In May, our Football Industries MBA (FIMBA) and Sports Business and Management MSc students graced the turf at Prenton Park for the third annual ‘MBA v Masters’ friendly match as part of the School’s Enhancement Week.
The historic home of Tranmere Rovers was a fitting venue for a good-natured yet competitive contest between the sides which ended in a penalty shootout win for the MBA XI.
The early stages were one-sided, with the master’s team racing into an early 2-0 lead, but after conceding free kicks in dangerous areas, FIMBA struck back twice in front of the Kop end, tying the match before the break.
The second half saw chances at both ends, before the master’s outfit retook the lead 15 minutes from time, as they closed in on their first trophy win.
However, there was to be a final twist in the dying seconds of added time, as a near post header crept in to earn FIMBA an unlikely equaliser.
That was the last action of an eventful game that would be decided by the pressure of spot kicks.
As the tension ramped up, FIMBA carried their momentum into the shootout, scoring four of their penalties and conceding just one, to lift the trophy for a third consecutive year.
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Afterwards, students and staff from both programmes put aside their rivalry as part of a celebration in the Tranmere Rovers boardroom.
“This was a fantastic event that brought together our FIMBA and Sports Business and Management MSc students as part of our commitment to the student Enhancement Week,” said Centre for Sports Business Director, Professor Geoff Walters.
“Thanks to Tranmere Rovers Football Club for supporting us with this event that added to the students’ educational experience over this last year in the Management School”.
The ‘MBA v Masters’ friendly match is one of the activities organised as part of the School's Enhance Programme, an innovative addition to our master’s careers and personal development offering.
It includes three dedicated weeks per year, packed with workshops and events to boost employability, and other leisure activities for students to engage with peers from other programmes and have fun outside the classroom.