Football alumni continue to meet more than 50 years on

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A group of people standing and sitting for a group photo. People are wearing suits. They are indoors and there is a painting on the wall behind them.

The first gathering to celebrate Clive’s birthday in 2013

More than five decades since their time at Loughborough, a group of alumni who played football together in the 1970s continue to meet on an annual basis.

Newspaper cutting from the Loughborough Echo, 1971. Headline reads: Lucky Loughborough in PE Trophy
Feature in the Loughborough Echo, 1971

Michael (Mick) Aitken (Physical Education post graduate Cert.Ed., 1971), shared insights into the groups’ annual meet.

Many members of the group have stayed connected over the years. In 2013, more of the group came together to celebrate the 80th birthday of their coach, Clive Bond (Physical Education with Geography DLC, 1955). The alumni play golf annually, in a north v south battle. Clive remains a key part of Team North, now into his 90s. The alumni recently sported African Violet t-shirts for their day out on the golf course.

A former student and lecturer at Loughborough, Clive went on to become Head of Leeds Carnegie School of Physical Education. Mick added: “He was a brilliant and inspirational FA Coach who continues to have a profound influence on our lives.”

The group remember their football days at Loughborough fondly, and the 1970-71 season was no exception. Mick added:

“Under the leadership of Clive, the tight knit squad swept all before it that season, winning the UAU Championship and PE Wing Colleges Trophy, together with a fine run in the then FA Amateur Cup, including an epic win against one of the cup favourites Evenwood Town, and some excellent results against leading teams like a draw against a then FA Cup holders Chelsea side featuring several internationals.”

A group of people standing and crouching for a group photo. Most of the people are wearing African Violet t-shirts. They have golf clubs. There is grass and trees.The groups’ most recent gathering

Andy Worthington OBE, one of the earliest graduates from the four-year BEd programme (1967–1971), was captain of the football club in 1969–70, a regular representative of England Universities and the UAU, and later a recipient of both an MBE and OBE for services to sport.

On maintaining the lifelong connection with his Loughborough friends, Andy said:

“Our group is a great example of how sport brings an intensity of connection and friendship like no other. And in Clive Bond, our coach, mentor and friend, we have the catalyst who has ensured that those bonds last a lifetime.  

“It was a privilege to play for him, and for the College, in an outstanding team full of special people. Our annual get togethers, swapping stories of that season and our lives since, is one of the highlights of our year.”

Their lifelong friendships were borne out of football at Loughborough and continue to live on through sporting meet ups. The group is almost complete – minus a couple of people. If you were part of the team and would like to reconnect, please get in touch.