Herefordshire FA’s military veterans football team were delighted when former England and Aston Villa striker, Emile Heskey made a surprise visit to their training session this week.

The FA organised the visit to celebrate the club’s commitment to creating fun, casual and social ways for players of all abilities to turn up and get involved in football – an initiative that has made a meaningful difference to veterans within the local community.

Herefordshire FA was among the top one per cent of Just Play providers in the country, delivering over 60 sessions for military and Blue Light players since July 2024.

Heskey, who earned 62 caps for England and now works as head of women's football development at Leicester City, spent two hours with the club, playing football and chatting with players. The FA also supplied each player with a football to be personally signed by Heskey as a keepsake.

Representing The FA at the event, Emile Heskey said: “It's good fun for the for everyone involved - getting out there and getting some exercise and being inclusive… joyful and part of something. It's great that ex-military can come together and be part of a community.”

When asked about the reaction to him turning up, Heskey said: “I think the reaction was very surprised…there's a few Liverpool fans so it's great to see them coming out here and enjoying their football.”

The club – which is sponsored by Help For Heroes to make the sessions free – was created by Paul Vicary, a veteran of 35 years’ service, to provide veterans the opportunity for regular physical activity and support positive mental wellbeing due to the area’s strong military connections.

Help For Heroes veteran liaison officer and team founder, Paul Vicary said: “This began as an idea, then a collaboration between Help for Heroes, Herefordshire FA and local charities delivering a weekly football programme which genuinely supports our military veteran and blue-light community. Watching it evolve is something I’m incredibly proud of as a military veteran myself.

“To be recognised by the FA as being in the top 1 per cent of community groups - and selected for a national prize - means a great deal to the team. It reflects not only the hard work that goes into running these sessions but also the commitment and spirit of everyone who takes part.”

If you are interested in joining - or running your own – Just Play football sessions, find out more here.