Hartlepool United was pleased to host an Armed Forces Covenant signing ceremony at Victoria Park last month.
Delivered in partnership with Kier Construction North East, the North East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) and 8 Rifles, the event saw six subcontractors from across Teesside and County Durham formally sign the Armed Forces Covenant.
The organisations were Frostree, Finlay Structures, CERTA Roofing & Cladding, Hewitson Ltd, Wyn Construction and NEGSL.
By signing the Covenant, each has pledged to support serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families, ensuring they are treated with fairness and respect while recognising the skills and experience they bring to the workplace.
The event was particularly significant for Hartlepool United, which became one of the first professional football clubs in the country to sign the Armed Forces Covenant in 2016.
Nearly 10 years on, the Club remains proud to support the Armed Forces community and was honoured to welcome organisations making the same commitment.
During the ceremony, Chris Beech accepted a commemorative plaque from Captain Dave Ridley of 8 Rifles on behalf of the Club in recognition of Hartlepool United’s continued support for the Covenant.
Guests also heard from Keith Nobbs, who highlighted the work of United for the Community, Pools’ official charity, and the impact it continues to make across Hartlepool through education, health and wellbeing, inclusion and employability programmes..
The ceremony concluded with a performance from the Moinden House Buglers.
Rose Stoker, Commercial & Operations Director at Hartlepool United, said: “We were delighted to welcome everyone to Victoria Park for what was a really special occasion.
“Pools has proudly supported the Armed Forces Covenant since 2016, so it was an honour to host an event recognising organisations that have chosen to make that same commitment.
“The Armed Forces community is a hugely important part of our town and our region, and we’re proud to play our part in supporting those who serve, or who have served, our country.
“Victoria Park has always been more than a football stadium. It’s a place where people come together, and we were proud that it could provide the setting for such an important occasion. I’d like to thank Kier Construction North East, the North East RFCA, 8 Rifles and everyone who helped organise such a fantastic day.
“Congratulations as well to Frostree, Finlay Structures, CERTA Roofing & Cladding, Hewitson Ltd, Wyn Construction and NEGSL on signing the Covenant. We were proud to host the event and wish them every success in the future.”
Pools would like to thank Captain Dave Ridley and the soldiers of 8 Rifles, Andy Maylett and the North East RFCA, Terry Hanlon and Kier Construction North East, the organisations that signed the Covenant, and the Moinden House Buglers for their contribution to a successful event.
As one of the first professional football clubs in the country to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, Pools remains proud to support the Armed Forces community and those who serve, or have served, our country.
