More than a game – Flixton FC donate to Trafford’s veterans
A grassroots football rivalry forged over decades of fierce competition is uniting the local community and paying homage to the area’s local heroes this week.
Flixton FC and Trafford FC face off on Tuesday 24th February at Trafford’s Shawe view stadium, the local derby putting pride, history, and neighbourhood bragging rights on the line.
With the stadiums sitting on each others doorstep- only 1.6 miles apart- the clubs have been head-to-head in heated competition since the birth of Trafford FC in the early 1990s. Tuesday’s game will be a proper local showdown under the heat of the floodlights.
Both sides are are determined and committed to victory with Flixton stating that the rivalry is back- ‘we want as many Flixton lions there to roar the boys on’
‘Cancel all plans and get behind the gaffer and the boys’
With three triumphant wins under their belt, sitting firmly in an exciting new era after their resurgence, Flixton FC are clearly hungry for this win against Northern Premier league giants, Trafford FC. But the biggest win will be off the pitch this week, as both teams have agreed that donations from the game will be going to local organisation, Trafford veterans.
Created in 2015, the group supports armed forces veterans and emergency service personnel living in Trafford through different events, activities, and volunteering opportunities, to break down the barriers they may face in civilian life.
Trafford veterans aim to tackle social isolation with weekly group meals and are a listening ear for members who may face difficulties with physical or mental health conditions.
They also help with funeral planning and costs and finding employment opportunities, even buying suits for job interviews; Trafford veterans support their members in every aspect they might need.
Nurses and ambulance staff also make up a large part of the group, fostering a community where they can provide mutual support and uphold one another through different struggles they may face.
The Royal College of Nursing found that due to the pressures inside the NHS, ‘the equivalent of a week off work was taken by every single one of the health service’s 350,000 nurses in 2023 due to stress, anxiety, and depression.’ Proving that community is needed in these groups more than ever.
Claire Wright, one of the members of the organisation, said that Trafford veterans provide a ‘local footprint’ compared to other military organisations that is essential to integrating veterans back into the community. ‘One minute they could be on an airfield with bullets flying around them, and the next minute they’re back in the area having to adjust back into normal life.’
Claire, and other members of the group will be attending the match along with community members eager to raise donations for the veterans. The football match is a clash fuelled by years of rivalry, putting the two teams against each-other yet again, but this time they are united by the goal of charity and giving back to the pillars of the community.
‘One minute they could be on an airfield with bullets flying around them, and the next minute they’re back in the area having to adjust back into normal life.’
Claire Wright, Trafford Veterans
Tuesday’s game is a heartwarming example of football inspiring community spirit and perfectly embodies Flixton FC’s values- community, pride, purpose.consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.