Chiswick Football Clubs To Play At Buckingham Palace

Polytechnic FC and Civil Service chosen for first ever match at royal residence

Two Chiswick amateur football clubs will go head to head in Buckingham Palace's first ever official football match.

Civil Service FC and Polytechnic FC, two of the country's oldest amateur clubs, will play an "away " match like no other when they line up within the grounds of the royal residence next month.

The 40-acre grounds are more used to hosting garden parties and receptions for celebrity and international guests than sporting events.

The match, part of the Southern Amateur League fixtures, will take place on October 7th and has been set up by the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, who is President of the FA, as part of the Football Association's 150th anniversary celebrations.

Polytechnic FC have just had their best ever season and were the most successful team in the Southern Amateur League, winning six trophies. They are currently recruiting for players of all abilities to join one of their twelve teams, particularly the 1's and 2's squads.

Chairman Barry Madigan appeared on BBC Five Live this morning (September 3) alongside Civil Service's Neil Ward, to talk about the historic event.

Civil Servce, founded in 1863, are the sole surviving club from the eleven which founded the FA, while Polytechnic was founded in 1875.

At the match, Prince William will present 150 volunteers with medals to reward them for their work organising local football.

Nearly half a million people act as volunteers at grassroots level around England every year.

September 3, 2013