Armed Forces offered free tickets for Notts County v Carlisle United

The free tickets are a thank you from the club for the work the Armed Forces has done and continues to do on behalf of the Nation.

Notts County CEO Jim Rodwell explained: “Notts County Football Club have nothing but respect for the Armed Forces and the work that they do to preserve our safety and freedom, both at home and overseas.

“Over the years we have heard from a number of active service personnel who are Notts County fans and have been impressed by the lengths that some will go to in order to be able to follow the club’s fortunes whilst away on active duty.

“It is therefore our pleasure to be able to give something back to these very special men and women and offer them free tickets to what we hope will be an enjoyable and entertaining afternoon of football here at Meadow Lane.”

Veterans and serving personnel can claim their tickets by producing their MOD90 ID card or veterans badge to the Notts County Ticket Office on Meadow Lane. Kick off is at 3pm.

The match ball will be laid by Pinxton soldier, Private Jack Hawksley. A member of the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment, Jack sustained serious injuries whilst serving in Afghanistan on Op HERRICK in 2012.

Prior to the match visitors can walk around a range of military equipment that will be on display outside the grounds and meet some of city’s TA soldiers including soldiers from 100 Regiment Royal Artillery, the Royal Yeomanry, 4 Mercian Regiment, 38 Signal Regiment and 73 Engineer Regiment.

Captain Rob Millar, of the East Midlands Armed Forces Outreach Team, said: “This is a great gesture by Notts County that will be appreciated by all Armed Forces personnel past and present.

“It will no doubt be a great match and we invite all the supporters to come along and talk to their local TA soldiers outside the stadium. We have a wide range of TA across the county, from engineers to artillery, signallers to infantry. People may be surprised by what they learn.”

The Army Cadet Force will also be attending the event to collect donations on behalf of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SAFFA) . SSAFA Forces has been helping the Armed Forces and their families for over 125 years. The charity provides financial, practical and emotional assistance to anyone that is currently serving or has ever served in the Army, Navy or RAF, and their families.

Colonel Mike Cheetham, secretary of the local SSAFA branch, said: “We’re really grateful to Notts County for helping us make this event happen. SSAFA is a well-established charity that helps people who dedicated their time to the armed forces – be it a day or 30 years.”