RAF Shawbury staff meet England stars
Military personnel from Shropshire came face to face with England stars Wayne Rooney Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole and Jack Wilshere on a visit to the new National Football Centre.
Staff from RAF Shawbury met the international footballers at St George's Park in Staffordshire ahead of England's 2-1 friendly victory over Brazil last week.
The trip was organised thanks to string ties between the Armed Forces and the Football Association and saw players from RAF representative teams, service leagues, the executive council committee and RAF Shawbury meet the players and take part in an all-access tour of the centre.
The tour was conducted by St George's Park chairman David Sheepshanks CBE and managing director Julie Harrington, who showed the RAF personnel the hi-tech gyms, changing rooms and hotel facilities.
The RAF men's representative team will be using the training facilities at St George's Park in the run up to the home Inter Services fixture against the Royal Navy at Shrewsbury Town's Greenhous Meadow on March 13 at 7pm. It will be open to everyone and entry will be free.
Group Captain Simon Harper, chairman of the RAF Football Association, said: "It was fantastic for the group to meet some of England's footballing stars at St George's Park, prior to their friendly International against Brazil.
"The facilities are of the highest quality and we look forward to the RAF teams playing on one of the St George's Park pitches in the near future."
Mr Sheepshanks said: "It was a privilege to be able to show a delegation from the RAF Football Association around St George's Park. I know they were impressed by the fabulous facilities we have here."
