Success Stories From a 5 Aside Team

In this blog, I will be interviewing players and analysing performances from Glasgows 2023 Student League winners, the Mitchell 5s.  

Firstly, I will give a brief history of the Mitchell 5s before going into how they became incredibly successful within their respective league. Let me set the scene. October 2022. Naive, excited and inexperienced, The Mitchell 5s first graced the pristine pitches of Powerleague. With only 5 Players, their lack of exposure to such a game was apparent. Their debut season was acclaimed as a “massive learning curve” by their captain, leader, legend. Not only did this season show them the ropes, but also showed them what needed to be done if they wanted to succeed. Their debut season ultimately allowed them to gain invaluable experience and knowledge. Highlighting what worked and what did not.

Eagerly awaited, their next season came around. “2023, What a year” Reminisced from their star goalkeeper, Callum Stewart. That season, something clicked. Maybe it was the new players that were being signed in the summer, maybe the experience they now had or was it their infamous coaching staff? All you can say was that 2023 was a very special year for the Mitchell 5s. Winning the league really reflected their performances throughout the year. They developed into a 2015/16 Barcelona esc team, with emphasis on passing and moving. With people shouting from the sidelines, you guys are so artistic! I think that speaks volumes. The M5 managed to win 14 games out of 20, giving them a 70%-win rate in 2023. With well over 200 goals scored. On average, that season, their games were 12-9. Showing attacking dominance, however, also showing that defensively they could improve. That season was not only rewarding for the players, but also the staff. The staff often get overlooked. Although, they are indispensable, irreplaceable, and ultimately just the backbones of what is such a reputable club. That season really allowed certain players to blossom and become the players they are today. With help from about 25 players throughout the whole season, it shows that the Mitchell 5s is a club that depends on a lot of people. Showing that it is the people's club.
 

Now into 2024, still living off the high of 2023. The Mitchell 5s look to replicate what they managed in 2023. With a decent start to the season, adapting to new styles of play implemented by the managers, winning looks possible again. With a huge loss in the management office, this may take its toll on the players. Only time will tell. So, stay tuned, watch each week and support what is a very special club.  

To show you how special it is, we asked their followers, players and loyalists; What the club means to them? 

“Mitchell 5s means more to me than a 5 a side team. It has the core values of family, friendship and feminism. Nothing to me is more important than feminism but I would arguably see M5 as more important than family. Your parents get divorced, M5 is there. Your grandparent dies, M5 is there. Your girlfriend cheats on you, you get the idea. It is a constant in life and it is a club that I play for with pride. Balls in play, banter is in full flow and later on a beer is in hand. I will never take it for granted, to play for Mitchell 5s is an honour and a privilege.” Conor ’money’ Moore  

“We paint the pitch with sweat laughter and drive, forever cheering for the M5” Jonno Mitchell (Founder)  

“It gives me an escape from the real world” Lewis “do you know i DJ?” Happell  

“Seeing such a beautiful thing happen right before my eyes, makes me want to join in” Michael “Ibiza final boss” Latter  

“To me, M5 means more than just the football, it is that part of the week i look forward to, where I can leave all my other worries behind” Brady “meatball” Mullen  

“It is my life man, dont know where I would be without it! Gives me a reason to wake up!” Anonymous  

“Seeing all my friends having fun” Matthew Gornall