LIONS BREAK NEW GROUND

Festival first as England C take on Nepal

ENGLAND C are to play host to Nepal in a landmark friendly at Aldershot Town this May.

The National League Shots will host the fixture on Monday, May 25 to mark a week-long festival of football celebrating diversity.

Aldershot and the surrounding area is home to nearly 10,000 Nepalese people, while both teams will also visit local primary schools and hold open training sessions in the buildup to the game.

Paul Fairclough’s England side, who also take on Wales C in March, will be looking to end the 2019-20 season on a high with Under-23 players in NonLeague eligible for selection.

The matchday will also inturing clude stalls hosted by various organisations, including the Hampshire FA, Army FA, Sahara UK and the UK Nepal Friendship Society. All will provide guidance to those attending on how to get involved in the game across various levels.

The day before sees the Gurkha Cup being held at the EBB Stadium, the competition feathe Gurkha’s Army side and local teams.

Laurence Jones, The FA’s Head of National League Game System, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for both national associations to show what football truly is for all. Asian inclusion and celebrating diversity more widely are a key focus for The FA and, having recently met with the President and senior officials of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), and the Nepali Minister for Youth and Sport, we share their excitement. “We’re looking forward to sharing this experience with the local community in Aldershot.”

All Nepal Football Association President Karma Tsering Sherpa added: “We are pleased to share this partnership with The FA in order to develop our ties for the promotion and development of football. For us, it’s a good opportunity.”

Match tickets will be on sale at www.theshots. co.uk – adults £10, £5 for kids under 16 and those aged over 65.