It is a privilege for us to be able to host the Coldstream Guards for a second year in our special remembrance match in support of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
Your support of this match last year was exceptional, resulting in a record match day attendance of 438, and a major contribution to the appeal funds collected by South Oxhey.
This remembrance match again enables us to remember Pte. Tom Lake, an Oxhey Jet and soldier in the 1st Battalion of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. We are always honoured to be able to celebrate his life and pay our respects to ‘Our Tom’.
It is also the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, and we are pleased to have Mark Ives lay a special wreath today for those who died in that conflict.
Thank you as always for your support, to Adrian Flux Insurance for sponsoring the game, and to all the players, managers, staff and advertisers who make it possible.
We pause to remember and respect, and to celebrate what we have and what we believe in.
Coldstream Guards, alongside the Royal Company of Archers and the Yeomen of the Guard, guard the coffin of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as she lies in State inside Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster,
Since last year’s remembrance match it has been a hectic and demanding year for the Coldstream Guards.
In addition to their normal duties, there have been the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Queen’s funeral, and the King’s accession.
The Guards have also had extensive training exercises including back-to-back overseas training in the Falklands and then in Jamaica at the start of the year. Regular military training included range exercises with a variety of weaponry and close-quarters battle drills.
It was a privilege for the Coldstream Guards to play their part in the funeral of their last Colonel-in-Chief, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
They provided the Queen’s last-ever Guard of Honour at Buckingham Palace and stood vigil in Westminster Hall during the days of Lying-in-State.
The Coldstream Guards were an integral part of the procession through London to and from Westminster Abbey, the transition at the Wellington Arch, and on to Windsor.
At Windsor, they provided street-lining for the Queen’s final journey, and an escort up the Long Walk, led by two mounted Coldstream Guards, to Windsor Castle and St George’s Chapel.
It was a mammoth undertaking. “The whole battalion was involved in some way,” Sgt Backhouse said of her funeral. “Our barracks were a staging point when Her Majesty moved towards Windsor so it was a hive of activity which meant that every person had a part to play.”
A few days before the funeral, the Coldstream Guards had presented themselves at St James’s Palace for the proclamation of the accession of King Charles III. The band played, cheers rang out, and busbies were raised by ‘The King’s Guard”.
Rest in Peace Your Majesty
The Coldstream Guards lined up ready to honour their Colonel-in-Chief one last time.
God Save the King!
Members of the King’s Guard, the Coldstream Guards, cheer and the band plays as the Principal Proclamation is read from the balcony overlooking Friary Court after the Accession Council ceremony at St James’s Palace where King Charles III was formally proclaimed monarch.
Charles automatically became King on the death of his mother, but the Accession Council on September 10th 2022, attended by Privy Councillors, confirmed his role.
On April 2 1982, Argentine forces invaded the falkland islands, which had been in British hands since the 18th century, sparking the sending of a Royal Navy task force south to recapture them.
A naval and land campaign followed which resulted in the recapture of the islands on June 14, although at the cost of 255 British lives.
This year is the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War when, as a nation, we were shocked that the islands, a sovereign territory and UK Overseas Territory by choice of its population, had been invaded by Argentina.
The attack came on April 2, as Argentinian forces targeted the islands located 8,000 miles from the UK mainland, deep in the South Atlantic. Just three days later, a vast combined arms British task force - Task Force 317 - involving 26,000 troops and 3,000 civilian personnel steamed from Portsmouth intent upon re-taking the islands.
During early fierce fighting on land, air and at sea, a total of seven British ships were lost, including the Sir Galahad, HMS Coventry & HMS Sheffield which was struck by an Exocet anti-ship missile.
In these early days of the war the island’s small contingent of captured marines were paraded on television by the Argentines. After seeing this, it was “that’s who it’s for. It was for the locals, it was for the islanders, and it became very, very personal.”
At one stage our Marines, after more losses of supply ships, famously had to make an epic 50 mile ‘yomp’ across difficult terrain with South Atlantic winter approaching, with about 120 lbs on their backs, but determined to put matters right.
After 75 days of war across land, air and sea, British forces advanced on the capital of Stanley and enemy troops fled in disarray, with prime minister Margaret Thatcher informing the House of Commons that the Argentinians had surrendered.
The return of our armed forces from the Falkland Islands (above: HMS Hermes returns to Portsmouth greeted by a huge flotilla of small vessels) was a joyous occasion that helped to galvanise the nation.
There had been incredible daring and bravery shown by British Army servicemen and women, making an opposed landing to take back territory in the way that they did. As a nation, we had stood up for people who showed their allegiance to Britain, no matter how difficult the challenge.
Above: Former Oxhey Jet Steve Stone receiving his South Atlantic medal.
Far right: British soldiers raise the Union Jack again over the Falkland Islands
At a service, earlier this year at the National Memorial Arboretum, Boris Johnson said ‘The first thing is to remember what an incredible thing it was that they achieved back in 1982” and that the ‘greatest tribute’ to those who had laid down their lives was that the Falklands Islands had since ‘thrived in peace and freedom’.
Britain’s role was to assert the right of the islanders to self-determination. Today we salute those that gave their lives to achieve that, and Mark Ives, who has served in the Falklands, will lay our wreath.
In memory of Private Thomas Christopher Lake Killed in action 20th November 2011
We will always remember you
One of the most prestigious regiments in the British Army has paid tribute to a late soldier and footballer at a special Remembrance match.
Private Tom Lake, a member of the 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales Regiment, was killed in action in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on November 20, 2011. Pte Lake played for Oxhey Jets and the club once again honoured the memory of one of their own, this year facing a team from the Coldstream Guards.
More than 430 people were at the Boundary Stadium yesterday to watch the Spartan Premier Division side win the fixture following a moving act of Remembrance and tribute to Pte Lake.
Dignitaries, officials and both teams were led onto the pitch by a piper, with former Royal Marine Fred Weaving leading the parade as he prepared to take the salute.
The occasion was given more gravity by the presence of a member of the Guards Corps of Drums, who sounded The Last Post ahead of a two minutes silence after the wreath laying ceremony involving councillors, the police, football association officials, young players from Oxhey Jets Youth and both teams.
Pte Lake’s mother Carol also laid a wreath and the occasion was to have added poignancy when she officially opened the Tom Lake Memorial Stand for disabled supporters in memory of her son.
Extracts
from an excellent article in the Watford Observer on our 2021 Remembrance with the Coldstream Guards
Coldstream Guards play Oxhey Jets in Remembrance match in Pte Tom Lake’s memory
Sgt Craig Backhouse, manager of Coldstream Guards FC, made a presentation to Carol before he received the Garry Beadle Memorial Trophy, named after the former Jets player who died in 2019, in recognition of the Guards’ involvement in the fixture.
Sgt Backhouse said: “Civilian and military engagement can be difficult sometimes. So when we do get the approval it just adds more gravity to the situation and just makes it all that more special. It was well worth every moment of it. Scoreline aside, I loved it.”
Sgt Backhouse said he hoped it had been “a really lovely occasion” for Pte Lake’s mother. “He gave the ultimate sacrifice and that’s why we’re here today for this match.”
The occasion also had added significance for Jets manager Kevin Christou because he used to serve in the Grenadier Guards. He said: “I’ve never seen something like this. We heard about this when we first came in, John said you won’t have seen anything like it before.
Asked if he would like to be involved in the fixture again next year, Sgt Backhouse responded: “Without a shadow of a doubt and the guys will jump at it as well. I think a percentage of it will be they want to get a result next time, but they’ll do it as well just for the kindred spirit of it all.”
A photo that highlights an important part of our Remembrance games. Respect and remembrance, with our friends in the armed services side by side with our youth teams.
One of the highlights of last year’s match was the unveiling of the Tom Lake Memorial Stand for the disabled.
With a guard of honour of Oxhey Jets Youth, the stand was unveiled, at the end of the Remembrance ceremony, by Tom’s Mum, Carol, alongside Sgt Craig Backhouse of the Coldstream Guards.
Volunteers funded a Tommy Soldier silhouette figurine that was mounted next to the stand and attracted flowers, cards and tributes from the record crowd.
The wreaths from the ceremony were laid out after the game by the stand, making a powerful display as the night approached.
I welcome you all and thank you all for being with us today to celebrate this special occasion.
This is the 2nd memorial game as manager at Oxhey Jets, and I have to say that in that time I have come to see that this club is more than just a football club, it’s a family, a place for the community to come together. It’s a place that will never let people or legacies be forgotten.
Today is not about football or about the players that are on the pitch, today is about the people that can’t be with us because they have given the biggest sacrifice not just for the people of this country but for thousands of people around the world.
Those men and women have given their lives to ensure that we can stand here today safe and free, so today isn’t about cheering when a goal is scored or clapping when a save is made. Today is about celebrating those who have given that sacrifice as well as the men and
women who continue to step up knowing that they may have to give that same sacrifice.
To those here today who have fallen family members, we thank you for their service, we as a club know how it feels to have fallen friends and family members, and I can promise you they will never be forgotten, their names will always be in our hearts, and as long as Oxhey Jets is alive so are their names and memories.
So enjoy the day, please fill the charity boxes and, most importantly, as you watch the game please make sure that the families of those fallen heroes like Tom Lake (one of Jets own) can see and hear how grateful we all are and that their family member(s) will never be forgotten by us.
Always and forever grateful
Kevin Christou
Tom Inch
May I first say thank you to John and all his support team who work tirelessly every year to organise such an extraor- dinary day.
I would like to welcome our friends from The Coldstream Guards once again and thank you for joining us to mark this important occasion.
It is a great honour and privilege for me and my teammates to share such a memorable day with you and to commemo- rate and say thank you to our hero, Tom.
Vass
Mandeville
To be selected to lay the wreath is such an honour, it means so much to so many, and is especial- ly close to the hearts of Oxhey Jets as we remem- ber Tom Lake who sadly passed away.
I feel incredibly proud to be selected to lay a wreath in remembrance of so many incredible people.
Corporal Ryan Morris
We are delighted to again have Corporal Ryan Morris, 25, from Stoke on Trent as our match referee.
Ryan joined the Royal Air Force in 2017 and is currently an Officer Cadet in the final term of Initial Officer Training at RAF College Cranwell, Lincolnshire.
Ryan began officer training in June 2022, and his graduation date was on the 3rd of November 2022, just two days ago!
After graduation, Ryan will be a Flying Officer and start his phase 2 training at RAF Shawbury, Shropshire in February.
His previous service included 5 years in the RAF as Air and Space Operations Specialist, in which he was promoted to Corporal in March 2022.
Ryan is a Level 4 match official, whose refereeing highlights include the 2019 RAF most promising referee award.
Ryan is a big supporter of the Jets and manages his schedule to make himself available for our Remembrance games, which we really appreciate. He has also refereed the 2020 Mount Pleasant Combined Services vs Port Stanley XI, Falkland Islands Games, whilst on service in the Falklands.
Ryan is pictured right with our assistant referees Mark Ives and Phil Sharp.
Colin Macdougal
Colin now has over 30 years of experience at playing the bagpipes, has set-up a business performing solo at private and corporate events, and plays with pipe bands at UK and international piping competitions, tattoos, parades and in films/movies.
Colin was a member of the Air Training Corps with 2535 Livingston Squadron reaching the rank of sergeant. www.specialeventspiper.co.uk
Tom Hammond
Tom has supported Jets through our Remembrance games, including the ‘monsoon years’, soldiering on and playing the Last Post and Reveille superbly despite only having the protection of a colleague’s flimsy umbrella.
Tom will be supported by members of the Coldstream Guards who will also supply an escort to the Colour.
Fred Weaving
Fred Weaving will again be taking the salute for the fallen.
Fred is a former Royal Marine Commando of 42 Commando Royal Marines, Rank Corporal. He joined the Marines in March 1959 and served in Malta GC and Borneo.
Fred has served football for many years and has been a constant and loyal friend and adviser to Oxhey Jets. He is still an active referee assessor on a number of leagues including the league Jets play in, the Combined Counties Premier North.
We are proud to have Fred as our friend, we thank him for his ongoing commitment and support to our club, and for taking the salute again for us today. Fred is a brilliant friend.
Phil first played football for Livingstone School but became a referee via the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme in order to fulfil the Service in the Community component. He gained his apprenticeship through the Hertfordshire County League before gaining promotion onto the Southern Football League middle from where he was promoted to Panel Referee for two seasons before being promoted as an Assistant Referee to the Football League and, finally, the Premier League. He was selected to run the line at the 1999 FA Cup Final.
Phil was promoted to the FIFA list of match officials in 1997. His progression was exceptional, holding the flag in the opening game and semi-final of the 2000 European Championship.
In the 2002 FIFA World Cup Phil was appointed to five games, including the Croatia v Italy match and the final between Germany and Brazil. As such he was England’s second successive match official at a Final match and represented England at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
He now works for the Hertfordshire FA as the Referee Development Officer.
Mark Ives is a former National List Official having spent 9 years as an Assistant Referee on the Football League having progressed through the Herts Senior County League. He was a former Level 2 Referee and refereed on the Football Conference. Mark has links to both organisations today. A Chief Executive of the Hertfordshire FA from 1995 to 2001 he also spent 12 years in the Army, having spent time in Germany, Kenya, the Falkland Islands (and he lays our wreath today for those who died in the Falklands War) and Northern Ireland. From 2001, Mark spent 19 years with The FA, as the Head of their Judicial Dept. He is now the General Manager of the National League and a Director of Administration with Huntingdonshire FA.
Mark has been a good friend of the Jets for many years and is extremely honoured to be asked to be an assistant referee again today, and to lay a wreath, as his Military Service plays a big part of his life.
Phil Sharp
Mark Ives
Andrew Blackwood
Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant
Oxhey Police Station
Hertfordshire Constabulary
Thank you for the opportunity to speak to the community from today’s programme. Having been in charge at Oxhey Police station for just over a year now I have tried to get involved wherever possible to reach the residents of Oxhey.
I wanted to join the local team as I have always admired the community spirit here and wanted to be a small part of that. I admire the many opportunities open to young people to enjoy physical sport in the area, this is exemplified by the club, a hub that provides positive role models and encourages contributions to the local community.
My colleague Luke Mitchell represented Hertfordshire Constabulary last year having served as the local Sergeant for four years before taking up the role of community safety Sergeant and now as Police Federation local branch chairman.
I was honoured to be invited last year to the event here at Jets and admire all the hard work John puts into the club and his dedication to community and service, both on display at the club today.
Please come and say hello to myself or one of the team who will be at the club.
FALKLANDS FOOTBALL
In this, the 40th Anniversary of the Falklands War and whilst the invasion and subsequent liberation are well documented, did you know that the Islands also have their own “National” football team and internal League?
The FIFL (Falklands Islands Football League) has recorded that the first ever game on the Islands was way back in 1892. On that occasion, a team of the Falkland Islands Defence Force played against a Garrison team.
From this date until the outbreak of World War I, regular games between the Islands residents took place. The League in 1913 had 5 teams, notably, Dazzlers, Sappers, Crusaders, Corinthians and Malvinians.
Most competitive games on the Islands in the 1920’s and 1930s were between the various military personel stationed there.
Following World War II, the name Stanley FC was revived and became the nickname of the National team.
Past League Champions have included, Falkland Island Volunteers, Stanley Service Corps, Stanley Red Sox, Mustangs, and even a team called Penguin News!!
The National team is not able to compete in either the World Cup or the Copa America as their League does not belong to CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) due to their Countries members showing allegiance to Argentina during the conflict.
The team has however competed in “The Island Games” since 2001 and played against such luminaries as, The Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Gibraltar, Greenland, Faroe Islands, Jersey, Guernsey and Bermuda.
The 2020/21 National team shirt was a very fetching and patriotic affair, consisting of a Blue diagonal band across a Red bodied shirt and White sleeves.
The back of the short was predominently Red but with a Union Jack across the bottom third.
Notably, on the neck collar there is the number 255 which represents the number of British Military personnel who lost their lives in the Falklands War.
Sport, and especially football, is an increasingly important part of the development of the Falkland Islands. A work site (shown below) has been prepared for an exciting sports development. The large rectangular area in the centre will be a 4G football/rugby pitch.
To the south of that the large circle will be a cricket pitch. To the left will be a large indoor facility for multiple sports.
FA TEAM IN FALKLANDS
In 2018, an FA Representative X1 made a 16,000 mile goodwill visit to the Falkland Islands.
The squad of 16 players, led by England C manager Paul Fairclough played two fixtures, winning 3-1 against the Falklands Islands team and defeating a British Forces South Atlantic Islands side by 3-2.
In addition to the two games, the squad also had a busy schedule of events, attending a reception hosted by his excellency the Governor Nigel Phillips CBE at the Government House, and one hosted by the Commander of British Forces South Atlantic Islands at Mount Pleasant military base.
The squad led training sessions in the three island schools during
their visit, engaging with children, parents and teachers with each child on the island receiving a variety of small gifts from The FA. In addition, Fairclough led a coaching session at the Mount Pleasant military base for military coaches.
The team attended the service of remembrance and joined the parade through Port Stanley, where Fairclough laid a wreath on behalf of the FA at the war memorial.
“It was a memorable visit,” said Laurence Jones, head of the National League System.
“The warmth of the welcome and appreciation from everyone on the islands was humbling. The Islanders embraced us into their community and hopefully a legacy of the visit will see the game grow
and develop with new facilities and qualified coaches.”
The players were fantastic ambassadors for the FA and the two matches were both very exciting and watched by the two largest crowds ever to watch football matches in the Islands.
The young squad, with an average age of 21, had an experience that money cannot buy. Throughout the short stay, their development as young people was evident to see by all. The Football Association has left a profound legacy on the Islands that will never be forgotten.”
Local football is now thriving with leagues for men, women and youth. In 2022 the Falklands football league was fought out by the Hunters, Mustangs, Rangers and Redsox. Who would you support?
