Oldham Army Veteran gets his football boots back on

An Army veteran who lives in Oldham is looking forward to getting back to the sport he loves thanks to support from a veterans’ organisation.

Geoff Hargreaves, age 76, who lives in Moorside, had been playing as a mid-fielder for the England Veterans Over 70s Football Team for the past five years, until problems with his hips forced him to stop.  

Geoff, who served in Northern Ireland, was diagnosed with osteo-arthritis in April last year but was facing a long wait for a hip operation until the clinical team at Help for Heroes stepped in and spoke to his consultant.  

Geoff explained: “I’ve been living with the impact of some of the things I saw in Northern Ireland for most of my adult life. I’ve always played football and not being able to play anymore was really getting me down. It was such an honour to play for the England Veterans’ team. 

“I met a member of the clinical team at my local Help for Heroes’ cafe in February and when I explained my situation, they stepped in and spoke to the surgeon's secretary, and I’ve now had my operation. I’ll be transferring to the England Walking Football team when I’ve finished my rehab – and I can’t wait.” 

Geoff is a regular attendee at the Help for Heroes Cafe session, which is held monthly in Mossley.  

He said it was an opportunity for veterans and their family members in the surrounding area to get together with like-minded people, have a chat and a cup of tea, and find out about the support available for people who have served. 

Pictured above: Geoff Hargreaves served with REME and was deployed to Northern Ireland.

Danielle Vyse is part of the clinical team supporting veterans across the Northwest, and described Geoff as a ‘real inspiration’.  

She said: “He does so much for the local community as a volunteer – helping at the Veterans Food Company charity, with different City in the Community initiatives and a local lunch club for over 60s, who live on their own. As a veteran myself, it's great to see him being able to get back to something he loves." 

Geoff added: “For any veterans out there who are struggling with physical, mental or welfare issues, or maybe they’re feeling a bit isolated, I’d say come along to a local Help for Heroes session – it could make a real difference.”  

For more details about Help for Heroes' cafe sessions in the Greater Manchester area visit:  https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help/sports-social-activities/community-taster-sessions/. 

Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps people live well after service. The Charity supports veterans and their families with their physical and mental health, as well as welfare and social needs. It has already supported tens of thousands - and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve.    

The Charity supports veterans and their families from any branch of the UK military, regulars and reserves, irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians who worked under the command of the UK Armed Forces.    

To get support visit helpforheroes.org.uk or call 0300 303 9888.