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It’s been a challenging season for the Football Club as we aimed to build on the success of recent seasons and
be competitive at the pinnacle of Corps Football in Massey League 1. Numerous injuries and untimely deployments have led to a depleted squad, making it difficult as we are pitted against Corps who have the luxury of training and playing together much more regularly than ourselves. The support staff, now known as the “blue jackets” or those with a little more experience, have remained pivotal throughout the season. Most have even found themselves donning the boots again to bolster the starting 11 – or in my case, trying to not get booked chasing my second touch. Even Army and UKAF Football legend WO1 (SMI) Keith Emmerson has deferred Corps retirement “again” to show the league that he still has it.
Despite a respectable start, and some strong performances this season, it looks likely that the Club will be relegated to Massey League 2 next season. Not all bad news - the additions of new talent such as Sgt (SI) Stephen Pepperell and Sgt (SI) Kieran Kelsey will ensure that we’re prepared for the tough challenges we will face. Unfortunately, we will compete next season without our Head Coach, WO1 (SMI) Paul Holden. Paul is a true ambassador for representative football whose knowledge and experience as a player, coach and RAPTCI will be sorely missed. We can’t thank him enough for his services over the decades and wish him all the best in the future.
Away from the pitch, a special thanks goes to our social media rep SSgt (SSI) Louis Hampson. His excellent use of digital platforms has enabled the club to become active across social media, working tirelessly to keep our followers updated. A further mention and congratulations on their awards from the previous season:
• SSgt (SSI) Steven Ward
– Manager’s Player of the Year
• SSgt (SSI) Matt Radley
– Players’ Player of the Year
• SSgt (SSI) Ebrima Jallow – Clubman
• SSgt (SSI) Dean Hammond
– 50+ Appearances Cap
• SSgt (SSI) Sam Leng
– 50+ Appearances Cap
• SSgt (SSI) Mathew Evans
– Corps Colours
• SSgt (SSI) Ebrima Jallow
– Corps Colours
• SSgt (SSI) Steven Ward – Corps Colours
• Mr Nigel Wiscombe – Busby Trophy.
Army Football. Despite being an aging team, we still have several players competing for the Army. The RAPTC were the most represented Corps on an
RAPTC FOOTBALL
WO2 (QMSI) D Gledhill RAPTC
RAPTC FC Squad at the Sports award dinner
RAPTCIs on the Army Football OSV in Australia
Overseas Sports Visit (OSV) to Sydney, Australia, in October 2023. SSgt (SSI) Mathew Evans (Army Men’s) and SSgt (SSI) Yvette Kemp (Army Women’s) were joined by a large cohort of older men (Army Masters) wishing they still had the pace to compete with their younger colleagues. An unforgettable experience for all involved.
On return from Australia, our President, Maj (MAA) Lee Davison was appointed the General Manager position for the Army Masters and SSgt (SSI) Carl Lawrence appointed as head coach. Both very prestigious positions that show that the RAPTC and the Club are very much a significant presence within the Army FA.
RAPTC FC Squad
SSgt (SSI) Lawrence, the new Army Masters Head Coach with Sgt (SI) McCabe