Match ball arrives by air (From Yeovil Express)

Match ball arrives by air

6:20pm Monday 9th August 2010 in News By Steve Sowden

RNAS Yeovilton was more than happy to play its part in an Armed Forces charity day at Taunton Town FC at the weekend.

A big crowd attended the day in support of the Royal Naval and Royal Marines Charity, the Army Benevolent Fund, RAF Benevolent Fund, Help for Heroes, and the Royal British Legion.

There were two great football matches – the first between the families of Corporals Jonathan Horne and Tom Gaden of the Rifles who were killed in action in Afghanistan last year. The match was a 3–3 draw and decided on penalties, with the winning kick struck by Jonathan’s father.

The second match was between the Royal Marines and Taunton Town FC and was an exciting, hard fought match with the Royal Marines winning 2–1 after some terrific attacking football.

The guests of honour were the Mayor of Wootton Bassett, Cllr Mary Champion, and the Deputy Mayor of Taunton, Cllr Steve Brooks.

They met the teams and families, and presented trophies, after which Cllr Champion made a very moving speech about Wootton Bassett.

The event was organised by Chief Petty Officer Jim Kent of the Joint Service Unit at Cheltenham, Petty Officer Andy Cload of Phase One Training, HMS Raleigh, and Petty Officer Mathew Steele of 702 Squadron, RNAS Yeovilton.

They received terrific support from the local cadet forces with battlefield and field gun displays, and music by the Devon and Somerset Air Cadets Volunteer Band.

Players were joined by junior cadets as mascots and local Royal British Legion Standard Bearers.

The match aall arrived in style being delivered by a Lynx Helicopter from 702 Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton which departed with a flypast trailing a white ensign!

Petty Officers Andy Cload and Mathew Steele paid tribute to everyone at Taunton Town FC, to CPO Jim Kent, all the cadets and local businesses who supported a wonderful day which raised over £20,000 for service charities.