Hartpury University are BUCS national football champions for a sixth time, after beating Chichester 1-0.

BUCS is British Universities and Colleges Sport, with a 100-year history of competitive university sport, across a huge range of sports from cycling to golf, athletics and rowing.

A 61st minute goal from Ben Hammett (MSc sports management) and assisted by Luca Robinson (BA (Hons) sports business management) was enough to seal the win.

Chris Knowles, senior men's football manager, said: "I was particularly pleased with the way we defended, and the strength of character showed by the players. This was a big factor in us progressing through the semi-final, and it was heartening to see the team carry this momentum through to the final. It was particularly satisfying to beat Chichester after they pipped us to the league on goal difference, so we felt we had something to prove."

Hartpury University has a strong record in the BUCS national football championship, having also finished as runners up on four other occasions during the last 18 years, in addition to their 11 Premier League titles.

The Hartpury Football Academy has also seen the junior men's first team win in their ECFA Quarter Final alongside an ESFA national final still to come. The junior women's team were crowned ECFA League champions for the second year in a row, thanks to an 8-1 win. The senior men's Hartpury University FC have also won their Hellenic Division 1 title and promotion to the Hellenic Premier.

Chris added: "There's real momentum this year with the football programme across the U18, U19 and BUCS categories and it was great to see Hartpury University FC secure a great league title win and promotion to step 5 this year."

Hartpury has strong links with professional clubs and a proven track record in providing opportunities for players to progress through non-league and into the professional game. Most recently, Laiith Fairnie has signed at Birmingham City and Mustapha Bundu at Plymouth Argyle, having both graduated through the programme.

The combination of full-time football in college and university, whilst playing men's football in the national pyramid, is a great environment for any young aspiring player.

Hartpury's Men's Football Academy offers students top-tier coaching and comprehensive support to reach their potential whilst studying for an academic qualification such as a sports degree.

Students on a dual pathway, training to be athletes as part of Hartpury's Sports Academies alongside their qualification, are supported to balance their studies with their playing commitments.