Fantastic result in the HSBC ‘Beautiful Game’

We are known to be quite ‘sporty’ accountants and we were delighted to beat off stiff competition to clinch a coveted football trophy and score an extra bonus for a charity close to our hearts.

Team Wright Vigar fielded a determined squad for the third annual seven-a-side HSBC Football Tournament as all our players had their sights firmly set on making 2015 Wright Vigar’s year – and we did!

The format for the event – at the University of Lincoln’s pitch – saw teams from accountancy, legal and banking firms enter the fray. We played two groups of round robin, with the best making it through to the semi-finals and grand final.

Wright Vigar Director (and player!) James Sewell takes up our commentary, recalling an evening of “serious”, but good-humoured play.

“We started off by taking on past-tournament winner, Nicholsons and managed to come out on top with a one-nil win.  It was a positive start and we then squared-up to show the team from Solicitor Langleys what we were made of.

“That game fizzled out into a nil-nil draw, but we were encouraged, having enjoyed all the possession,” said James.

“Strong teamwork, slick passing of the ball and great goals meant we were able to see off HSBC in our third game. Wright Vigar shut up shop at two-nil. Finally, we did enough in our final push – against Sills & Betteridge – earning ourselves a place in the knock-out games.

“The semi-finals looked tough. Challenged with taking on tournament favourite Wilkin Chapman we stepped-up our game. Our defence had vowed it was never going to concede,” said James.

“We had beaten the opposition the week before at table football and we weren’t about to give in when it came to the real thing!”

In the final, against an “alternative” HSBC team, Wright Vigar ended-up equalising, forcing the game to penalties. We snatched victory and history was made.

But our sporting stars are not the only ones left celebrating. Eight teams paid £100 to play, but the bank doubled the combined entry fees creating a pot worth £1,600 for our jubilant winners.

After a quick celebration drink, accompanied by plenty of banter and back-slapping, Team Wright Vigar made off with the booty and there was no doubt that it would be put to good use.

“We unanimously decided that the money should go to Macmillan Cancer Support.  It was an obvious and worthwhile choice, because we have seen colleagues battling this disease,” added James.

Should any club out there be looking for some “hot signings” the Wright Vigar team was made up of: Josh Bowden, Craig MacBeath, Connor Marshall, Jonathan Kerry, Ian Ball, Matt Chadwick, Pokhin Cheung, Joe Ofori and player manager James Sewell.  All work out of our Lincoln office!