Weekly football sessions help Scott stay connected to other local veterans!

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 20 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.

And for programme participant Scott, the veteran’s football sessions provide him with an opportunity to socialise with other veterans in an environment that he feels comfortable with

Scott said: “With this type of fitness where you’re having a laugh and a kickabout, you don’t realise, but it’s helping.

“Sometimes when you come out of the Armed Forces, people do go wayside, but stuff like this keeps everyone in mind because if someone doesn’t turn up, they’ll get a phone call – I’ve had a few from Lee just to make sure I’m okay and making sure there’s nothing wrong, so there are loads of benefits.

“They’ve got fantastic facilities here, and having a military base so close to the ground, it’s an easy tie-in, and we can tie into the local base as we’ve had quite a few join us in the last few months and year.

“I’ve really enjoyed seeing everyone that you haven’t seen for a while, reconnecting with lads who you haven’t seen for ages and generally having a good kickabout. It’s social, fun, and we all really get on with each other.”

Lee Geraghty, Armed Forces Officer at AFC Fylde Community Foundation, added: “It’s brilliant that the lads who come down find the sessions beneficial and enjoyable.

“We aim to bring the local veteran’s community together, so to do it through the power of football, it provides a platform for them to socialise.”

AFC Fylde Community Foundation would like to thank partners BAE Systems and the Veterans Foundation for their continued support.

The Veterans’ Foundation has been set up to help fund charities and other charitable organisations that are helping serving and former members of the Armed Forces and their dependents who are in need.

For more information on our Armed Forces Project, please email [email protected].