VIDEO: Young Lions meet the 'real heroes'

Sunday, 05 September, 2010 

England experience life on the frontline with visit to Army Barracks.

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Click here to watch the video of the trip on FATV.

Two days after coming through their battle with Portugal, England’s Under-21 players experienced what life would be like in the real theatre of conflict.

During preparations for their final Euro 2011 Group Nine qualifier in Colchester, Stuart Pearce’s men paid a visit to the town’s Merville Barracks home to 16 Air Assault Brigade, who are soon to be deployed to Afghanistan on a six-month operation.

Having already shown their support for the soldiers by offering all personnel free tickets to Tuesday’s must-win game against Lithuania, the England Team coach arrived at the Garrison gates on Sunday afternoon where they were greeted by Major David Casey. He boarded the bus to explain the afternoon’s schedule; a tour of the barracks, a meet and greet with regiment troops and a chance to experience the frontline in the rifle simulator and with the bomb disposal unit.

But first, a team photo in front of the Barracks' Second World War Dakota transport aircraft, that welcomes all visitors through the gates.

Back on board the coach, Major Casey continued to explain the role of the brigade who will see 3,000 troops head into battle over the next month.

After passing the building for the Band of the Parachute Regiment, Griffin House - HQ for 16 Air Assault Brigade, the impressive Education buildings and the Court Marshall and Detention centres - the coach pulled up outside the indoor rifle range where troops had set up displays of equipment that will be used at war. The party separated into small groups to take turns in trying on and testing some of the kit.

On-loan Burnley midfielder Jack Cork put on the bomb disposal suit, similar to that used in the Academy Award-winning movie The Hurt Locker.

“It’s roasting, really hot and heavy on the front,” said Cork as his Chelsea club-mate Michael Mancienne added: “It looks like it weighs a ton. I don’t know how they wear it in that heat.”

There were also samples of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a weapon favoured by terrorists, that were hidden inside books, DVDs, and lunchboxes.

“You see a book, you open it and that’s you gone. It’s scary what some terrorists can come up with,” added Mancienne.

Meanwhile Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba was undergoing a rigorous exam by the army’s medical team, who demonstrated how the use of tourniquets and shellfish gauze can save soldiers in a warzone who have lost limbs in the line of duty.

“To see the troops and how they work was a good lesson and the equipment they use is fascinating," said Muamba. "He was throwing me around, but he was showing us how the military do their stuff so it was a great experience for us.”

Players and staff also got a look at some of the weapons used by our soldiers; assault rifles, sniper rifles and the brand new grenade gun. And there was the chance to actually try the arms out inside the battle simulator. Described as a big version of video game Call of Duty, the players lay down on the floor in their groups and took aim at the big screen, awaiting the dust from a friendly bomb to clear, before opening fire on the advancing desert enemy.

“The people who were helping us do it, that’s their life and it’s kind of scary,” said goalkeeper Frank Fielding. “That was just a computer image, but they do that on a daily basis for real.”

Cork added: “It’s been really good and I’ve learned a lot here. I’ve heard about a lot of this, but never seen it, so it’s been very interesting. I was on the pistol so I didn’t get a score. All the other boys were on the big guns, but it was a good experience.”

After a break for the English tradition of afternoon tea with the troops and their families, there was just time for some autographs and a photo with the football team of 2 Para, who proudly showed off the Army Football Cup they won earlier this year.

“I am a great personal supporter of our Armed Forces and the brave work they do for their country, as is The FA as a whole,” said England Coach Pearce. “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 saw at the Garrison were as young as these players and the chance to show them our appreciation was a fantastic opportunity for us. We wish them well on their tour.”

Colchester Garrison Commander, Colonel Tom Fleetwood, added: “Colchester Garrison thoroughly appreciates the support of The FA and the England Under-21s. 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."

And two and a half hours after arriving at Merville Barracks the players were given a good send off by the troops ahead of their important match at Colchester United on Tuesday night and Fielding summed the afternoon up nicely.

“It was interesting to see what their perspective was on going to Afghanistan,” he said. “It’s been a good day and these are the proper heroes. If we can give something back that is good all round."

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 e-mail ticketing@colchesterunited.net

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