A visit to Qatar included a visit to Al Bidda Towers where the squad learnt about the successful 2022 World Cup bid. Coaching also continued at the internationally acclaimed Evo Sports Qatar Sports Academy. The second match of the tour resulted in a 5-0 victory versus Al Khor at the Qatar Womens Sports Club.

Part three of the tour reached Bahrain where inspirational coaching sessions were held at St Christophers’ School and the Ibn Khuldoon National School.

Prior to the third match versus the Bahrain National Team the squad met the Head of Girls football in Bahrain, Shaika Al Khalifa. In a match that was streamed back to the UK for viewing purposes Army Women recorded a superb 2-1 victory versus the Bahrain National Team.

The final stages of the tour will incorporate visits to the United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi); the squad have just arrived.

Forces TV coverage:

http://www.forces.net/sport/army-women-footballers-jet-groundbreaking-middle-east-tour

In addition to the Womens team Capt Jimmy Blair (Coldstream Guards) and Sgt Lee Barry (Mercian) are also in Bahrain as part of the Defence Engagement where they have been working in schools and villages.

Aldershot Town FC- Remembrance Match v AFC Fylde

Vanarama National League side Aldershot Town, who have just started to use the training facilities on the Garrison, are hosting AFC Fylde on Saturday 11^th November in a match devoted to Armistice Day. The club have issued 300 free tickets to the Garrison as part of the “Seats For Soldiers” initiative. In addition the Aldershot branch of the Royal British Legion will make a collection for the 2017 Poppy Appeal. Dignitaries from the Armed Forces, local community leaders, councillors and politicians plus standard bearers and members of local Cadet Forces will form a Guard of Honour for the two teams and act as ball boys. “Aldershot Town are a major partner in the Garrison’s community work, and our relationship continues to grow stronger,” explained Garrison Commander, Col Nigel MacGregor. “We are hugely grateful for their annual support of the Poppy Appeal and commitment to the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant, and these free tickets are a fantastic gesture from the Club and its sponsors.” Aldershot Town particularly wish to remember the centenary of the Third Battle of Ypres- better known as Passchendaele- which was fought from 31 July to 10 November 1917. 14 of the 44 British Divisions which fought there were either raised or trained in Aldershot, with 39 residents of Aldershot and Farnborough losing their lives amongst a total number of casualties which reached 438,000 across both sides.

Oxford United Military Day

English Football League One side Oxford United became the latest club to sign the Armed Forces Covenant at a designated “Military Day” match. The covenant was signed at half time at the recent match versus Rotherham United by Brigadier Matt Bazeley in front of 7,471 spectators. Brigadier Bazeley said “There’s a massive military community in Oxfordshire and the covenant means that the club will look favourably on service personnel.”  The club will offer discounted tickets to troops and support the employment of service spouses and partners and link with local cadet units in the community and in schools. 

Stoke City Military Match

FA Premier League side Stoke City have announced that their fixture versus Leicester City on Saturday 4^th November (1230hrs) will be a “Military Match Day”.The aim of the day is to increase recognition and awareness of the Regular and Reserve Forces in the Staffordshire area. Plenty of local units including 11 Signal and WM Bde, A Det 202 FH, 1 Mercian, D Coy 4 Mercian, 159 RLC, 16 Signal Regt, RAF Shawbury and Staffordshire ACF will be involved. 

Soldiers’ Game Magazine

The 2017 Soldiers’ Game Magazine is now available and includes a review of 2016/17, Bosnian Tour, Awards Evening, Roadshow, Army Masters and Community engagement.

Please contact carol.williamson@Armyfa.com if you would like a copy and are not on our mailing list.

REPRESENTATIVE

UK Armed Forces

Congratulations to the UK Armed Forces on retaining the prestigious Kentish Cup, the oldest international cup competition in Europe last week during the five day tournament in Portsmouth.   Seven Army players started both matches as the French Armed Forces were defeated 2-1 before a hard fought 1-1 draw secured the trophy versus the Netherlands.

Eight Army players were in the selected squads: LCpl Luke Cairney (3 RSME), Pte Josh Hughes (7 RLC), LCpl Rob Farkins (1 Signal Regt) (captain), LCpl Ryan Paddock (22 Signal Regt), LCpl Peter Williams (1 Signal Regt), LCpl Dan Stoneman (3 RSME), Cpl Callum Wilkinson (7 RLC), Sig Luke Noble (30 Signal Regt).

Forces TV coverage:

http://www.forces.net/sport/massive-inspiration-uk-forces-footballers-ahead-france-clash

http://www.forces.net/sport/kentish-cup-uk-forces-footballers-winning-start-after-france-win

http://www.forces.net/sport/uk-forces-footballers-take-kentish-cup-third-year-row

Men

Army Men recently held a training camp in Gibraltar. During the course of the week they played the most successful team in Gibraltar, Lincoln Red Imps, from the Premier Division. A 1-1 draw was secured.

The Army Men have been drawn away at Amateur FA in the Southern Counties Cup. This match will be played on Wednesday 1^st November at Bostik Isthmian League Corinthian Casuals FC (Surbiton KT6 7NA. The Army are currently holders of the competition having beaten the same opposition in last seasons final.

The draw for the Aldershot and District FA Senior Cup has also been drawn. The Army, who last season reached the semi-final, will travel to Combined Counties League Godalming Town for their second round tie having received a bye in the first round. The match must be played by the end of December.

Women

In addition to their busy Defence Engagement Tour of The Gulf the women will embark on attempting to retain the Southern Counties Cup next month. The first match will be versus Middlesex on Wednesday 29^th November. Kick off will be 1930hrs at a venue to be confirmed.

The Womens trials week is between 13^th and 16^th November in Aldershot and there are two trial matches on the evening of Wednesday 15^th and Thursday 16^th. The opposition are still to be confirmed but likely to be Portsmouth and Brighton and Hove Albion.

U23

ARMY U23 DEVELOPMENT WEEK 2-6 OCTOBER 2017

Update from Head Coach- Capt Paul Dale

“The Army Development week was a resounding success; sixteen new faces added to the playing squad, a warm welcome to Stu Bown, Gaz Adamson, Lee Barry and Sean Birchnall who joined Levi Scarlett and me on the coaching team and two competitive fixture to test ourselves in.

Setting the scene on how we play in the Football Development Centre before taking the theory onto the pitch helped the lads understand what is required from them and contributed to the cohesion both on and off the pitch.

The first fixture was a physical encounter against ATC Pirbright, a good first test for the aspiring youngsters. The game would end 5-2 (the frame of the goal saving the visitors on five occasions) to the U23s with goals from LCpl Humphries (AGC), ATpr Roberts (AAC), Pte Martin (RLC), ATpr Shaw (AAC) and Gnr Barnes (RA). 

In game two the youngsters continued the winning start with a 3-2 win over the United Hospitals London. A highly competitive game saw the Army U23 race to a 3-0 lead with goals from Spr Goulden (RE), Gnr Barnes (RA) and LCpl Humphries (AGC) by half time. The Army youngsters were up for the fight, matching their opponents in the physical battle early on in the first half, some good composed football helped create a number of chances and helping control the game through the half.

The second period proved a sterner test for the U23s, the opposition pressed higher to stop the first ball coming from the back line. This unsettled the boys resulting in a scrappier second half. The Hospitals rallied to the end scoring a late penalty to make the score line tighter than the game suggested. This should be considered a permanent fixture for the U23s; it offers a great test physically for a young team and allows deeper links to be created through sport.”    

The next match for the Under 23’s is Wednesday 8^th November versus Fleet Town at the Aldershot Military Stadium (Kick off is 1930hrs).

Paul Dale

Congratulations to Capt Paul Dale (RAMC). The Army Under 23 Head Coach has recently been appointed as Lead Coach for the Pro Development phase for Aldershot Town FC Under 19s.

Crusaders

The next Crusaders fixture is at the Aldershot Military Stadium on Monday 30^th October versus RAF Icarus (1700hrs).

Crusaders Vets

The Crusaders Vets are due to play RAF Icarus on Sunday 5^th November at RMA Sandhurst (1315hrs).

UNIT FOOTBALL

Army FA Super Cup

1 Yorkshire Regiment won the 2017 Army FA Super Cup Final defeating 154 (Scottish) Regiment 8-0 at the Aldershot Military Stadium, earlier this month. It was their third major title. The match is competed for by the winners of the previous seasons Challenge and Reserve Cups.

Forces TVcoverage: http://www.forces.net/sport/yorkshire-terriers-regulars-hammer-reservists-army-super-cup-final

Army FA Challenge Cup Draw

The second round draw for the 2017/18 Army FA Challenge Cup is:

1 RRF v 1 COLDM Gds, 12 Regt RA/27 Regt RLC v 1 Regt RLC, 32 Regt RA/6 Cs Bn REME v 1 Yorks, 1 Bn Gren Gds/26 Engr Regt v 22 Engr Regt, 3 Sig Regt/5 Fs Bn REME v ATC Pirbright, 10 Sig Regt/9 Regt RLC v 8 Bn REME, Household Cavalry Regt/HCMR v 19 Regt RA, 2 R Anglian v 5 Rifles, 1 R Anglian/1 Scots Gds v 2 PWRR, 4 Rifles/17 Port and Maritime v 14 Sig Regt, 1 RHA/1 RSME v Royal Tank Regiment, 3 RSME/1 Mercian v 16 Regt RA, 21 Signal Regt (AS)/1 Bn Welsh Gds v 11 Signal Regt, 4 CS Bn REME /4 Regt RLC v 1 R Irish, 14 Regt RA/1 Royal Welsh v 1 Rifles, 30 Sig Regt/2 PARA v 22 Signal Regt, 1 Sig Regt v 7 Regt RLC, Light Dragoons/Wimbish St v 23 PARA Engr Regt, 16 Signal Regt v Chilwell St, St Georges Bks v 2 Mercian, 4 Scots/7 Sp Bn REME v 13 Air Asslt Sp Regt RLC, 2 LANCS/5 Regt RA v 42 Engr Regt, Royal Lancers/2 Sig Regt v 3 Regt AAC, 21 Engr Regt/Royal Dragoon Gds v 1 Regt AAC, 32 Engr Regt/6 Regt RLC v 1 Cs Bn REME, 3 Rifles/39 Engr Regt v 3 RHA, 3 Scots v ITC Catterick, 1 Scots/2Rifles v 4 Regt RA, 3 Bn REME v 2 Yorks, 26 Regt RA/35 Engr Regt v 2 Cs Bn REME, 1 PWRR/Queens Royal Hussars v TBC

Ties are due to be played by 30 Nov 17

Army FA Minor Units Cup Draw

The First Round draw is:

ATR Winchester v MOD Corsham, Army Aviation Centre (AACen) v ARRC Sp Bn, PDIC’s v 4 MI Bn, Kings Troop RHA v 216 PARA Sig Sqn, 4 Med Regt v Upavon St, 47 Regt RA v Hermitage St, 1 Regt AAC w/o JSSU (Cheltenham), Arm Cen v 25 Trg Sp Regt, DMG (W) v 2 Med Regt, MOD Kineton v 1 Military Working Dogs Regt, 5 Regt AAC (Bye), DST Leconfield v 5 Med Regt, AFC Harrogate v 150 Pro Coy, 16 Med Regt v 3 Med Regt, 5 Scots v 1 Med Regt, Bielefeld St v Sennelager St

Ties are due to be played by 30 Nov 17.

Army FA Reserve Challenge Cup Draw

The Draw for the second round of the Army Reserve Challenge Cup was held during half time at the Super Cup Final. Major Billy Thomson drew the home teams and Col David Jones the away teams. Matches are to be completed by Sunday 17th December.

3 Royal Anglian or 159 Supply Regiment RLC host 81 Signal Squadron v Wales UOTC
3 MI Bn host 37 Signal Regiment or 157 Regt RLC
4 Mercian host 33 Engr Regt
The Royal Yeomanry or 7 MI Bn host Exeter UOTC or 39 Signal Regiment
150 Regt RLC or 5 RRF host Northumbrian UOTC
101 Bn REME or 103 Lancashire Artillery Regt RA host 152 (North Irish) Regiment RLC
4 Lancs Regt or 3 Royal Welsh host 156 Tpt Regt RLC
154 (Scottish) Regt RLC or 6 SCOTS host 167 Catering Support Regt

Tuesday 17th May, Army Cyprus v Army Reserve Representative Team – Dhekelia Athletics Pitch KO 1800 hrs

Friday 20th May 16, BFC v Army Reserve Representative Team. RAF Akrotiri Station Football Pitch 1800 hrs

Tuesday 17th May, Army Cyprus v Army Reserve Representative Team – Dhekelia Athletics Pitch KO 1800 hrs

Friday 20th May 16, BFC v Army Reserve Representative Team. RAF Akrotiri Station Football Pitch 1800 hrs

CORPS FOOTBALL

Massey Trophy

Friday 29^th September

Division 1

Infantry P-P REME

RLC 2-0 RA

RE 6-0 AAC

Division 2

RAC 3-0 v Int Corps

Friday 20^th October

Division 1

Infantry 3-2 REME

Fixtures (All 1030hrs unless stated)

Fri 27 October

Division 1

RA v AAC (Larkhill) Referee: SSgt Gaz Dunn (REME)

Royal Signals v Infantry (Brockton) Referee: WO1 Trev Beck (Infantry)

RLC v RE (Abingdon United FC) Referee: Cpl Kwame Hinson (REME)

Division 2

AMS P-P RAC

*Fri 10 November

A request has been made that all matches commence at 1105hrs on this day.

Division 1

REME v RA (Lyneham)

Royal Signals v AAC (Brockton FC)

Infantry v RLC (Aldershot Military Stadium)

Division 2

Int Corps v AGC (Chicksands)

Fri 17^th November

Division 1

REME v Infantry (Lyneham)

RLC v AAC (Abingdon United FC)

Royal Signals v RA (Brockton FC)

Division 2

RAC v AMS (Bulford 3G)

Woolwich Cup

Monday 9^th October

1^st Round

AMS 1-6 RLC

Int Corps 0-6 RE

RA 1-6 Royal Signals

Monday 23rd October

1st Round

RAC 2-3 AGC

Woolwich Cup Quarter Finals

The draw for the Woolwich Cup Quarter Finals is:

AGC v AAC

RLC v Infantry (AldeATCArshot Military Stadium)

RE v REME

Royal Signals v RAPTC

The ties will be played on Monday 4^th December.

Womens Corps

Friday 29^th September

AGC 1-0 REME

AMS 3-3 RA

Edwards Challenge Cup Quarter Final

REME P-P Royal Signals

AGC 5-0 Int Corps

RA 2-2 AMS (4-3 pens)

RE 0-3 RLC

Forthcoming Fixtures

Friday 3 November

AMS v REME (Lichfield) Referee: TBC

RA v AGC (Larkhill) Referee: Capt Dicky Halloran (Infantry)

Royal Signals v RLC (Stafford) Referee: Pte Jack Smith (Infantry)

Int Corps v RE (Chicksands) Referee: Cpl Ashley Wilton (RAC)

Friday 24 November

REME v Royal Signals (Lyneham)

AMS v Int Corps (Lichfield)

RA v RLC (Larkhill)

RE v AGC (Chatham)

Please follow Full Time on:

http://full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?league=543839072.

WOMENS UNIT FOOTBALL

1966 Tournament

The second 1966 Womens Commemorative Sixes were held in Grantham over two days this week. 13 teams entered including civilian side March Town. A busy schedule involved 28 matches on the first day followed by another busy set of fixtures the next day for both the main trophy and a Plate competition. 29 Regiment RLC were the overall winners defeating the inaugural champions Army Reserve in the semi final before recording a 1-0 win in the final versus March Town.

The Plate winners were 9 Regiment RLC who beat 27 Regiment RLC 3-2 in the final. Colonel Ash Boreham, Army FA Trustee, was in attendance. Player of the Tournament was awarded to WO2 (BSM) Savage, 4 Regiment RA.

Competition organiser Major Mark Normanton said, "The standard has certainly improved since we first started this adventure to give more opportunities for our ladies to play whilst developing the grass roots game.

"Everybody involves deserves credit. I'd like to thank my staff for constantly giving their time to help me. To Cpl Ryan Haynes (RAMC), our registered official, who had everything under control and was an absolute pleasure to work with, a true professional.

“The QM of ATRG for allowing us to his facilities and for providing refreshments. We are also grateful to Gary Davies who brought March Town FC, the valiant runners up. Finally to the players for once again not only showcasing women's football but proving there is a need for this type of competition".

COACHING

All the FA coaching qualifications being delivered at the Army FA in Aldershot for this season are now available to book online at www.armyfa.com

Please note you must complete courses in the correct order.

Level 1: pre course on line modules plus all 5 days including FA introduction to first aid in football (IFAiF) and safeguarding children (SC) courses on day 1

Level 2: block 1 -2-3
On the level 2 qualification the course tutor or an FA coach developer in your vicinity will visit you at your club twice, ideally between the blocks. All courses are open to both civilian and military learners.

Please click on the link below for further information on all Army FA Coaching courses:

https://eventspace.thefa.com/armyfa/participant/s.aspx?eventlen=55  

REFEREES

Le Breton Trophy (newcomer to show most potential and commitment): LCpl Michael Blake (RE) for UK South.

Army Caps: SSgt Chris Hastings AGC and Sgt Colin Allan Infantry.

A special presentation was also made to Major Gary Burton who leaves the Army after serving 28 years, 25 as a distinguished referee and also serving various posts.

It was a good evening hosted by Chairman Lt Col Pete Conn RE

Le Breton Trophy (newcomer to show most potential and commitment): LCpl Michael Blake (RE) for UK South.

Army Caps: SSgt Chris Hastings AGC and Sgt Colin Allan Infantry.

A special presentation was also made to Major Gary Burton who leaves the Army after serving 28 years, 25 as a distinguished referee and also serving various posts.

It was a good evening hosted by Chairman Lt Col Pete Conn RE

Referee Courses

The forthcoming Referees course in Catterick (13^th to 16^th November) is now full. However places do remain on the following courses:

January (22^nd to 25^th) Aldershot

March (19^th/23^rd) Stafford

For more information please visit: http://www.armyfa.com/refs/basic-courses

Appointments

Congratulations to the following Referees on prestigious recent appointments:

Kentish Cup

SSgt Declan Ford (REME)- the appointed official representing the UK Armed Forces.

Sunday 8^th October- Army FA Super Cup Final

1 Yorkshire Regiment v 154 (Scottish) Regiment RLC

Referee: SSgt Darren Hill (RLC)

Assistants: Pte Jack Smith (Infantry), SSgt Tony Ficetola (RA)

Please contact graham.brookland@Armyfa.com if you wish to have a news item published.