As part of our 140th year anniversary game against Preston NE at the weekend, both the Club and its charity, the Community Trust, showed their support for the armed forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
The aim of the Covenant is to show support for the armed forces in the local area through providing employment and volunteering opportunities, promoting events such as Remembrance Day and Armed Forces Day, as well as putting on activities such as veterans breakfast clubs and coffee mornings.
The Covenant was officially signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence by Lieutenant Colonel Tim Holland, and on behalf of Stockport County by Chief Operating Officer, Tom Mahon. A separate Covenant was also signed on behalf of the Trust, by Trust CEO, Alison Warwood.
In addition to the signatories, the club also welcomed a number of additional dignitaries to the game, including Vice Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Sharman Birtles and husband Grahame Birtles, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Paul Brearley, Mayor of Stockport, Graham Greenhalgh and Stockport Councillor with cabinet responsibility for veterans and community, Frankie Singleton.
Tom Mahon, County COO, said:
“We were delighted to be able to sign the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of the club and the Community Trust, to show our support for those that have served our country in the armed forces and those that continue to do so. We look forward to working with a number of local military organisations moving forward, including the newly formed SAFCO (Stockport Armed Forces Community Organisation) who will be leading on many activities involving the armed forces in the Stockport area”.
Sharman Birtles, Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester said:
“I am delighted to have witnessed the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant at Stockport County. Members of our armed forces who have served this Nation deserve our full support and fair treatment. The Covenant helps to ensure this happens and the citizens of Stockport should be very proud of their local football club for recognising this obligation”.
