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After postponing his own 21^st birthday celebrations due to a self-imposed curfew on his team, Cambridge University Blues football captain Ben Adam is now hoping for a double celebration a week on.

When Ben walks on to the Abbey Stadium pitch on Sunday 13 March, leading Cambridge University into the Varsity match with Oxford, he knows what is at stake.

Ben has led Cambridge to the British Universities and Colleges Sport Midlands Division Two title and promotion to Midlands Division One. Cambridge and Oxford are likely to pass each other, as the Dark Blues appear set to be relegated from the top flight.

The Light Blues also reached the semi-final of the Midlands Conference Cup, so by any measure this has been a successful season.

But Ben, whose 21^st birthday was on March 6, knows how success is measured. And he hopes to have numerous reasons to celebrate when the week-long curfew on the Blues football team is lifted after the Varsity match.

“We’ve had a really good season,” he says.

“We’re the best Blues team we’ve had in four, five years. To lose Varsity would be a disservice to how good this team is; Varsity winners are remembered.”

Ben grew up in Oxford and played for Oxford City Under-18s, winning the County Cup. He is a talented central defender and arrived at Cambridge keen to play for the University.

“When I got here in my first session in pre-season with the Blues, I thought the level was pretty high, and my football’s come on hugely since I got to Cambridge,” he adds.

He combined playing for the University second XI with playing for Caius in his first year, but since breaking into the Blues squad has concentrated on the University side, which includes players from Fitzwilliam, Jesus, Downing, Pembroke, Christ’s and Girton.

As skipper, Ben leads on selection, alongside head coach Tom Blatch. He says: “It’s going to be a really tough selection this year. We’ve got a squad of 18 really talented players and you can only take 16 to Varsity. Only 14 can play; we’ll have two unused subs.

“It’s good we’ve got that much talent. It’s better to have these difficult decisions to make.”

Over 2,000 supporters are expected at Abbey Stadium in Cambridge for the match, which Ben expects to be competitive and says is difficult to predict.

“It’s a bit of a mystery until the day itself, which is exciting and makes it interesting,” he says.

Cambridge will enjoy an end of season tour to Malta following Varsity, and Ben, front row third from left, will then hope to continue into a fourth year on his course, and with the football team.

“It’s been the best part about being here. I’ve loved my degree and everything else, but what I’ve got the most out of is the football,” he adds.

“I love playing and your best friends end up being on that team. It’s the team culture. It’s always improved my mood and mental wellbeing and that kind of thing.”

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