Lincoln’s university five a side leagues kick off this week, with the Sunday league already underway and the Wednesday league beginning today, October 16.

Both leagues offer the chance for students to participate in competitive football throughout the university year. The teams are made by the students and fixtures occur weekly, but there is a difference between the two leagues.

The sports centre told us, “The Sunday league is a fun league; it has a relaxed atmosphere with an emphasis on fun and making new friends. The Wednesday Pro-Viva is a serious league and each game is refereed. Both leagues end with medals and trophies.”

Having played in the Wednesday league, I can vouch for the competitive nature of the fixtures. Although there is a variety of quality, some fixtures can take on a very serious nature as teams battle it out to win the league.

Wednesday league matches last a potentially gruelling 25 minutes with no half-time break, and take place in the afternoon and evening. When the league reaches its conclusion, a cup knockout competition is introduced for a number league sides, and a further trophy awarded for the cup winners.

If you want to watch either of the five a side leagues, they are played on the astro-turf pitches at the back of the sports centre and stepped seating is available.

By Max Mclean

My name's Max, and I enjoy playing, watching, listening to, reading about and writing about sport.