Army to visit Bootham Crescent on Saturday

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York City Football Club’s fight to stay in the Football League will be boosted on Saturday when they invite the Army to Bootham Crescent to cheer on the home team. Members of 246 Gurkha Signal Squadron will be supporting the Minstermen whilst collecting money for their Gurkha Signals Veterans Remembrance Fund.

The Fund is aiming to raise £15,000 to bring 20 veterans from Nepal to take part in the annual Remembrance Day commemorations. Following successful collections in York city centre and more recently completing a gruelling 4650 mile charity bike ride, this will be the Squadron's last fundraising event.

The soldiers will be placed at strategic points around the ground before kick off and again at half time. The teams will be piped onto the pitch before the game by a Queen's Gurkha Signals Piper, who will also entertain the crowd at the interval. And if anyone ever wanted to taste some traditional Nepalese food, there will be a small tent behind the main stand selling momos and aludam specialities.

Major Ade Clewlow, the Gurkha Signal Squadron Commander said, "The support from the public has been tremendous throughout our appeal and the Football Club has been great for giving us this opportunity. As this will be our last fundraising event, I hope that we reach our target and York City reaches their goal with a vital home win."

York City Communications Director Sophie McGill said, “We are pleased to assist the Gurkha Signal Squadron in their fundraising efforts. Their presence at Bootham Crescent on Saturday will be a unique and welcome addition to the day.

McGill added, “The City faithful are really getting behind the team in our fight to stay in the League and hopefully the Gurkhas will give the boys an added boost and will help to raise both confidence and morale.”

City’s important home game against Cheltenham on Saturday kick-off at 3.00pm, but the Club is urging fans to arrive early and show support for the Gurkha signal Squadron’s fundraising efforts.