Yahoo News Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service football team wins two national cups
The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) football team has won two national cups.
After a round trip of 650 miles, 17 off-duty firefighters have come back to the North East with two competition wins.
First off, on May 9, the team travelled from the Service Headquarters in Washington down to Nottingham to play London Fire Brigade in the English Open Age Final. The team won 4-1, with Alex Francis receiving the Player of the Match Award.
Then, on May 16, they packed their bags and travelled to Scotland to play Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service in the British Open Age Final at Falkirk Stadium. The closely fought game saw TWFRS FC emerge victorious, winning the match 5-3, with Glen Hargrave receiving the Player of the Match Award.
This was the first time in 20 years that a TWFRS football team has appeared in a national final, and the first time in their history that they’ve achieved the cup double. The age range of the firefighters in the squad is between 21 and 44, and this wouldn't have been possible without the support of fellow firefighters, who covered the football players’ shifts across Tyne and Wear during the cup matches.
Stewart Nicholson, Deputy Chief Fire Officer at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We are extremely proud of the achievements of our service football team. To win two national accolades in eight days shows outstanding team spirit and togetherness.
"It’s always been their desire to win. The hard work the team has put in during their training was shown on the pitch and brought home the much-deserved trophies."
Firefighter Keith Foster has been the team's manager for the past ten years, as well as playing for the side for over two decades. Keith, 44, also pulled on the shirt as player-manager for Thursday’s British Open Age Group Final in Falkirk.
Keith added: “It has been amazing, the past eight days have been a real whirlwind with two great results. The firefighters have put their heart and soul into those performances and were proud to represent Tyne and Wear in both finals.
"Winning these trophies is a testament to the great efforts put in by the players, and to be crowned the best fire service football team in the British Isles is the icing on the cake. For the team to achieve the cup double and make history for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service is fantastic."
