About Us
English Veterans FC
English Veterans Football Club (EVFC) is affiliated to the Leicestershire and Rutland County FA. They are self-organised and self-funded and manage teams at six age groups – Over 50’s, 55’s, 60’s, 65’s, 70’s and 75’s.
The games are 11 a-side, 80 or 90 minutes in duration and played in accordance with the International Football Association Board (IFAB) Laws of the Game with unlimited ‘return’ substitutes.
They respond to requests for representative games from countries (and dependencies) of the United Kingdom and from countries abroad and they play against veteran teams from the Armed Forces. They also play against representative teams from the English Counties and Veterans Leagues throughout England as well as open age teams in support of charitable causes and occasionally, veteran club sides.
England and Wales first started contesting international Over 50 and Over 55 veteran games at Bisham Abbey, Berkshire in 2009. The 50’s won 1-0 but the 55’s lost 2-1.
Each year since 2011, there has been an Over 50’s Home International tournament involving the ‘Four Nations’ of the United Kingdom – England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. After the pandemic Scotland were unable to field a team for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 tournaments so the other nations provided additional players to form a ‘Team GB’. Scotland were able to return to the fold in 2024.
The Four Nations Tournament is the highlight of the year. In 2019 the inaugural Over 55’s Four Nations tournament was held – the RAF participated as the fourth ‘nation’ in Scotland’s absence. There was no 2020 competition due to COVID and England Veterans’ Over 60’s stood in as the fourth nation in 2021. The 2022 tournament was cancelled due to the Queen’s death and Maccabi GB have been the fourth nation since 2023.
In 2021, the Over 60’s of England, Northern Ireland and Wales contested the inaugural Tri Nations tournament in Belfast, Northern Ireland. There was no tournament in 2020 due to COVID but in 2024, Denmark joined the tournament to make it a Four Nations competition.
The Over 65’s will take part in the inaugural Tri Nations tournament with Wales and Northern Ireland in 2026.
The Over 70’s contested their first international match against Wales in 2021 and the Over 75’s did the same in 2024. Both games were played at St. George’s Park in Staffordshire, the home of English football.
For the Over 70’s and Over 75’s the Senior Veterans World Cup is the highlight of the year and they have participated in three since its inception in 2017. In 2022 they played in Denmark, in 2024 Wales and Japan in 2025. The 2026 tournament is in Australia.
Games are regularly played overseas against Guernsey, Jersey and Northern Ireland and matches have been played in Denmark, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Thailand and USA. There are also regular fixtures against the Royal Air Force and of course, Wales and Scotland.
The Over 50’s were also invited to play in Northern Ireland in October 2021 as part of the Northern Ireland centenary celebrations – marking 100 years since creation of the country and commemorating the first football match between the two which took place in 1921.
Games have also been played against County representative teams from Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, East Midlands, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Huntingdonshire, Kent, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Oxfordshire, Sheffield and Hallamshire and Worcestershire.
Representative teams from the Farnham and District League, the Birmingham County League, the West London League, the Hull and District League and the Southend Borough Combination League have also been played.
Players are selected on merit. Some are ex-professionals, most are ex-semi-professionals. Trials are held fairly regularly and the best players offered the chance to play and represent their country. Inclusivity is important and the current crop of players come from about fifteen different English counties.
Currently, the most high profile players are Barry Hayles who has played for the Over 50’s – Barry played for Fulham in the Premier League and for England C. The Over 55’s had Steve Tilson playing for them – Steve made over 200 professional appearances for Southend United. Garry Nelson plays for the Over 60’s – Garry made over 750 professional appearances at Charlton Athletic, Brighton and Hove Albion and Southend United. And Peter Coffill plays for the Over 65’s – Peter made over 250 appearances in the Football League for Watford, Torquay United and Northampton Town.
A Brief History
England and Wales first start contesting international Over 50 and Over 55 representative veteran games at Bisham Abbey, Berkshire. The 50’s won 1-0. The 55’s lost 2-1.
First Over 50’s international representative game against Northern Ireland in Belfast. England lost 3-1.
First Over 50’s international representative game against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. England lost 3-1.
First Over 50’s Four Nations tournament, hosted by Scotland in Inverclyde and including England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Northern Ireland were victorious.
First Over 60’s international representative game against Wales at Cambrian FC, Clydach Vale. England lost 4-2 and Wales lifted the Frank Terrell Cup.
First Over 65’s international representative game against Wales at Dragon Park, Newport. England won 1-0 and lifted the Dermot Gallagher Cup.
First Over 55 Four Nations tournament, hosted by Wales in both Cardiff and Barry and including England, Northern Ireland and the Royal Air Force. Northern Ireland were victorious.
First Over 60’s Tri Nations tournament, hosted by Northern Ireland in both Newcastle and Kilkeel and including England and Wales. Northern Ireland were victorious.
First Over 70’s international representative game against Wales at St. George’s Park, Staffordshire. England won 3-0 and lifted the National Health Service Challenge Trophy.
The Over 50’s were invited to play Northern Ireland as part of the Northern Ireland centenary celebrations – marking 100 years since creation of the country and commemorating the first football match between the two which took place in 1921
England’s first participation in the Over 70’s and Over 75’s World Cup in Roskilde, Denmark.
First Over 75’s international representative game against Wales at St. George’s Park, Staffordshire. England won 7-1 and lifted the Aneurin Bevan Shield.
