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.