Newton and District Veterans Association’s Armed Forces Day event brought grassroots football and military commemoration together at Hope Academy on Saturday, 27 June, on a hot day that drew tremendous interest from the local community.
The Under-11s tournament saw teams from Newton-le-Willows, Runcorn, Woolston, Warrington and Burnley compete throughout the day.
Whittle Hall Galaxy were crowned winners, with Newton-le-Willows FC Raptors, sponsored by the Veterans, finishing as runners-up after what was described as a great final. The young players were praised for giving their all on the pitch.
Before the football got under way, the Veterans led a parade and ceremony including Standards, the Last Post, a minute’s silence, Reveille and the Kohima Epitaph. The ceremony was met with respect and dignity from everyone in attendance, with silence falling across the ground for the Last Post. A display of military artefacts was also on show throughout the day.
Medals and trophies were presented to the finalists at the end of the tournament, and the response from those who took part and watched was overwhelmingly positive, with many already asking if the event can happen again. Watch this space…!