It’s been a standout week for our Military Veterans programme at Burnley FC in the Community – a week that showcased not only the power of sport, but the strength of community, connection, and shared purpose.
Bringing Clubs Together: The Veterans in Sport Standards Conference
Nationally, we were proud to host the first-ever Veterans in Sport Standards Conference, bringing together representatives from 18 sports clubs across the UK.
The event provided a platform to:
- Share best practice
- Showcase our own veterans programme
- Strengthen collaboration between clubs
- Explore how we can collectively enhance support for veterans and their families
We were joined by inspiring speakers from the Veterans’ Foundation, Forces Wellbeing Collective, and EFL in the Community, each offering valuable insight into how we can continue to grow and improve our work.
A Hard‑Fought Fixture on the Pitch
On Sunday, our BFCitC Military Veterans squad welcomed Stockport County FC Military Veterans for a competitive and spirited match. Both teams gave everything, producing a fantastic game that went right down to the wire.
We were proud to come away with a 4–3 victory, but even prouder of the sportsmanship, camaraderie, and respect shown on both sides.
A huge thank you to Mark Ward MC and the Stockport team for making it such an enjoyable and meaningful occasion — exactly what Veterans football is all about.
We’re also grateful to our sponsors, Thorne Fire & Security Ltd and Coalition Facilities Management LTD, whose support helps make opportunities like this possible.
Shining a National Spotlight
Beyond the match, we were delighted to welcome BFBS Forces News, who visited to see first-hand how our Veterans project supports former service personnel and their families here in the local community.
Their feature also explored how our national Veterans in Sport work is helping clubs across the country build similar programmes and strengthen their own support networks.
Working Stronger. Better. Together.
This week has been a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when organisations, communities, and individuals unite behind a shared mission.
We’re proud of the progress being made – locally and nationally – and even more excited about what comes next.
To find out more about our Veterans programme and how to get involved, please contact Veterans’ Officer David (Billy): d.benson@burnleyfc.com
Our Veterans programme is kindly supported by:
The Veterans’ Foundation | Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust | Armed Forces Community HQ
Thorne Fire & Security Ltd