates secure a victory in 2025. Speaking after the match, she said: “They say you can’t recreate a great moment, but they're wrong. Playing for the staff team again was just as rewarding as the first time. Of course, the win was the icing on the cake, but what truly made the day special was the people: the coaches, the student team, the staff team, the organisers, and everyone who came out to support. Thank you to everyone involved for making it another memorable day.”
The match was organised by the University’s Sport and Recreation team at Ravelin Sports Centre, with support from Portsmouth Football Club (PFC) as part of a partnership that continues to offer unique opportunities for student engagement and development.
Students were encouraged to volunteer at the event, providing practical skills and gaining work experience at a Championship football ground. Students operated the cameras that were used to show the game on the big screen, using the PA for key messages as well as taking pitch-side photography and promoting on social media.
Managing the staff team has been extremely enjoyable and rewarding. Seeing them grow in their ability in such a short time has made me think I need to take this up full-time!
The staff team was led by Sam Armstrong (Sports Duty Supervisor at Ravelin Sports Centre) and Petar Markov (Head coach of UOP Futsal Sports Club). Kate Robertson (Team UOP Performance Officer), Zak Taylor (Team UOP RAG Officer) and Jay Hudson (Men's Football Club President) are the student team co-managers.
Staff co-captain Sam Armstrong said: “Managing the staff team has been extremely enjoyable and rewarding. Seeing them grow in their ability in such a short time has made me think I need to take this up full time!”
Student co-captain Kate Robertson added: “It’s safe to say Jay and I selected the dream team, who have put an incredible effort into fundraising for Pompey in the Community alongside our relentless training block - which has flown by! This has been an incredible end to my four years with the University, and it’s safe to say I will be back at Fratton Park for next year’s match.”
To donate to the charities supported by this year's match, visit the website here.
(L-R) Jamie Jones, Josh Osofa, Harry Dickson, Daniel Petrov. Credit: Helen Yates
The University of Portsmouth has a strong relationship with Portsmouth Football Club (PFC), serving as the club's Main Club Partner since the 2018/19 season.
This includes offering a partnership scholarship that financially supports a local student each year for three years of their degree.
Expanding its commitment to the football industry, the University has also partnered with the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) to support the PFA Business School in awarding postgraduate diplomas and certificates. The University also supports a number of Premier League football officials from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) through physiotherapy and strength and conditioning at Ravelin Sports Centre.