Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium to host charity football match for five soliders killed in Afghanistan

Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium is to play host to a charity football match in aid of five British soldiers killed by a rogue policeman in Afghanistan.
By Darren Burke
Published 28th Jan 2020, 11:58 BST
Updated 28th Jan 2020, 16:01 BST
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The event, which will take place later this year, will see a team of ex-military personnel take on Sands United FC, a Doncaster based charity football team fielding players who have lost a child either through miscarriage, still birth or neo-natal death.

The full 90 minute match on May 24 will see money raised split between The Army Benovelent Fund and Sands United Doncaster, with a team from Trupart Automotive representing the five soliders who all died in 2009.

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On November 3 of that year, the group were all killed in Nad-e-Ali in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith (top left) Corporal Steven Boote (bottom left) Guardsman James Major (middle), Sergeant Matthew Telford (top right) and Warrant Officer Darren Chant (bottom right) all died in the attack in 2009.Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith (top left) Corporal Steven Boote (bottom left) Guardsman James Major (middle), Sergeant Matthew Telford (top right) and Warrant Officer Darren Chant (bottom right) all died in the attack in 2009.
Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith (top left) Corporal Steven Boote (bottom left) Guardsman James Major (middle), Sergeant Matthew Telford (top right) and Warrant Officer Darren Chant (bottom right) all died in the attack in 2009.

They were visiting the village of Shin Kalay, had returned from patrol, removed their body armour and were drinking tea when an Afghan policeman, known as Gulbuddin, opened fire with his AK-47 with no warning.

The five soldiers killed were Warrant Officer Class 1 Darren Chant, 40, Sergeant Matthew Telford, 37, and Guardsman Jimmy Major, 18, from the Grenadier Guards, Corporal Steven Boote, 22, and Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith, 24, from the Royal Military Police also died.

Although the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, military sources denied it, saying the Taliban had made similar claims over other “rogue” Afghan attacks.

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Coroner David Ridley said the UK failed in its duty to the five.

He recorded a verdict of unlawful killing but concluded that the attack could not have been predicted.

A spokesman for Sands United said: “Trupart have ex army personnel working for them and playing in their team - some of whom served with the five soldiers who tragically had their lives taken away from them.

“Our players are out to earn their place for whats sure to be a momentous occasion for all.

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Gates for the game will open at 2.30pm with kick-off at 3.30pm.

Prices are £5 for adults and £2 for under 16s. A family ticket, which admits two adults and two under 16s is also available, priced at £10.

Tickets are available to purchase in advance from Ryan on 07956152424 or John on 07508903176.

Related topics:DoncasterKeepmoat StadiumAfghanistan