We’re proud to support the Armed Forces Week and events that will take place over this weekend!
The football club will be involved in it all, so much so, we’d like to provide a description of the weekend given to us by the organisation running these events across the week, and what it all means for this country, this town and our club!
The UK Armed Forces are working around the clock to keep Britain secure at home, and strong abroad.
Personnel in the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force are the first line of defence against a range of new threats to our national security – from cyberattacks on defence infrastructure, to espionage by hostile states.
In 2026 alone, our sailors have been tracking Russia’s warships and spy submarines in and around British waters. Our soldiers have been guarding NATO’s eastern border from Russian aggression and our aviators have been thwarting attacks by Iranian drones in the Middle East. And they’re doing much more besides.
The UK Armed Forces are rapidly adapting to meet the challenges of modern warfare. Drones, AI, and autonomous technologies are being integrated into British battle plans alongside the conventional ‘heavy metal’ of tanks and warships. Stronger international alliances are being forged to tackle the major security crises of our times, with the UK Armed Forces taking a leading role in efforts to deter Russian aggression, secure the Strait of Hormuz and ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine. Armed Forces Week is our chance to thank the military community for all they do.
Reserves Day falls this year on 24 June 2026.
The Reserve Forces make up approximately one sixth of the UK military and are integral to protecting national security, particularly providing capability in specialist areas such as medical and cyber. More than 37,000 reservists give up their spare time to serve, from journalists and engineers, to lawyers and financial analysts. They enjoy perks including special paid leave, sports and adventure training, travel and additional qualifications. Thousands of UK organisations recognise the skills reservists can bring to
civilian employment and are supporting them by signing the Armed Forces Covenant and joining the Employer Recognition Scheme. As part of plans to boost national resilience, the Ministry of Defence is
working to increase the UK’s Active Reserve and reinvigorate its Strategic Reserve.
There are around two million military veterans in the United Kingdom, ranging from those who fought in the Second World War, to those who have served in more recent operations in the Falklands, Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) leads UK Government efforts to help veterans thrive post-service. In its recently published Veterans Strategy, it recognised ex-forces personnel as a national asset whose contributions to national security, civilian society and the economy should be celebrated and supported. The OVA is helping veterans to fulfil their potential post-service through initiatives including Op ASCEND, a free, government-funded careers advice service for veterans and their families.
The Career Transition Partnership, the official resettlement service of the Ministry of Defence, also connects employers with thousands of service leavers who enter the civilian job market each year.
More than 138,500 cadets make up the UK’s five Cadet Forces, supported by nearly 28,000 adult volunteers. The cadet organisations provide opportunities for young people to develop key life and career-building skills and gain valuable vocational qualifications. The adult volunteers who are central to delivering the amazing cadet activities also benefit, as they find new ways to give back to their local communities and develop a range of skills that will serve them beyond their cadet role.
The Government pledged in its Strategic Defence Review to expand Cadet Forces by 30% by 2030, in recognition of its positive social impact and wide-ranging benefits to both cadets and adults.
