Oxhey Jets vs RAF 100 - 10 Nov 2018

Every year in November, the nation marks the wars that have scarred our past and the bravery of the men and women who fought them. Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday are a chance to remember not just those who fought, but what they fought for.

Remembrance Day takes on an added significance this year as it is the centenary of the culmination of the First World War. It is a privilege for us to share this Remembrance with the RAF, and at the same time celebrate their own centenary year and all of the things they have achieved for our country and allies.

We owe a big thank you to Wing Commander John Hetherington MA*RAF for his invitation to play Icarus FC, the RAF officers representative team, on Remembrance weekend and to Squadron Leader Scott Hyndman for all his hard work to make it happen.

It is also a time to reflect on last year’s Remembrance when we were able to honour “Our Tom” with a memorable match against his regiment, the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.

It was an emotional day not just for the club but for the people of South Oxhey who responded magnificently and made the day such a special occasion. We have devoted the centre of this programme to remember some of the images from last year.

Thank you to all the players, management, staff and sponsors for their ongoing support and, to you, the South Oxhey community for all your enthusiasm and support.

For over a hundred years the Royal Air Force has defended the skies of Britain and projected Britain’s power and influence around the world.

The Royal Air Force was formed in April 1918 as a separate Service, independent of the British Army and Royal Navy – the first time that any country had done this.

The story of the RAF is full of iconic aircraft that have played major roles in the shaping of our history.

Tiger Moth planes were introduced in 1931, a classic British design that is still used around the world today.

The most famous plane is the Spitfire, introduced in 1935. It became one of the most successful fighter aircraft ever built and played a pivotal role in the Battle of Britain.

The triumph of the Dambusters raid in 1943 was based on specially modified Lancaster bombers, executing arguably the most daring air raid of World War II.

The now world-famous Red Arrows first appeared in 1965, and are recognised for the outstanding contribution they have made to British prestige in the field of aviation.

In 1969, the world’s first vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, the Harrier, arrived and it was to play a vital role in the Falklands conflict in 1982.

The Typhoon FGR4 came in 2008. A swing-role combat aircraft with excellent agility at all speeds. They provide Quick Reaction Alert UK air defence.

F-35B Lightning stealth combat aircraft now provide the ability to project air power from the land or sea.

The Chinook Mk 6, introduced in 2014, is increasingly the RAF workhorse. It can hold a position very accurately due to a unique Digital Automatic Flight Control System.

Looking forward, the Royal Air Force remains at the heart of the Government’ s approach to conflict and crisis management.

While not active in weekly league competition, the Club currently competes in 3 AFA cup competitions in the London area, against the other Services and the academies of professional clubs.

The Club also has an active Vets team and in total plays over 40 fixtures a season including an annual overseas visit which over recent seasons has included the Netherlands, Germany, USA, Cyprus, Denmark, Bulgaria, Guernsey and Gibraltar.

In the RAF’s 100th anniversary there is undoubtedly extra pressure for Icarus FC to do well, and they have risen to the challenge this year, highlighted with their 3-2 victory in the AFA Middlesex & Essex Intermediate Cup Final in April.

Two Icarus players, Ben Burton and Ryan Bradshaw (shown right) were also part of the RAF Coningsby team that won the RAF Cup at Vicarage Road in May.

Icarus also started the 2018-19 season in style, getting one over the Army in a hard-fought cup final that the Icarus boys won on penalties.

In September, Icarus paid an extended visit to Sofia, Bulgaria to play games against local sides including the Bulgarian armed forces and CSKA Sofia U-19’s. The tour also included community projects and a youth sporting day.

We look forward to a challenging game today as part of RAF 100 & WWI Armistice events.

As the first-team manager of Oxhey Jets FC, I am honoured to be involved in such a great occasion to mark Armistice 100 and RAF 100 versus Icarus FC, the representative team of the Royal Air Force. I’m sure both sides will do this match justice to mark such a special event.

My players are proud & excited to be involved in this remarkable tribute. They will be wearing poppies on their shirts, and our club captain Tom Gibson will be laying a remembrance wreath on behalf of the club.

Armistice day marks the Armistice signed between the allies of World War I and Germany to end a war where nearly 1 million of our gallant soldiers lost their lives. It is also a day of remembrance for those who have lost their lives in all of the wars since that day. We come together to remember as a community, but also as individuals with our own memories and losses.

On a personal note, I never had the pleasure of meeting Tom Lake who is held in such high regard by everyone at Oxhey Jets. Tom lost his life serving our great country in Afghanistan. Last year was such an emotional day. Tom, who was a former Jets player, will always be in the hearts of everyone connected to the club.

To me, this is what makes Oxhey Jets a great club that I am proud to manage. It is a real inspiration from the chairman, secretary, bar staff, kit washers, groundsmen, catering staff, management team, supporters and, of course, our players who are really excited at the opportunity to play in this fixture.