The sixth instalment of the Cambray Big Football Festival is won by Expected Toulouse as three charities benefit from the six-aside tournament.
It was brilliant to turn out for The Bang Boys – a name given to us by our manager, Jason Briggs Bang & Olufsen of Cheltenham Dealer Principal and Owner – in the 2026 instalment of the Cambray Big Football Festival.
This friendly and fun event has been held for six years and I believe I’ve attended five of them – playing in four and spectating at one after a knee op.
Youthful Class
We had a decent run, utilising our nine-man squad well, to the semi-finals. I even managed to notch a goal from my deep-lying (ambling) midfield role. But despite taking the lead in the semi through ‘Jugie,’ we succumbed 2-1 to the youthful class of eventual Champions Expected Toulouse.
Disappointed we couldn’t bag the title, but everyone involved should be praised for an event that raised money for The Dignity and Freedom Network (who support the poor, the marginalised and the outcastes in South Asia), The Motor Neurone Disease Association and The UK Sepsis Trust.
Great atmosphere
At the time of writing the target of three thousands pounds has been surpassed and cumulatively the festivals have raised more than twenty thousand pounds down the years.
Big thanks to Bishop’s Cleeve FC who hosted the event on their superb astro pitch, and to the spectators who created a great atmosphere.
I worked at Sky the evening of the tournament and certainly wasn’t moving too fluidly around the studio! But it was worth the sore muscles after a fun morning of football for three worthy causes.
