Military News Today

Back in August, the Manchester FA & Lancashire FA announced that they were delighted to be kicking off a new league for Military Veterans in the North West. The league has been named the North West Military Veterans League. The first season kicked off this month on Sunday 1st October at the Lancashire FA County Ground for its inaugural 2023/24 season and veterans across the North West didn’t disappoint.

The league has been set up to bring ex-forces personnel from across the North West together to play regular competitive football.

After a successful funding application for the FA Football Delivery Fund and meeting with existing military veteran teams and personnel, the league has been designed to fit the needs of the community. 

Fixtures will take place every 4-6 weeks at a central venue with varied kick off times to fit around other commitments. The league also intends to provide education and support to team players and volunteers through CPD and workshops from armed forces charities and organisation at fixture dates throughout the season.

9 Clubs and Community Trusts are already signed up to the 7-a-side league featuring teams from Burnley FC, Curzon Ashton, Fleetwood Town, Foundation 92, AFC Fylde, Liverpool FC, Oldham Athletic, Preston North End and Rochdale AFC. Clubs or community trusts with existing military veterans’ provision or interested in starting it are still encouraged to take part.  All new teams will receive £200 in funding to support their set up with purchasing kit, equipment or for match fees.

Daniella Worth, Veteran Project Coordinator at Burnley FC in the Community, commented “This is a great opportunity for BFCitC Military Veterans and from across the North West to be a part of the new sanctioned League run by Lancashire and Manchester FA. We can’t wait to get stuck in and play football with our fellow North West Sports Clubs and Charities.”

Joe Mathias (Manchester FA) and Leigh Jeffrey (Lancashire FA) added “We are delighted to be able to provide this new offer to veterans of the armed forces in the North West. We have made sure to include members of the community in designing the league to ensure it fits their requirements and we can’t wait to get the football underway in September.”

If you are a military veteran and are interested in joining or starting a team in your area, please contact either Joe.Mathias@ManchesterFA.com or Leigh.Jeffrey@LancashireFA.com to find out more.

7 teams from across the region were in attendance for the inaugural event and provided some entertaining matches to get the season underway.

Rochdale AFC Community Trust finished the first round on top of the table after a 7-0 victory over AFC Armed Forces Hub Wigan, who also played out a thrilling 3-3 draw against Fleetwood Town FC Community. Previously, Blackpool FC Community and Burnley FC Community also drew 3-3 in an end to end encounter. The match between Liverpool FC Foundation and Preston North End Community Trust was finely poised at 3-2 and could have gone either way before Liverpool put the game beyond doubt with a late 4th to seal the deal 4-2.

For all the results and current league standings please visit the league full-time page here.

Stephen Price of Wigan Armed Forces Hub commented “A great couple of hours of football, my lot really enjoyed themselves and it was great to see the team spirit amongst the veterans – they can’t wait until the next round.”

The next set of fixtures are scheduled to take place on Sunday 5th November and the league already has over 120 military veterans registered to take part in the monthly 7v7 fixtures. 

If you are a veteran and are interested in playing and joining one of the teams, please complete this form with your details.