Andy Devaney
If sport is theatre, then the Reignwood Icons of Football served up a full West End production—complete with late drama, plot twists, and a last-hole dagger that had knuckles whitening across living rooms worldwide. Team England have officially retained the Icons Series Trophy, squeezing past a stubborn Team World outfit 20-19 after an afternoon of singles that felt like trying to thread a needle while someone yells your life story through a megaphone.
The putt that turned back the clock (and a few knees)
Just when it looked like momentum was wobbling like jelly on a bumpy trolley, Lee Sharpe rolled back the years—possibly the hamstrings too—by draining a clutch winning putt on the final hole to beat Andriy Shevchenko. Sharpe described the moment as “probably the best moment of my life,” as his point proved to be the decider that pushed England over the finish line.
That’s the thing with these Icons events: you can play solid for hours, then one putt turns the whole weekend into a highlight reel.
England’s supporting cast delivers under pressure
Sharpe may have taken the final bow, but this wasn’t a one-man show. England’s defence against the late Team World surge was built on critical singles wins from Phil Jones, Phil Jagielka, Joe Hart, and Jermain Jenas—the kind of points you don’t fully appreciate until the scoreboard starts doing cartwheels.
Team World, revamped and roaring, launched a fightback to erase an earlier deficit, throwing everything at England in the closing stages. But England’s earlier-session consistency—boring in the moment, priceless in the ending—gave them just enough breathing room to survive the final charge.
BALE vs BULLARD: the fan-voted bout that refused to pick a winner
BALE Vs BULLARD ENDS IN DRAW
The weekend’s most anticipated head-to-head—voted for by fans worldwide—had the feel of a heavyweight title fight, only with more polos and fewer right hooks. Jimmy Bullard and Gareth Bale finished in a dramatic draw, with Bale showing real grit to claw back from 4 down to rescue a half-point.
It left everyone asking the only sensible question after any sporting stalemate: rematch anyone?
Why the Icons Series keeps pulling us in
The tournament concluded in front of a global audience, broadcast around the world, underlining the not-so-secret sauce of the Icons Series: high-stakes, lean-forward entertainment that blurs the line between sport and spectacle—without losing the competitive bite.
And when legends from clubs like Manchester United are still producing last-hole heroics, you don’t need a scriptwriter. The sport does it for you.
Where to watch more
Watch all the highlights and behind-the-scenes action across the Icons Series social channels.
FAQ
Who won the 2026 Reignwood Icons of Football?
Team England retained the Icons Series Trophy with a 20-19 win over Team World.
What was the winning moment?
Lee Sharpe’s winning putt on the final hole, which sealed the deciding point.
Did Bale vs Bullard have a winner?
No—Gareth Bale battled back from 4 Down to earn a draw and a shared point.
