FIGHTING talk has started before a football match between ex-professional footballers and servicemen.
A team made up of players from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force will take on the Nottingham All-Stars at Hucknall Town Football Club at 7pm on Thursday, June 27, to celebrate Armed Forces Day.
Craig Armstrong, who played for Nottingham Forest between 1992 and 1999, is taking part in the match and said: "We want to win – as ex-players we don't like losing.
"I'm sure there will be a competitive edge and they will try and put one over on us!
"I'm sure that a lot of them will be a lot fitter than a lot of us, so it will be interesting – hopefully the experience will shine through."
Other confirmed players for the Nottingham All-Stars team include former Nottingham Forest footballers Des Walker and Steve Hodge, as well as Notts County players Tommy Johnson and Lawrie Duffield.
The Combined Services team chairman Lt Col (Ret'd) Mick Cotton said his team had experience players and he was certain it would be "a hard-fought match".
He added: "Football is the most widely enjoyed game in the military. It is the 'servicemen's sport'.
"The whole team is looking forward to playing against some of Nottingham's well-known sporting heroes.
"It is a privilege, not only to be invited to play, but also to be a part of our Armed Forces Day celebrations."
The match has been organised by Nottingham City Council in conjunction with Hucknall Town FC as part of the Armed Forces Day celebrations.
Mr Armstrong added: "It's for a good cause and I always enjoy playing these matches, because no matter who wins it benefits someone."
City councillor Dave Trimble said: "Nottingham is incredibly honoured to host the 2013 Armed Forces Day and this one-off football match will be a fantastic event for all to enjoy."
Tickets are still available for £5 from Hucknall Town Football Club, the ticket offices at Nottingham Forest and Notts County, and at the nine city council run leisure centres as well as the council house in Old Market Square.
All locations are operating a cash-only system for this match and children aged four and under go free when accompanied by a full-paying adult.
