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FJN Cup 2025

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Friday 4th April saw the annual FJN Cup hosted at Horsham FC.  This was our 6th game in aid of our charity partner Wolfram UK.  The sun shone, the beer flowed and we were treated to another classic on the pitch!

36 players, representing 20 different companies from the insurance industry, all played their part in an 11 goal thriller that had something for everyone! 

Team Stu were first out of the changing rooms and were looking a well-oiled machine in the warm-up, as they looked to hold on to the trophy that they won last year.  Stu was not ready to relinquish his firm grip on the Cup and clearly wanted to maintain bragging rights in the office for another year.  Team Kai were busy going through Dan’s play list in the Home changing room and getting psyched up for the 90 minutes ahead.  The stage was set for a classic…..

The line ups consisted of new players making their FJN debuts and the likes of Steve Barber, Richard Grover, Dan Woods, Ric Mustard and, of course Stu, keeping up there 100% attendance record.    

Despite looking good in the warm up, Team Stu were blown away by the free flowing attacking football of Team Kai and soon found themselves 1-0 after debutant Cosimo Edwards finished a fine move to put Team Kai into an early lead.  Just before the mid point of the first half, Steve Thomson bravely launched a diving header home following a pin point cross from Billy Warner to put Team Kai 2 up. 

By this point Team Kai were looking comfortable and Team Stu could not lay a glove on them.  This was compounded further when debutant Ciaran Moores coolly slotted home to make it 3-0 before sponsor, legend and all round nice bloke, Owain Thomas banged in an ‘absolute screamer’ to make it 4-0 at the break!  Surely an unassailable lead????

Stu seemingly delivered a rousing half time team talk and his team came out with all guns blazing.  Stu managed to get his own team back in the match when he finished off a marauding run from just inside the opposing half.  Could this be the catalyst for a change in fortunes??   No, it couldn’t – 2 minutes later and it was 5-1 after an unfortunate own goal (the scorer of the own goal will remain unnamed….).

5-1 was surely too much and the contest was now over…..?

Team Stu had not read that script and fought back gallantly with three quick fire goals from Juan Pena Nunez and another debutant, Thomas Johnston (TC).  The score was now 5-4 and the two benches were exchanging a lot of good nature banter as it looked as though Team Kai might well snatch defeat from the jaws of victory…

As we approached the last 15 minutes Team Kai regained the initiative with a trade mark towering header from Nick ‘Shearer’ Hale as he buried the ball into Ricky Kerbey’s net.  Tom Chisman then added a 7th and final goal as the game finished 7-4 to Team Kai. 

So, Kai picks up the trophy and has bragging rights for the rest of 2025 at FJN.  Player of the match for each team was judged by Paul Firkins and Rob Upton and deservedly went to two debutants who both put in stellar performances on their maiden voyages in the FJN Cup!  Ciaran Moores of Centricity and TC of BUPA picking up the champers for their performances. 

Huge thanks to H&P for sponsoring, Horsham FC for their hospitality, Simon Roe for the amazing pics, Simon Faires for officiating again and also to Monte Forte for the evening entertainment!

Last of all, thanks to Stu, Amy and Kai for making it all happen!

FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE

 

FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE
FJN Charity Match – at Fusion Aviation Stadium, Horsham – 020425 – MANDATORY CREDIT: Simon Roe Photography NO UNPAID USE

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