On Saturday 4 May 2024, we unveiled our brand new Rickard Luckin football kits at this year's World Cup-on-Sea charity football tournament.

The team put in a solid performance in the group stages, securing a 2-0 victory over Cool Thing (music label) in the first game. The second game against Seven Two Seven (architects) was a tighter affair, but we come out 2-1 winners. Wrapping up the group stages, we clinched a 2-0 win against Fiscal FX (financial institution).

Topping the group with a perfect tally of 9 points, we advanced to face Segrave & Partners (accountants) in the round of 16. In a close encounter, we secured a 1-0 victory, taking us through to the quarter-finals against JMW Solicitors (law firm).

As fatigue set in and the games got tougher, the team continued to show great resilience. Trailing 1-0 to JMW Solicitors with minutes remaining, we levelled the score, and the game ended 1-1. The match then proceeded to a penalty shootout, where our goalkeeper made some crucial saves to help us advance to the semi-finals where we would face Affinity Mortgages (mortgage broker).

A similar story unfolded in the semi-final, we scored an early goal to go 1-0 up against Affinity Mortgages, before being pegged back to 1-1. With plenty of tired legs on the pitch, the team managed to see out a 1-1 draw and the game went to penalties once again. Heroics in goal and some well taken penalties saw us reach the final of World Cup-on-Sea for the first time, where we would play fellow accountants, UHY London.

Despite going into the final with a depleted squad due to injuries, the team displayed remarkable spirit. We conceded three quick goals against a strong team but managed to pull one goal back through an own goal. Despite having chances to mount a late comeback, the final score stood at 3-1 to UHY London.

A tremendous effort was displayed by all the Rickard Luckin players involved in the tournament. Reaching the final with only eight players from the round of 16 onwards, and persevering through injuries, is a fantastic achievement.

Through a combination of fundraising initiatives and generous donations, Rickard Luckin raised £1,193, contributing to the total of £44,774 raised for the World Cup-on-Sea event. These funds have been directed to Great Ormond Street Hospital to support the transformative care of seriously ill children.