AFC Fylde Community Foundation’s Military Veterans and Football Welcomes teams recently played each other in a friendly game at Fylde Sports and Education Centre.
It was an evening where two important programmes delivered by the Foundation came together, showcasing the fantastic ways that we support different sections of our local community.
The match was well-contested, with the Football Welcomes team coming out on top.
AFC Fylde Community Foundation’s veteran’s football sessions are the perfect place for current and former servicemen to meet like-minded people and take part in recreational football!
The sessions take place every Monday from 7pm-9pm at the state-of-the-art Fylde Sports and Education Centre, led by the Foundation’s Armed Forces Officer Lee Geraghty, who spent 22 years in the British Army.
The group enjoy small-sided games against each other and have now joined the new Military Veterans League, which starts in September and has been set up jointly by Lancashire FA and Manchester FA. It will see the participants represent AFC Fylde in monthly fixtures against other local North West clubs.
Our Armed Forces Project aims to help those who have served their country and their families across Fylde – with support from the Veterans Foundation and BAE Systems.
Meanwhile, The Community Foundation’s Football Welcomes programme, in partnership with Fylde Council, Lancashire County Council and Amnesty International, supports refugees and asylum seekers moving to the borough.
The group take part in weekly sessions at Fylde Sports and Education Centre, as well as organised fixtures against other local clubs.
Acknowledging the power of football and how it can connect people in a number of ways, working alongside local partners, the Foundation’s Football Welcomes project has supported 44 refugees in 2023.
Scott Harries, Community Development Officer at AFC Fylde Community Foundation, said: “It was the first-time we’ve ever arranged two projects to come together for a friendly at the Foundation.
“It was great for both groups who are from different backgrounds to chat, share experiences and unite through the power of football.
“The game went really well and it’s something we will look to do again in the near future.”
Lee Geraghty, Armed Forces Project Officer, added “It was fantastic to organise the friendly game between our Military veterans and Football Welcomes teams.
“The lads really enjoyed themselves and it was pleasing to see them all engage with each other. We look forward to another match again soon.”
To find out more the Armed Forces Project, please email Lee.Geraghty@afcfylde.co.uk, and for Football Welcomes, contact Scott.Harries@afcfylde.co.uk!
