The Fenix Trophy: Europe's best non-professional tournament

Words: Tom Reed

Images: Mike Bayly

It is common knowledge that to find an authentic slice of football in most countries you have to go to the lower leagues.

There you can find clubs that are relatively shielded from the ultra-commercial sport, among supporters that are there for the game rather than the glory.

The payoff, particularly at clubs which are not fully-professional, is that the competition is almost exclusively rooted in one country, sometimes regionalised and fans look on enviously at clubs in European competitions that get to travel to take on the best in the Continent.

Step forward the Fenix Trophy, which in 2022/23 has given nine, unique, non-professional clubs from across Europe the chance to compete against each other in a transnational tournament.

©Mike Bayly/ Terrace Edition. FC United Of Manchester vs BK Skjold.

Not only that but the finals took place in two of the most imposing stadia in world football; Milan’s Arena Civica and the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, more commonly known as the San Siro.

The chance to play at San Siro’s “heaven in concrete” meant that competition was fierce between the four teams making it to Finals Weekend in the glamorous Northern Italian city.

The four clubs that made it to Italy after the group stages were FC United of Manchester from England, Prague Raptors from the Czech Republic, Denmark’s BK Skjold, while Brera FC had home advantage, hailing from Milan itself and tournament organisers.

Arena Civica was the stunning backdrop to the Semi-Finals day on Wednesday, a historic ground that has played host to both of Milan’s “big two” in AC Milan and Inter.

©Mike Bayly/ Terrace Edition. FC United of Manchester fans at Arena Civica.

Inspired by the Circo Massimo in Rome, the Arena was built at the request of Napoleon Bonaparte and opened in 1807, giving Milan the grand sports venue it needed.

If any of the players gracing the turf for the Fenix Trophy semis were overawed by the experience they’d didn’t show it with Copenhagen based FK Skjold having to put three past FCUM to beat them in a thrilling 2-3 victory.

A good natured and diverse crowd were also treated to 0-2 win for Prague Raptors over Brera FC, proving that it wasn’t only the Nations League Final that could show the best of Czech capital sport.

The vibe was relaxed, positive and showcased a refreshing alternative to elite football, where collectivism and fan empowerment brought people together through football.

©Mike Bayly/ Terrace Edition. Brera FC vs FC United of Manchester.

That spirit continued on to Finals Day at San Siro with the players offered the once in a lifetime chance to contest a European final at the venue which has almost taken on the role of a modern day cathedral for those that worship at the alter of football.

Even though there was a delay to proceedings, fans waited patiently to gain access to the stadium that has featured many of the world greats.

It was Matt Van Wyk, the pacy striker who can tell his family that he scored at the San Siro for FC United of Manchester with a headed goal in the Third and Fourth Placed Playoff.

Making Friends Not Millionaires has been the FCUM tagline for years and the tournament have borrowed the mantra of some things being more important than money.

The fan-owned Manchester club made plenty of pals as they went on to win 1-0, to seal third.

BK Skjold of Denmark looked a technical unit from the start and headed into the final against Prague Raptors looking to run rings around their opponents like the spiral staircases of the San Siro.

It was no surprise that the Danish team put in such a strong showing with the cultured Copenhagen side having a great youth development system that produced the likes of Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Yussuf Poulsen.

In the end, Skjold proved the best team in the competition with a comprehensive 3-0 victory but it is no cliché to suggest that the tournament was the real winner.

Although they didn’t take the trophy, Prague Raptors, for instance, got to share their message of being a non-profit club that promotes diversity and inclusion. The Czech outfit have players and staff from over 50 nationalities, have mens and women's teams and are managed by ex-Luton Town player Kim Grant.

These are the stories that makes the Fenix Trophy such an engaging competition.

Taking place just a few days before the Champions League final, the Fenix Trophy shows that although the big money game is here to stay, there is an alternative which has links to football’s corinthian origins.

Crossing borders and building bridges between clubs, players and fans, the Fenix Trophy is being talked about as Europe’s best non-professional tournament and looks set to grow for 2023-24.