RAF FLY AWAY WITH VICTORY

Friendly Match

ENGLAND VETERANS 0 ROYAL AIR FORCE VETERANS 2

@Underwood Villa FC

£1 Programme

£1 Raffle

£5 for a cheeseburger & a Hot Dog

Last year my son Shawn who many of you know has autism had the special honour of being selected by the Nottinghamshire FA to take part in the Game of Remembrance to remember the 100 years since World War 1 in a match that was to take place at the City Ground, Nottingham, the home of Nottingham Forest, he was the only child on the pitch and did the coin toss in front of thousands attending the match and millions watching throughout the world on television.

Nearly three weeks ago, Shawn suffered a double leg break and a smashed ankle and has been in a wheelchair after a operation, but this hasnt dampened his sense of humour and he has been quite brave over the matter to be honest.

On Wednesday Evening I was contacted by Kimberley Miners Welfare Reserves manager Simon Revelle who also runs Inclusion Football to ask if Shawn would lead out the teams in this honourable friendly match, I explained that he was in a wheelchair and this ex military man said he would push Shawn on to the pitch and asked if i would do the photography, we were both honoured to accept this invitation and very proud to do so.

On Sunday Morning I advertised the game on twitter and got a reply from FC Non League Football who go round grounds to films matches and put them on to Youtube, here is the LINK to their facebook page, so please pop on and like their page, once they have put their film on Youtube on this match, I will add the link down at the end of my report next to my photo link.

The afternoon began by saying hello to quite a few of the folks I know from Underwood Villa FC who Ive not seen for a couple of seasons, then as the players arrived knew a few of them and the surprise of a programme being issued for a quid.

It then came to 1pm when INCLUSION FOOTBALL took place, a football match that was not serious, but just fun for kids of mixed ages and abilities from 6 - 16, though I think I may have got a kick if I could have been a bit quicker.

Here are 45 photos from their little match on this LINK

By 1.55pm the players were ready to led on to the pitch by Shawn and the Inclusion Football players, hands were shaken by all and a nice touch for both sides to shake hands with all the kids.

Match Referee for the first half, Lewis Quayle asked Shawn if he would like to do the coin toss, the other Assistants for the First Half was Matt Picker and Beau Watson..For the Second Half, Beau moved in the middle.

The game kicked off and both sides pushed forward and it was in the 23rd minute when the deadlock was broken, with a well taken goal for the Royal Air Force, The chaps from FC Non League football showed a old dog like me a new trick with Twitter and my mobile, no more having to type the scores folks, I can talk to my phone, I ve only had it 3 years and never knew you could talk to twitter and it types your message for you!!!!!

Half Time came and off towards the clubhouse where outside they were selling some lovely smelling burgers and hot dogs and having to watch my weight, I had one of each just to make sure they tasted nice and they did.

Back to pitchside for the Second Half and I was joined by Simon Revelle who was over the moon how the afternoon had panned out, the match had both sets of players playing with smiles on their faces, but still attacking and both keepers were forced in to excellent saves.

In the 59th minute, it became 2-0 to the Airman with a well worked goal.

England pressed forward and nearly scored a couple of times, but they nearly did get caught out a couple of times on the break, but the game finished in a 2-0 victory for the Airmen.

After the match in the clubhouse, men of the match, one from each side were chosen and presented with a trophy each. A speech from a rep from each management side was given and football was the real winner today.

124 photos can be seen on this LINK

As stated earlier FC Non League Football came along and filmed some of the match, here is the LINK to the highlights