Date switch for Doncaster fundraising football match for five soldiers killed in Afghanistan

A charity football match in aid of five British soldiers killed in Afghanistan and due to be held in Doncaster later this year has moved to a new date.
By Darren Burke
Published 26th Feb 2020, 14:17 BST
Updated 2nd Mar 2020, 12:25 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The event, which will now take place on May 2 and which was originally scheduled for May 24, will see a team of ex-military personnel take on Sands United FC, a Doncaster based charity football team fielding players who have lost a child either through miscarriage, still birth or neo-natal death.

The full 90 minute match will see money raised split between The Army Benovelent Fund and Sands United Doncaster, with a team from Trupart Automotive representing the five soliders who all died in 2009.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On November 3 of that year, the group were all killed in Nad-e-Ali in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith (top left) Corporal Steven Boote (bottom left) Guardsman James Major (middle), Sergeant Matthew Telford (top right) and Warrant Officer Darren Chant (bottom right) all died in the attack in 2009.Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith (top left) Corporal Steven Boote (bottom left) Guardsman James Major (middle), Sergeant Matthew Telford (top right) and Warrant Officer Darren Chant (bottom right) all died in the attack in 2009.
Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith (top left) Corporal Steven Boote (bottom left) Guardsman James Major (middle), Sergeant Matthew Telford (top right) and Warrant Officer Darren Chant (bottom right) all died in the attack in 2009.

They were visiting the village of Shin Kalay, had returned from patrol, removed their body armour and were drinking tea when an Afghan policeman, known as Gulbuddin, opened fire with his AK-47 with no warning.

The five soldiers killed were Warrant Officer Class 1 Darren Chant, 40, Sergeant Matthew Telford, 37, and Guardsman Jimmy Major, 18, from the Grenadier Guards, Corporal Steven Boote, 22, and Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith, 24, from the Royal Military Police also died.

Although the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, military sources denied it, saying the Taliban had made similar claims over other “rogue” Afghan attacks.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coroner David Ridley recorded a verdict of unlawful killing but concluded that the attack could not have been predicted.

A spokesman for Sands United said: “Trupart have ex army personnel working for them and playing in their team - some of whom served with the five soldiers who tragically had their lives taken away from them.

“Our players are out to earn their place for whats sure to be a momentous occasion for all.

Gates for the game will open at 2.30pm with kick-off at 3.30pm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Prices are £5 for adults and £2 for under 16s. A family ticket, which admits two adults and two under 16s is also available, priced at £10.

Tickets are available to purchasefrom Ryan on 07956152424 or John on 07508903176.

Related topics:DoncasterAfghanistan