You can never truly grasp the importance of College football until you play it. As a Fresher at Fitzwilliam College, I’d heard rumours of the footballing prowess and the history. But it’s only when you turn up for that first trial that you realise just what playing for the firsts really means.

Finding yourself surrounded by thirty other keen trialists, a sudden realisation hits that you’ve woefully underestimated the standard of football. Perhaps they were right about Fitzwilliam including footballing ability in the admissions process. This is no Sunday league kick about against the other prawn sandwich brigade colleges. This, of course, is the be-all and end-all.

After a summer of very little strenuous activity, being thrown into a small-sided game that claimed to be merely a ‘kickabout’ when in reality you knew it was so much more, really does take its toll.

Staggering up and down the left wing, cramp in both your calves and a deep sense of regret for drinking one too many pints the night before, dreams of first team football seemed to evaporate into a cloud of beer-breath and sweat.

However, all was not lost – something I did must have impressed. There are four Fitz Freshers who have so far made the grade for this year’s campaign, including myself, with others potentially to come through.

One of the first things you notice is the sense of belonging that seems to define every aspect about college life at Cambridge. It’s no exaggeration to say that there isn’t a greater sense of pride out there than pulling on your college shirt for the first time.

Added to that is the weight of an esteemed past. Fitzwilliam truly does have a terrific footballing history. Undoubtedly, it is the greatest footballing college that the University of Cambridge has ever seen. Naturally, therefore, making the cut for the first team is an honour.

Very quickly you begin to pick up and share the aversions and rivalries, feeling the pain and the deep-rooted sense of injustice over Churchill’s fluky double cup elimination of two Fitz sides last season. That, of course, and the general dislike for St John’s.

It’s never easy joining a new team, but luckily at Fitzwilliam there is no ridiculous initiation ceremony (as far as I’m aware of – I hope this remains the case). It’s straight down to business and putting in the hard graft on the training field, combining UEFA Coaching standard drills with endless penalty shootouts and before too long names match faces and it’s as though you’ve always known your teammates.

Squad harmony is always of the utmost importance in any team, and it is something that seems to have already been achieved at Fitz. As our College Captain Carl Plane told me, everyone “settled into college football very well” and show “great enthusiasm, both on and off the pitch, working hard in training and getting to know the rest of the squad off the field as well.

“Bearing in mind the hectic schedule of a Cambridge [undergraduate], I am delighted with the commitment of the [f]reshers so far and hope we can reward them by winning some silverware.”

As a fresher, besides the warm welcome that is extended, one of the most advantageous parts of joining any college team is the chance to meet and get to know other students from different years. The college quickly becomes a much smaller place, and your teammates are always on hand to offer advice, even if it is just explaining why you should always pass the ball to them.

Playing football is also a great way to get away from your studies. The Cambridge workload hits you thick and fast and can be overwhelming for any first year, especially when coupled with all that is new about University life, such as simply living away from home. College football, from Firsts to Thirds, is an effective way to relax and focus your mind elsewhere.

But let’s not forget, the most important thing is what happens on the pitch. The pleasantries are put to one side; victory is what matters. Walking out on a surface that would not look out of place at the Emirates, college football becomes very real. Fast, intense and full of passion, the games live up to their preseason billing. You can only dream of what Cuppers must be like.

After an indifferent beginning on the pitch for Fitzwilliam this year, life as part of the college team has at least gotten off to a better start. It has helped me to settle in very quickly and feel part of the college. Besides, who has time for Week 5 blues? I’ve got a game to prepare for!