England U21's Visiting Colchester Garrison

STUART Pearce and his Young Lions will be visiting Colchester Garrison this weekend, to wish the 16 Air Assault Brigade well on their latest tour of Afghanistan.

The young footballers will visit the Garrison on Sunday 5 September to meet members of the Brigade and their families, just a few weeks before they leave for a six month tour of Afghanistan.

Pearce and his England Under-21 squad are in the famous military town ahead of their fixture with Lithuania at Colchester United`s Weston Homes Community Stadium on Tuesday 7 September (k.o.4pm).

During the visit the England players will get to look at equipment and vehicles as well as viewing combat weaponry. They will be shown round by soldiers who will deploy in the next few weeks to spend six months in Afghanistan, some of whom are on their second or third deployment.

Speaking ahead of the visit England Head Coach Stuart Pearce said:

"I am great personal supporter of our armed forces and the brave work they do for their country, as is The FA as a whole.

"It`s really important that our young players get to see life from different viewpoints and get a wider social education from us.

"Some of the soldiers we`ll be seeing at the Garrison will be as young as these players and if we can show them our appreciation, then it`s an opportunity we should take."

Colchester Garrison Commander, Colonel Tom Fleetwood, said:

"Colchester Garrison thoroughly appreciates the support of The FA and the U-21 England Football Team. This visit will mean a lot to the soldiers of 16 Air Assault Brigade, as they draw close to their forthcoming deployment to Afghanistan on Op HERRICK 13"


Furthermore, The FA will be donating tickets for the Lithuania fixture to troops at the Garrison.

Tickets for the match at Colchester United are available from via the Colchester United Ticket Office in person, on 0845 437 9089, via the club`s ticket website www.colutickets.com, or from the club`s town centre shop U`s Central on Sir Isaac`s Walk, Colchester.

A discount applies for groups of 15 or more, with prices reduced to £5 (adults) and £2.50 (concessions). For more information call 0845 437 9089, or email ticketing@colchesterunited.net