Year 4 student, Kieran Chumun, gives his account of the BSMS men's football 2024/25 season.
"The 2024/25 season will be remembered not for silverware or unbeaten streaks — but for sheer perseverance. This was a year of transitions, of grit, of figuring it out as we went along. A dog fight of a season — and we came through it stronger, tighter and still standing.
As is tradition at BSMS, upheaval was in the air, we lost a cohort of experienced, battle-hardened players at the start of the season — to graduation, intercalation and the unrelenting march of medical school life. Their absence left big boots to fill and a steep learning curve for the new faces joining the squad. This constant turnover is part of who we are — but that doesn’t make it any easier each time.
To add to the challenge, we found ourselves without Coach George for the first time in recent memory. His leadership and structure had anchored the team in previous seasons and his departure forced us to adapt fast, both tactically and operationally.
We’ve been fighting on all fronts; this was also the first season in which we had to operate under tighter financial constraints due to changes in the way MedSoc structure and allocate funding. The reduction in resources meant simple things — pitch fees, transport, even basic kit needs — suddenly required creative solutions and a lot of behind-the-scenes graft.
We were stretched, no doubt. But we never stopped turning up.
On the pitch, we’ve been holding the line, it was a battle. We found ourselves in the bottom half of the Mid Sussex Football League Division 2 South — and for a few weeks, the spectre of relegation lingered a little too close for comfort.
In addition to our weekend fixtures, we also competed in the midweek Parklife 11-a-side league — a vital part of the BSMS football calendar that offers regular competitive football under the floodlights. What makes Parklife particularly special is how we use it to support our buddying system: a structure where newer players are paired with more seasoned squad members to ease them into the team environment, both socially and tactically. This season, that approach paid off handsomely. Our performances were consistently strong, with solid organisation at the back, fluid midfield play, and a growing attacking threat. Parklife provided the perfect platform for freshers to gain experience and for the squad to experiment, adapt, and grow as a unit. It’s become more than just a midweek league — it’s a proving ground and an essential part of our identity as a team.
Credit where it’s due: the squad pulled together. Players grew into their roles. Minds became focused and our boys stepped up to put a shift in. And slowly but surely, performances stabilised. Results began to turn our way.
In the end, we comfortably avoided relegation — not because we cruised through the season, but because we earned every point with hard work and unity.
One of the real highlights of this year came off the back of a now-cherished tradition: the inter-year, inter-gender 6-a-side tournament. First established three years ago, this event has grown into a cornerstone of the BSMS sporting calendar and this year’s edition was the best yet. Players from all year groups, genders, and skill levels turned up in droves, showcasing the best of what BSMS sport can be: inclusive, competitive and fun. Every year group was represented handsomely, with the third years putting on a clinical performance and ultimately taking home the trophy. It was a day full of flair, laughs, and a real sense of community spirit - a reminder that football at BSMS is about so much more than league tables.
As ever, the BSMS Barmy Army were there through it all – a little less loud but loyal and unwavering. Whether in sideways rain or the warmth of a Brighton sunset, their support was constant and deeply appreciated. It’s that kind of culture — not just amongst the players, but among friends, medics and fans — that makes this club something worth protecting.
Looking ahead, while this season tested us, it also bonded us. We’ve laid the groundwork for a more stable, cohesive campaign next year — one where the current core of the squad can push on, and new arrivals can slot into something that already feels like home.
Final whistle on this season of survival. Of leadership without hierarchy. Of doing more with less. And through it all, we stayed true to what BSMS Football is about: loyalty, honesty, and the willingness to scrap for each other every Saturday. We didn’t just avoid relegation — we built a team that’s ready to rise.
With the season wrapped up, we rounded things off in fitting fashion by welcoming the Team GB Doctors XI to campus for a spirited pre-tournament fixture. Made up of some of the finest medics from across the UK, the squad were sharpening their game ahead of their World Cup campaign in Dublin this summer and we were more than happy to provide a test. June will also see the return of another much-loved fixture: the annual BSMS Students vs Doctors match. More than just a game, it’s a celebration we all have as medics who love the game."
Words by Kieran Chumun.