A UNIQUE football event will take place at Surrey Sports Park, in Guildford, in July, to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

On the first day of the infamous battle, in which 20,000 British soldiers were killed, one British Army unit - the 8th Battalion The East Surrey Regiment - kicked footballs ‘over the top’ to encourage the troops to advance.

One hundred years later, there will be 20 teams, military and civilian, male and female, adults and youth, playing each other and remembering the sacrifices made by men from the south east of England.

The event is being organised by The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, whose forebears fought at the Somme, as well as the Army Benevolent Fund and the South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association.

Civilian teams taking part include Aldershot Town FC, Guildford City, Chelsea, Southampton, Surrey Fire Brigade and Hampshire Police and military teams from Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre, Pirbright, Aldershot, Cyprus and Germany.

Shahid Azeem, chairman of Aldershot Town FC and an enthusiast of football in the community said: “It is vitally important the town of Aldershot, as home of the British Army, commemorates the sacrifices made by our troops.

“Football is our national sport and a huge part of military life and, as we saw in last year’s Game of Truce, played at our EBB Stadium, the game also played a major role in the First World War.

“This will be a fantastic event, as well as very poignant, and Aldershot Town are delighted to remember our fallen heroes by competing in their honour.”

Chief executive of the South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association and Deputy Colonel of the local regiment, Colonel (Retired) Patrick Crowley added: “We plan to commemorate the sacrifices made through the means of football fun and a commemorative ceremony.

“We also hope to raise some money for local regimental benevolence and the Army’s Soldiers’ Charity.”

The event ‘Over the Top’ will take place on Friday, July 1, from 10am to the final, due mid-afternoon. There will also be refreshments available and various stands to visit.