===Introduction===
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The Armitage Shanks football tournament of 2005 is a football (soccer) competition that is played yearly at the grounds of the University of York due to a lack of funding and available space. Generally the matches are played 5 a side, but in the 2005 final, played on the 29th of May both sides (Newcastle Albion Wanderers and Gymru Norfolk Albion) played controversially with 3 players.

Competition History

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When the competition was formed in 1985 it was a poorly funded amateur tournament, and had little resemblance to the format that it holds today. Although the competition was largely dominated by Gymru Norfolk Albion, a team formed from mainly Welsh players but based in Cringleford, their success was brought to an end when Andy Small retired as their player/coach.
From that moment on the trophy has been up for grabs to many different amateur teams. The only team entered to have never won the Armitage Shanks football trophy, but finished runner up on three seperate occasions, was Rover Sports, but their new manager Peter Jones has suggested that "their time will come."

The Infamous 2005 Final

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Due to planning errors and mismanagement the only way a date and time could be agreed on by both teams for the 2005 closing fixture was 4:30 a.m, and as a result both sides played with diminished numbers. However, these contentious “mind games” as one official suggested, were all in good spirit and the game went along relatively normally until the latter stages.
In the first half Newcastle Albion Wanderers took an early lead, with Brazilian new comer Alexander Diego Romario Sensible (known simply as Sensibil) ran onto a through ball and slotted a placed shot past veteran goalkeeper Liam Scallion. However, Gymru Norfolk Albion quickly hit their opponents on the rebound, Nathan Evans rounding the keeper and coolly walking the ball into the empty net.

Both teams continued in a cat and mouse fashion through the second half, until Newcastle Albion Wanderers leveled the score at 10-10 in the dying seconds of the game. After this sensational strike from midfield playmaker, Laurie Ralfinio, the match was forced into a penalty shootout.
Controversy struck again, as Sensibil debatably moved the ball closer to the goal before slotting his spot kick away, and it was left to Nathan Evans to try and level the shootout to 1-1. However, despite the fact that Newcastle Albion Wanderers goalkeeper Karamdeep ‘Milosevic’ Sahota saved the driven penalty, a retake was ordered that was duly scored by the Welsh striker. After the next few penalties were all scored, the game and title rested upon the shoulders of goalkeeper Liam Scallion and controversy struck once again as he drove the ball left of the post to lose the game, which subsequently caused several fights to break out between the opposing players.

As a bloody and bruised Newcastle Albion Wanderers team kissed the Armitage Shank’s trophy to mark the 20th year since they last won, the Gymru Norfolk Albion players left early, showing disrespect to the worthy winners.
Referee at the match, Clive Taylor, commented that he enjoyed the match and the drama that came along with the sterling fight back.

Uncertain Future

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Next years competition has been called into question by local officials, who suggested that the competition is shrouded in problems and administrative concerns. A date for the start of the tournament has not been fixed.
University spokesman, Paul Jennings, has complained about the dawn timing of the event. Claiming that it is unpopular with university residents who get woken up by the rowdy nature of the players.
Tournament organiser Mike Edwards has even suggested moving the tournament from its traditional Heslington base. Edwards says that the participating teams are very busy and come from all over the country. Edwards says travel commitments led to the 4.30 am timing of the final and has apologised to local fans. Edwards believes a more rural venue would be more appropriate in the future, unless the university administrators can come up with a comprimise.

Past Winners

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1985 - Newcastle Albion Wanderers

1986 - Wolverhampton Dynamo

1987 - Brewery United

1988 - Coventry Bluesocks

1989 - Luton Allstars

1990 - Brewery United

1991 - Gymru Norfolk Albion

1992 - Gymru Norfolk Albion

1993 - Gymru Norfolk Albion

1994 - Gymru Norfolk Albion

1995 - N/A

1996 - Gymru Norfolk Albion

1997 - Wolverhampton Dynamo

1998 - Stark Rangers

1999 - Washington Wanderers

2000 - Spennymoor Athletic

2001 - Truro Celtic

2002 - Coventry Bluesocks

2003 - Stark Rangers

2004 - Gymru Norfolk Albion

2005 - Newcastle Albion Wanderers