Victoria Park sponsors Guernsey captain's England over-75s campaign
- Victoria Park sponsors England over-75s captain Geoff Martel's international campaign
- The 81-year-old Guernsey resident led England to Veterans World Cup victory in 2024
- Sponsorship covers travel expenses for fixtures including clash with Germany in July
- England defeated Wales 2-0 in recent Aneurin Bevan Shield match with Martel named Man of the Match
- Germany fixture on 30 July marks 60th anniversary of England's 1966 World Cup win
Guernsey's Victoria Park has agreed a sponsorship deal with England over-75s football captain Geoff Martel as he prepares to lead the national team through a series of international fixtures culminating in a match against Germany this summer.
Martel, who turned 81 this month, will receive funding for travel expenses to enable him to join the England squad for upcoming international matches. The Guernsey resident has served as an ambassador for veterans' football both locally and internationally since earning selection for England's over-75s squad in 2022.
The veteran footballer's international career reached its pinnacle in 2024 when he captained England to victory at the Veterans World Cup in Cardiff. The team defeated hosts Wales on penalties in what was described as a "blistering final".
England's current campaign has begun positively with a 2-0 victory against Wales in the Aneurin Bevan Shield match at Barry Town United FC earlier this month. Martel was named Man of the Match for his performance in the fixture.
The team's schedule includes a match against the USA in Denmark in May before the headline fixture against Germany on 30 July in Manchester. The German match will mark the 60th anniversary of England's 1966 World Cup victory.
Rob Jones, Victoria Park Director, said: "Part of our mission at Victoria Park is to support enhanced experiences and create a lifelong journey within the game. Geoff is a testament to what can be achieved at both a local and international level. We're thrilled to support him and the England team in this exciting campaign, and hope that they have the chance to rewrite the history books when they take on Germany later this year."
Martel acknowledged the financial challenges of representing England whilst living in Guernsey. "Football has opened up some incredible opportunities for me over the years, both here in Guernsey and further afield. Travelling off island to represent England is always an honour; however, it can be challenging, particularly from a financial perspective. I'm grateful to Victoria Park for supporting me in this next campaign, and hope it will inspire other islanders to pursue a long-term love of football," he said.
Victoria Park serves as Guernsey's home of football and operates as a hub for the island's sporting community. The facility aims to support the development of players, coaches, match officials and supporters at all levels through high-quality facilities and community engagement programmes.
Q&A
Q: How old is England over-75s captain Geoff Martel?
A: Geoff Martel is 81 years old, having celebrated his birthday this month.
Q: What major tournament did Martel win with England in 2024?
A: Martel captained England to victory at the 2024 Veterans World Cup in Cardiff, where they defeated Wales on penalties in the final.
Q: When is England's match against Germany scheduled?
A: The match against Germany is scheduled for 30 July in Manchester, marking the 60th anniversary of England's 1966 World Cup victory.
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