FA celebrates its 125th anniversary

THE ALDERSHOT DIVISIONAL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (ADFA) celebrated its 125th anniversary with a match between British Army and Camberley Town.

The ADFA is one of the six divisions of ‘county parent’ Hampshire Football Association and was founded on August 9 1894.

The first president of the association was Lt. General HRH Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and has always had very close links with the Army.

On August 9 2019, the organisation was exactly 125 years old and was celebrated with a dinner hosted at Aldershot Town FC.

Many distinguished guests and speakers were in attendance including Aldershot Town manager Danny Searle, chairman Shahid Azeem and a number of former players and managers.

As part of the year of celebrations, Camberley Town, the current holders of the Aldershot DFA Senior Cup, recently played against the British Army at the Military Stadium.

On the night the Army ran out 5-0 winners in a very entertaining match that was not as one-sided as the scoreline might suggest. Prior to the match, cheque presentations were made to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care of £1,110 and to the Royal British Legion of £1,000.

Leanne Magee, community fundraiser at Phyllis Tuckwell, said: “We are so grateful to the ADFA for their support as they celebrated their 125th anniversary.

“Such a generous donation could pay for a week’s care from one of our inpatient nurses, who will be caring for up to five patients, providing relief from pain and difficult symptoms in a peaceful environment at the hospice.

“Without the support from those in our community, such as the ADFA, we really wouldn’t be able to continue our care free of charge to individuals and their families, so a huge thank you to everyone for their fundraising and the awareness they raise for Phyllis Tuckwell.”

After the match, immediate past president Eddie Spraggett was presented an award for his outstanding and dedicated service to the association by Hampshire FA president John Benfield.