of Design founded in 1843. The University of Nottingham was originally a constituent college of the University of London known as University College Nottingham, before being upgraded to full university status in 1948. Sport In British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competition, Nottingham University have always finished between fourth and ninth position since 2002–03, whereas Trent have finished between 17th and 43rd. The Varsity Series is not a part of BUCS competition. The University of Nottingham compete in green and gold for the Varsity Series, as they do in BUCS events, and Nottingham Trent University wear pink and blue. ice hockey is not a BUCS sport, so is not bound by the rules that the other sports are. As a consequence, the two universities ice hockey teams, which outside Varsity competition compete as a combined team as the Nottingham Mavericks, wore yellow and blue respectively until 2014, when the BUCS colours were worn. Early years It is unclear when the first varsity match was played or whether an organised series was contested in this period. 2001 Nottingham Trent University won the men's football contest on penalties after the match finished one apiece after extra time. 2002 In early March 2002, the University of Nottingham beat Nottingham Trent University 5–1 in the men's football match and 1–0 in the women's. 2003 The University of Nottingham retained the Varsity Football Cup with a 2–0 victory over Nottingham Trent University. Charity varsity 2004 2004 saw the University of Nottingham victorious in the football for the second consecutive year by a margin of two goals to none. This was the first year that the series was organised for the benefit of charity. The University of Nottingham secured a series victory. 2005 In 2005, Nottingham Trent University won the ice hockey match on penalties and the football match 1–0. This was the first time ice hockey had featured in the series, adding to the football, basketball, hockey, rugby and netball events. Trent won the women's rugby union event. The cricket was abandoned. Trent won the series. The men's 1st XI hockey match ended 2-2 with Ben Scott scoring a last minute equaliser from and Alastair Wilson pass. 2006 On 6 March 2006, the University of Nottingham secured victory in the football match, winning 2–0 for the third time in four years. 2007 2008 In 2008, Nottingham Trent University emerged victorious, winning seven events, drawing one