Copied from the Army in Wales Facebook Page
Soldiers from 1st Battalion Welsh Guards celebrated the 30th anniversary of being granted the Freedom of Swansea by attending a Premiership football match.
The Welsh Guards were invited to the game by Swansea Council and only last summer enjoyed parading through the city where hundreds of people turned out to show their support.
Regimental Sergeant Major, WO1 Dean Morgan, 38, himself from Ravenhill, Swansea, said it was a privilege to attend the game and line the tunnel as players from Swansea and Liverpool ran out onto the pitch.
“We are always very humbled to see such strong support from the communities around Wales and that was evident during our parades last year,” said Dean.
“The soldiers love to come back to the places they grew up and we are honoured to have been invited to this game by Swansea Council, with whom we enjoy a fantastic relationship. The public will be used to seeing us in ceremonial uniform with bearskins and red tunic but we wanted to be in MTP (multi-terrain pattern) uniform for tonight as we continue preparations for deployment on Operation Toral.”
Op Toral is the British Army’s ongoing support to the NATO mission in Afghanistan, which is called Operation Resolute Support. Combat operations in Afghanistan ended in 2014 but British forces continue to have a role to play and the Welsh Guards will be part of an enduring commitment to help the Afghan people through training, advising and assisting the country’s security forces.
Councillor Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “In Swansea, we are extremely passionate about our Premier League Swans and the job our Armed Forces continue to do around the world to keep our city and country safe.
“With that in mind, we’re both delighted and honoured to host the Welsh Guards at the Liberty Stadium for the Swans game against Liverpool – another passionate city that’s steeped in rich footballing heritage.
“Given 2018 marks the 30th anniversary of the Welsh Guards being granted Honorary Freedom of Swansea, it’s very fitting that contemporary Guardsmen will line the tunnel in the build-up to kick-off, where they’ll be on hand to give the players a guard of honour.
“Following on from the Welsh Guards’ freedom march through the city centre last year, this will add to what’s already sure to be an electric atmosphere at the Liberty Stadium, with many thousands of fans set to give these soldiers the level of welcome and appreciation they so thoroughly deserve.”