“Taking part is great, but it’s even better when you win.”
Job title:
Cost Estimator
Other job title:
DE&S football manager
How many football teams are there at DE&S?
There are currently two 11 aside football teams at DE&S and I run the A team. We currently have 100+ players that are keen to be involved with the setup, which makes for good healthy competition for the two teams.
When do you play?
We play in the Lewis Cup each year, which is the only 11-a-side Civil Service Cup Competition, that is held every March over two days at Warwick University. The competition format usually consists of 4 groups with group games being played on day one, with the winner from each group progressing to a semi-final on day two. The winners of the semi-finals then progress to the cup final, with the losers progressing to the Plate Final which is held at Fleetwood Town Football Club in May.
You’ve had some success too, tell us more:
The final is a fantastic event to take part in, Fleetwood Town Football Club go out of their way to make you feel special and allow us to use all their facilities at the stadium. As I said taking part is great, but it’s even better when you win. I have got the team to the final 5 of the last 6 years. Winning the final twice (2013, 2014), losing twice (2015, 2016) and we have one coming up in May. Hopefully 2018 can see the team get the hat trick of wins.
How are you funded?
We are currently funded by the Defence Sport & Recreation Association. They offer individuals £75 towards personal fitness every year.
Do you accept players from all over DE&S?
It is my job to try and improve the football setup year on year which I do so this by recruiting new players who join the MoD and keeping existing players motivated. I do this in a couple of ways.
I keep in regular contact with players and I also go and watch them playing for their club sides on weekends and build relationships with them.
I have also recently started in-house friendlies. Those that can commit, play 4-5 times a year in the in-house games that take place at the Civil Service Club in Filton.
These games give new players extra opportunities to get involved within the setup and get to know the management and other players.
These games also give me the opportunity to view more players, regularly and get a better representation of a player’s ability.
Most recently I arranged an in-house friendly at a local club where players travelled to Bristol from as far as Taunton and Birmingham.
Previous years we have had players travel from London and Glasgow to take part in the Lewis Cup.
That shows the level of commitment I am getting from players to get involved.
