Simply Cup 2025: a game-changer on and off the pitch

The Simply Cup 2025, a thrilling 5-a-side charity football tournament, took place on Thursday, January 9, at Powerleague Battersea. Bringing together 30 teams from 27 businesses in the asset finance industry, the event was about more than just scoring goals—it was about making a difference. The tournament raised vital funds for Cancer Research UK (CRUK), supporting groundbreaking research and life-saving treatments.

A day of friendly rivalry and fundraising

The atmosphere was electric as teams battled it out on the pitch, showcasing their skills and competitive spirit. The event culminated in two nail-biting finals. Portman Finance Group emerged victorious, claiming the Simply Cup title by defeating Audeo in a hard-fought championship match. Meanwhile, the Plate Award, designed to give lower-ranked teams a chance to shine, went to Lendscape, who outperformed their competitors in this spirited category.

Off the pitch, attendees enjoyed additional fundraising activities, including a raffle and the highly anticipated crossbar challenge, sponsored by Cynergy Business Finance. David Drinkwater triumphed in the crossbar challenge, while the raffle prize went to David Stewart from Portman, rounding off a memorable day for the winners.

The power of community

The Simply Cup isn’t just about the games; it’s about uniting the asset finance community for a shared purpose. The event brought players, sponsors, and supporters together, fostering a sense of camaraderie while contributing to a cause that touches countless lives.

Mike Randall, CEO of Simply Asset Finance, summed up the event’s impact: “I am delighted about how the Simply Cup went, and humbled by the support of the industry. The day was full of great spirit and competition and raised substantial funds for Cancer Research, which is wonderful. It was also a pleasure to see that when you bring the industry together, great things can happen. We’re already looking forward to 2026 and to another exciting day next year. Thank you also to all our sponsors and donors, in particular Acquis, Lendscape, FIS, Cordoba Rewards, LGB & Co. and Cynergy Business Finance.”

Celebrating the champions   

The Simply Cup 2025 was fiercely contested, with the top two teams from each group advancing to knockout rounds. Portman Finance Group proved to be the best of the best, delivering a standout performance to secure the prestigious title.

Mark Ford, Team Manager for Portman, expressed his pride: “With so many strong teams competing, it was truly an honour to come away as winners. That said, the real champion of the day is Cancer Research—a vital charity that Simply has chosen to support. We’re proud to have contributed to raising awareness for such an important cause and look forward to defending our title next year.”

 Lendscape triumphed at the 2025 Simply Cup securing the Plate in the competition. Steve Taplin, Managing Director of Lendscape, remarked: “Winning the Plate at this year’s Simply Cup was a proud moment for our ‘experienced’ Lendscape team, but the real achievement was seeing the asset finance community come together to support Cancer Research UK.

“The Simply Cup is a great reminder of how collaboration and camaraderie can create meaningful impact. A huge thank you to Simply Asset Finance for organising another fantastic event, and congratulations to all the teams who took part.”

 Looking ahead

The Simply Cup 2025 would not have been possible without the generous support of its headline sponsor, Acquis, and Cynergy Business Finance, sponsor of the crossbar challenge. Additional thanks go to the sponsors of the two Leasing Lionesses teams: Lendscape, FIS, Cordoba Rewards, and LGB & Co. 

And there’s still time to contribute to the vital work of Cancer Research UK. Help push the tournament toward its ambitious fundraising goal by visiting the official Simply Cup donation page at https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/the-simply-cup-2025.

As the dust settles on this year’s tournament, the Simply Cup’s legacy of competition, community, and compassion continues to grow. Here’s to an even bigger and better event in 2026!