CSSC Football Conference

On the 17 & 18 January, CSSC held its first Football Organisers' Conference at Manchester United's home ground, Old Trafford.

Football organisers, Departmental representatives and Area representatives were brought together to discuss issues pertinent to Football within CSSC. A number of significant issues were addressed, including current practice, promotional activity, competition formats and the future of Civil Service Football across all strands.

The Lewis Cup (Men's 11-a-side) Competition was one of the key discussion points of this Conference. The Lewis Cup had been suspended for the 2009/2010 season, due to only 12 teams taking part in the previous season. The competition's current format, new formats for the future and possible ways of attracting new teams were all actively discussed.

Other items on the agenda included ways of enhancing participation in Regional men's 5-a-side football events and also looking at masters, representative and women's football – a key area of development.

Following the conclusion of the Conference, all of the delegates were taken on a stadium tour and had the opportunity to walk down the tunnel, sit in the manager’s seat in the dug-out and take in the surroundings of the impressive Old Trafford.

Tom Banks (GCSLA) and Paul Hayden (Land Registry) also had an opportunity to have a picture with Manchester United Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Conference proved very worthwhile with plenty of positive feedback and new ideas coming forward.