It's Just Like Watching Brazil
29 Jun 2006

Newcastle IJLW Brazil's original incarnation was as a five a-side team. Formed by Dave Churchley to compete in the Henderson Hall five a-side tournament in 1998, the team was called It's Just Like Watching Brazil (thanks to Kev Justice). Later the same year, the team expanded to seven a-side before making the transition to 11 a-side football when they joined the Newcastle University Intra Mural League, still going under the name of It's Just Like Watching Brazil.

After four seasons of Intra Mural football (including promotion, relegation and a penalty shootout defeat in a cup semi-final), it was time for the club to progress. A committee was formed (consisting of Dave Churchley, Paul Belcher, Mark Harrison and Alistair Andrew), the club changed their name, obtained a couple of sponsors (including The Northumberland Hussar public house, in Heaton) and joined the Tyneside Amateur League.

The first piece of silverware was picked up at the end of the 2004/05 season when Newcastle IJLW Brazil shared the GBH Eltringham Trophy fair play award with Cramlington Town Reserves. The 2005/06 trophy was won outright by Brazil, without a single card received all season.