The opening of St. George’s Park was marked by a special flypast featuring three military helicopters.

The Royal Air Force Football Association (RAFFA) expressed their pride at beginning greater engagement with The FA and the National Football Centre through a partnership between the two organisations which will continue into the future.

The RAFFA, through the assistance of the Defence Helicopter Flying School (DHFS) at RAF Shawbury, were pleased to be able to provide a flypast of three Squirrel helicopters led by Flight Lieutenant Andy Inman of 705 Naval Air Squadron.

The unit is a tri-service unit and is the closest RAF flying unit to St. George’s Park. DHFS train all Military helicopter pilots and crewmen and the flypast is part of a training sortie by aircraft from the airbase.

The Armed Services, through their FA Councillors and County FAs, are pleased to continue to offer support to The FA and are delighted to be associated with St. George’s Park.

Squadron Leader Neil Hope MBE (RAF FA Councillor) said: “I am pleased that the link between the elite training taking place at both the Defence Helicopter Flying School and St. George’s Park is continuing to grow.

“The quality of training provided at RAF Shawbury through DHFS and the Central Air Traffic Control School are considered to be of the very best worldwide.

"We are very pleased to be associated with St. George’s Park as it opens its doors to the elite England teams, thus proving that great teamwork will produce the very best results.

“We also look forward to joining forces with St. George’s Park as part of Armed Forces Day, due to take place next June in Nottingham.”

David Sheepshanks, Chairman of St. George’s Park, added: “We are delighted the RAFFA have seen fit to mark this special occasion with a flypast.

"It means a great deal to The FA and everyone at St. George’s Park. The FA is a great supporter of the armed services and its personnel.”