HMS PRINCE OF WALES (PWLS) Football Club competed in a wide range of football activity during their recent port visit to the home of the World Champions and one of their two affiliated cities; Liverpool.

Having achieved FA Charter Standard status, the football club onboard the Queen Elizabeth Class Carrier is determined to provide footballing opportunities to all of the Ship’s Company. This visit was a fantastic example of this with four teams competing in varying formats of the game.

First up were the HMS PWLS FC Over 35s Masters team who were invited to Liverpool Football Club’s Academy to compete in a friendly match against Liverpool FC Military Veterans.  In a very competitive fixture the hosts ran out eventual 3-0 winners.

Next was a six-a-side tournament hosted by Everton Football Club at their Community Hub’s Johan Cruyff Court between sides representing HMS PWLS FC 2^nd XI and HMS PWLS FC Over 35s Masters and two teams from Tom Harrison House, one of the Ship’s affiliates who provide support to Armed Forces Veterans.

The tournament was extremely close with the HMS PWLS FC Over 35s Masters winning overall, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament.  The game was followed by a fantastic stadium tour of Goodison Park, hosted superbly by the staff at Everton Football Club.

Next was the first competitive outing for the newly formed HMS PWLS FC Women’s team who were invited to take part in an evening of Futsal at the University of Liverpool.  It was an extremely positive session in which the Ship’s players learnt quickly, playing against and alongside accomplished University players that are currently achieving national acclaim in this format of the game. 

The third day of football began with one of two organised stadium tours of the famous home of the Current World Club Champions, Liverpool Football Club.  This unique opportunity was extremely popular amongst the Ship’s Company and gave an amazing ‘behind the scenes’ insight at Anfield.

That evening HMS PWLS FC 1^st XI took on local side Harrison’s Bar FC, who included a number of ex-professional players including ex-Liverpool and England Centre Forward Ricky Lambert, ex-Newcastle United star Ryan Taylor and ex-Everton Winger Stuart Barlow.  The ex-pros were phenomenal and playing against them provided an amazing experience for the PWLS players.  A couple of highlights in a 9-1 home win was a 40 yard chip by Rick Lambert and a thunderous 30 yard strike into the top corner from Ryan Taylor. 

Lifelong Bristol Rovers fan and PWLS First Team Manager, CPO Andrew ‘Duchy’ Duchesne came on for a final ten minute cameo to play against Lambert, who is one of his all-time Rovers idols.