Page 64 - The Light Dragoon 2024

The Light Dragoons Football Team has exhibited a great level of play so far this season, with players old and new coming together weekly to train and play across the Army FA Northern League. The level of performance that the team has demon- strated during the 2023/24 season can be seen through our results and is proven by our placing at the top of Division 2. As I am writing this article, promotion looks highly likely, which will take us towards a fiercer set of fixtures for the 2024/25 season.
Looking back to July 2023 before the season began, a vision for the team was devised whilst the regiment visited Normandy Barracks, Sennelager. Eleven- a-side football quickly became the order of the day after evening meal, with all ranks playing well into the evening. Not only was this football at its purest, but a perfect opportunity to highlight new talent and the style of play that would come instinc- tively to the Light Dragoons this season. The inter-squadron football competition showcased the talent on offer within the regiment at the end of the two weeks in Germany, with A Squadron, ‘The Empire’, taking the title back home to Gaza Barracks.
As summer leave came to an end, the start of the new football season drew closer. The Light Dragoons football management began to align fixtures and prepare the team accordingly. The anticipation for football was high, and the team ready to take our football back to the football pitches of Catterick Garrison.
Throughout this season the Light Dragoons have endeavoured to field a full XI, regardless of availability of key players, and has been commended by the Army FA North for our match attendance. Due to not having to postpone or cancel matches we have accrued more points per game than any other team in the league, and this is down to SSgt Cheshire and his persis- tence throughout the season to always have the team building up towards a match on any given day of the week.
The team collectively has emphasised the play of the ball at the feet, rather than using the channels of the pitch by hitting direct arial passes. By avoiding ‘route one’ football the Light Dragoons have made best use of our quality players in midfield. The link up plays between Tpr Fowlie and Tpr Nervias, on its day, would have the likes of Lampard and Gerrard getting their notebooks and pens out. Whilst at the business end of the pitch, Sgt Hewson’s strike that let fly from 25-yards out with one touch had the Light Dragoons side-line in uproar against the Royal Lancers, settling the final scoreline at 5-1 to the Light Dragoons. Notable debut seasons belong to Tpr Fagan and Tpr Cribbins, who have brought some
dynamism to our flanks and look to push forwards into the new season as powerful assets to the Light Dragoons attack. Whilst our safety between the posts will be under the watchful eye of our very own Tpr Pocklington who has been called up for the Army U-23’s Inter-Services. The future is bright for the team.
The team looks forward to our preparation for the 2024/25 season, with the players looking to take part in a series of matches through the summer months. However, as this season ends, on behalf of the team I would like to thank everyone who has
worked to get the players into our jerseys and turf under their boots. Without the extra graft and work behind the scenes, the weeks would pass by without regimental football.
Our eyes are now firmly set upon the Cav Cup in 2025 and to undertake a strong claim to remain in Army FA North League, Division one. With the same displays of practice, camaraderie and love of football, the Light Dragoons may well be seen having another great year on the football pitch, within touching distance of silverware.
F Lennon
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
Football
62
Golf
This year the Regimental Golf team has grown in strength. We now have more than 20 members of all abilities. This is
from all Capbadges and a welcome change from just seeing the same old faces sneaking off on a Wednesday afternoon.
Due to ongoing operational commit- ments this year the team has only been able to compete in a very small number of events. The annual BRASSIE between the Officers’ Mess & WO’s & Sgts’ Mess took place in July at Richmond Golf Club. Sgt Connor made the decision to change they way we played it this year with some weird version of Stableford. Apparently, this was a fairer way. Either way
the WOs’ & Sgts’ Mess still won.
This year WO2 Hirst & SSgt Russell has competed in the Northeast Army Golf Association competition. This was held each month at 6 different venues. They ranged from traditional parkland courses to links. Not 1 of the events disappointed and all competitors were welcomed by the club members. By the end of the compe- tition WO2 Hirst was placed in the top 8.