Burnley FC in the Community and its Military Veterans Project marked a historic milestone last week by hosting their first-ever International Veterans Football Tournament. The four-day event brought together military veterans from across the globe to celebrate sport, service, and international camaraderie.
Teams representing England, Norway, Denmark, and the United States arrived in Burnley for a packed schedule of football matches and cultural exchange. The tournament began on Thursday 12 June, with an opening ceremony where each team proudly sang their national anthem. Burnley Veterans kicked off the competition with a 2–1 win over Norway.
The full match results were as follows:
- Burnley 2 – 1 Norway
- USA 1 – 5 Denmark
- USA 1 – 1 Norway
- Burnley 0 – 5 Denmark
- Burnley 0 – 5 USA
While the matches were fiercely contested, the tournament’s greatest achievements were found off the pitch. Veterans shared stories, laughter, and built lasting friendships, highlighting the power of sport to unite people across borders and backgrounds.
Participants also enjoyed a range of cultural and social activities, including traditional northern meals such as pie, peas and gravy, and fish and chips, as well as a popular curry night. The itinerary featured a visit to a local under-13s cricket match, and a full tour of Turf Moor Stadium and the Burnley FC Training Ground.
The event also featured inspiring guest speakers, including Stuart Hunt, Director at Burnley Football Club; Gregg Stevenson MBE, who shared his powerful life story and displayed his Olympic gold medal; and Sandy from SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
The Mayor of Burnley, Paul Reynolds, and Mayoress Gail Barton hosted a special reception, providing a platform to discuss veterans’ issues on local, national, and international levels.
This tournament follows previous international visits to Norway in 2023 and Denmark in 2024, with Burnley proudly joining the list in 2025. Organisers now hope the United States will host the next edition in 2026.
“This event proves what can be achieved when we come together,” said Veterans Officer, Billy Benson. “Football has once again shown its power to connect, support, and empower our veterans. It’s a week that will live long in the memories of everyone who attended.”
We extend a heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, speakers and visiting teams for making the event possible and creating something truly special for the community.
