It’s a world cup win for England as the veteran team lifted the trophy on the final day – and among them was WYFRS Fire Officer - Simeon Bambrook. Simeon, who is Assistant District Commander at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS), was thrilled when the finals in Thailand saw the England Veterans walk away with the cup.
The father-of-two has been involved in football from a young age when he played in the Youth Team at Leeds United. He said the atmosphere at the stadium in Bangkok was incredible for the close final as England played Iran.
“We spent a week out in Thailand playing matches against Indonesia, Thailand, New Zealand, and then Australia in the semi-finals,” said Simeon Bambrook, adding “It was incredible as we won each game and then the finals saw us win 1:0 against Iran in a hard-fought game.”
UK Armed Forces Football team
The team is made up of ex-pro and ex-non-league players from England aged 40 and above
The team is made up of ex-pro and ex-non-league players from England aged 40 and above. The rules include that certain age ranges must be on the pitch at the same time, and Simeon is in the over-50s group.
In the past, he has played for the UK Armed Forces Football team and has been semi-pro since at Farsley Celtic, Guiseley AFC, and Endsleigh Football Club.
Now, he plays for Harrogate Veterans FC, where the Manager is also the England Veterans Team Manager. The Seniors World Cup sees players spend ten days in Thailand playing football and visiting schools where they do coaching and hand out T-shirts.
Back to West Yorkshire victorious
ADC Bambrook, who plays center mid-field, said: “This is the first time I’ve played in the Seniors World Cup and it was a brilliant ten days. The England team is made up of a squad of 24 players, that have traveled in from across the world to play for England-there is also the management and physiotherapists."
He adds, “It’s not easy to get away for that length of time when you have work and a family – we have to get the go-ahead from our wives, but it was worth it to win the cup and come back to West Yorkshire victorious.”