“Still Surrey till we die” The power of GradSport and the legacy of UniS Old Boys FC

But beyond the scoreboard, GradSport is about something more enduring: friendships, memories, and the alumni who help keep those traditions alive. Few people capture that spirit more than Paul Cliff (BSc Biochemistry with Toxicology, 1996; MSc Toxicology, 1997; Executive MBA, 2019), long-time GradSport volunteer and Life President of the legendary UniS Old Boys FC.

“There’s always a moment where I look around after the match and think, ‘Look at this. There’s 30 of us here, and hundreds of other people we went to uni with, celebrating with current students,’” says Paul. “It’s just that sense of where I belong. It’s my tribe.”

Football first – and forever

UniS Old Boys FC traces its roots back to 1989, and to Paul’s own Surrey story in the ‘90s. “When I interviewed for my place at Surrey, Professor Gordon Gibson was very tongue-in-cheek and said I could only come to the University if I played football for the staff and student team on Sundays,” Paul recalls. “So as well as playing for the University on Saturdays, I played for the University Strollers on Sundays. It became a big part of my life here.”

After graduating, Paul didn’t stray far from Guildford, later helping build a formal alumni football team. “In ’99, we formed UniS Old Boys. It was all the same people who had been playing in the GIs – the Graduates and Industrial year teams – and who had worked so hard to get promoted to the intermediate league in ‘97,” he explains. “At one point we had three sides, 40-odd graduates turning up at the Varsity to play every Saturday. It was huge.”

Even though the formal club stepped back from league football in 2016, the annual alumni vs students match – the original spirit of GradSport – remains strong. “We’ve been playing every year since 1989, with the exception of COVID,” Paul says. “We did this for 20 years before GradSport was even conceived.”

Volunteering to stay connected

Paul’s ongoing involvement with Surrey hasn’t been limited to football. As a coach and mentor, Paul runs his own Executive Coaching and HR Consultancy, North Face Consulting, and volunteers his time to support students and fellow alumni alike. “I just get a tremendous sense of satisfaction from it,” he says. “Fundamentally I want to give them the opportunities that Surrey created for me, and to make sure they can maximise those.”

Each year, Paul rallies the UniS Old Boys squad for GradSport, managing fixtures, gathering players, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. “There’s some self-interest, I suppose,” he laughs. “I’ve become the one that organises stuff, to make sure it happens so we don’t lose that connection.”

It’s a role he takes seriously – not just for the football, but for the friendships. “My best man was my vice-chair when I was chair of the football club and is also godfather to my eldest son. Another of the Old Boys is my youngest son’s godfather and one of my biggest clients,” Paul says. “These are friends for life. That’s what makes the Old Boys so special.”

Giving back year-round

GradSport also makes a difference beyond the pitch. Through The Forever Surrey Fund, £2 from every alumni ticket goes directly towards supporting student sports clubs and societies – helping them grow, thrive, and improve. Thanks to this support, a scoreboard is now being installed for the Rugby Club, and Surrey’s Taekwondo team recently received Olympic-grade scoring equipment.

“Everyone has a fantastic time at University,” Paul says. “But it’s that tipping point – continuing those friendships into the first couple of years after graduation – that makes a real difference. Most people lose touch after a year or two. But we’ve kept that cadence of connection alive.”

From spontaneous local reunions to an annual golf trip for the last 20 years, the network around UniS Old Boys continues to grow. “We’ve got a WhatsApp group for catching up for beers and golf. And then suddenly in February, someone says, ‘When’s GradSport this year?’” Paul laughs. “Then all the chat starts – ‘I’ll have to start running now,’ ‘I’ll dust off my boots.’ It gets us all back in that cycle.”

More than just a match

Paul’s favourite GradSport memory? “When we beat Team Surrey – because it’s such a surprise to them usually,” he smiles. “But there was one year, I think it was the first time they introduced the GradSport trophy, and it coincided with FA Cup Final Day. Everyone stayed, the bar was packed to the rafters. I got loads of abuse for lifting the trophy by my lot – which is just standard banter, but it was just a lovely day. The weather was fantastic. If I could bottle that memory to convince people to come back, that’s what I’d use.”

From spontaneous local reunions to an annual golf trip for the last 20 years, the network around UniS Old Boys continues to grow. “We’ve got a WhatsApp group for catching up for beers and golf. And then suddenly in February, someone says, ‘When’s GradSport this year?’” Paul laughs. “Then all the chat starts – ‘I’ll have to start running now,’ ‘I’ll dust off my boots.’ It gets us all back in that cycle.”

More than just a match

Paul’s favourite GradSport memory? “When we beat Team Surrey – because it’s such a surprise to them usually,” he smiles. “But there was one year, I think it was the first time they introduced the GradSport trophy, and it coincided with FA Cup Final Day. Everyone stayed, the bar was packed to the rafters. I got loads of abuse for lifting the trophy by my lot – which is just standard banter, but it was just a lovely day. The weather was fantastic. If I could bottle that memory to convince people to come back, that’s what I’d use.”

And the connections go well beyond campus. “My brother-in-law lives in Australia now, and I was arranging to meet up with two guys in Sydney who used to play for us – and they said, ‘Have you got in touch with Goddo?’ (Old Boys’ Paul Godson). Turns out he was playing for a team called Coogee United, just around the corner from Bondi, which had half a dozen players from UniS Old Boys FC over the years. The other side of the world, and they had come together again.”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

For Paul, it’s clear why more alumni should get involved – whether through GradSport, volunteering, or mentoring. “Why wouldn’t you?” he says. “There are so many potential benefits. Introductions and referrals are the key to any business, and if people are looking for new opportunities, why not go to the place where you’ve already got relationships?”

“It’s brilliant. It reminds you of all the things you enjoyed about being at uni, the memories and relationships that have been built from it,” he says. “I’m 51 next month. Uni was just four years – but it’s been a touchstone for the rest of my life.”

Support the next generation

Support. Empower. Inspire.

The Forever Surrey Fund helps today’s students go further – on and off the field. 

Your GradSport ticket helps – £2 from every alumni registration supports student-led projects that enhance clubs, societies, and the student experience.

Recent impact includes:

• A brand-new scoreboard for Surrey Rugby Club 
• Olympic-grade scoring equipment for the Taekwondo team

You can give even more. Whether it’s a one-off donation or setting up a regular gift, every pound makes a difference. Learn more and donate.

GradSport Returns Saturday, 9 May – Grab your tickets now!

Get ready to reunite, compete and celebrate as Team Alumni takes on Team Surrey once again. Whether you’re playing, cheering or catching up with old teammates, GradSport is your chance to relive the best of Surrey sport – and make new memories too.

Mark your calendar. Rally your team. We’ll see you back on campus.