Ian Edwards, who served his country, says the Army-Navy game deserves more respect
WAS AT Twickenham recently to watch the Army-Navy match culminate in a last-gasp try by the Army to complete a fantastic comeback. For those who don’t know or haven’t been involved with the Armed Forces: being in the Forces is not a job, it’s a way of life. After serving, there are lifelong friendships. When this game takes place, people gather and meet up with old friends. There’s nothing more warming than seeing friends bumping into each other having not seen each other for many a year, and the look on their faces as they relive old times.
Personnel also meet up to remember those who have paid the ultimate price. I don’t know of any other event where former Forces personnel can meet in this way.
The game is always played on the first weekend in May and it has been at Twickenham for the last 104 years. The day is a high point for the players but also it has always been about the day itself for personnel that go – basically it’s a massive reunion.
However, this year was a poor parody of what it was. The Army-Navy veterans game that took place at Kneller Hall sports pitches – gone. The ladies used to play there but have moved to Twickenham, which is only right.
The main thing is that the regimental bars have also been removed. After the game, they were a central focal point to meet up with personnel or ‘bump into’ old friends and colleagues.
Removing them is disrespectful to those
