The biggest crowd in a decade
Alumni and students packed the great lawn on Saturday for the homecoming charity match — eleven-a-side, mixed batches, and a crowd the groundskeeper called the biggest in a decade. Gate donations crossed the scholarship target before half-time.
The tradition is simple: graduates take on the current students, the referee is always a retired teacher, and the trophy — a dented silver cup from 1974 — spends the year in the winning captain's office.
How the day unfolded
The students struck first within ten minutes, but the alumni steadied, levelled before the break and ran out 3–2 winners after a late header from substitute goalkeeper-turned-striker Priya Nair, class of 2016. The rematch is already pencilled in for spring.
- Mixed-batch elevens, students versus graduates
- Gate donations fund two full scholarships
- Family picnic and chapter stalls around the pitch
Beyond the scoreline
Forty city chapters held watch parties, and the overseas stream drew viewers from twelve time zones. “I flew in for one day just to stand on that touchline again,” said Marcus Bell, class of 2013, who organised the alumni squad. “Worth every mile.”
Join the next one
Squad trials and volunteer slots open through the events desk each term. Boots are optional — the picnic blanket section recruits every year.
Class of 2013 · Events volunteer. Marcus organises the alumni squad and the homecoming picnic stalls.