Shrewsbury Town boss Micky Mellon a real high flyer at RAF Shawbury

He was joined by goalkeepers Jayson Leutwiler and Callum Burton when they visited the Shropshire base to promote the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant, which encourages local organisations to support their local armed forces personnel and vice versa.

Both organisations have recently signed the covenant, and during Thursday's visit, Mr Mellon and the players had a chance to look inside Squirrel and Griffin helicopters as well as try their hand at flying two simulators.

Mr Mellon said the visit was mutually beneficial: "We have a great relationship with them and the club has been here many times so it's fantastic to bring some of the players up.

"I want to get out into the community and meet the people who care about the club."

Mr Mellon added: "It's really great to meet the pilots and their skills sets are tremendous. We invite them to come and speak to the lads because they are a great help to us.

"They are very professional and their standards are very high, which is something we are trying to bring into the football club.

"I didn't do very well in the simulator and that shows you just how good these guys are. We had a go at shooting from a helicopter which was fun but we weren't great. We'll definitely be leaving that to the professionals.

"It's important for the players to see elite guys working and the standards they set, and how they want to improve."

Jayson Leutwiler added: "Visiting RAF Shawbury was great for me. I really enjoyed it.

"I was in the Swiss Army and I learnt a lot with them. You learn how to be very disciplined which I think you have to be if you want to be a professional.

"I've got to sit in a helicopter and go on a simulator where you have to anticipate where to shoot. That's great training for me because I am always anticipating where strikers are going to shoot."

The visit was also organised to help promote the understanding of the role of RAF Shawbury and the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS).

Wing Commander Harry Palmer, chief flying instructor from the DHFS at RAF Shawbury, was keen to stress the importance the local community has on the armed forces.

"The forces covenant makes a massive difference.

"Its rubbish when we can't find a way to work with the local community.

"We have had 54,000 movements in recent years and we have got away with it because of you."

To promote the covenant further, Shrewsbury Town, in partnership with Shropshire Council, are hosting an armed forces fan park and match day next Saturday.

It will take place at Greenhous Meadow from 12pm, prior to the club's home game with Burton Albion.

Entry to the fan park will be free and the public will be able to participate in military activities and meet service personnel.

There will be representatives from the Army, Navy and RAF, and visitors will also be able to see military vehicles on display.

Up to 500 tickets will be available to military personnel to attend the League Two match.

Squadron Leader Kim Leach, corporate engagement relations officer at RAF Shawbury, said: "It will be a fun-filled day, and a really great event.

"Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town have joined together to put an event on to say thank you to the armed forces community."

Shropshire Councillor Tim Barker, chairman of the working group of the covenant who also attended Thursday's event, said: "It's been a great day.

"I am very pleased to see the football club supporting the covenant which was set-up to ensure current or former personnel are not disadvantaged.

"The football club has done a great job over the years at working with the armed forces and I am looking forward to the 29th."