'I cannot tell you how excited I am that later today we will be playing football on my grandmother’s lawn. One warning, though: if anyone breaks a window, you can answer to her,' he joked.
William was given the run of Buckingham Palace in his role as President of the Football Association by his grandmother, the Queen, who has herself been patron of the organisation for 61 years, for an event to mark its 150th anniversary. The highlight of the event was a game in the gardens of the palace between two of the oldest amateur clubs in England.
Civil Service FC, the sole surviving club from the eleven that met to create The FA in 1863, and Polytechnic FC, which was formed in 1875, battled it out in an official Southern Amateur League fixture. At half-time, Polytechnic were leading 1-0 but their half-time refreshments will probably never be better served. The two teams were treated to oranges and drinks, brought out on silver platters by footmen.D During the second half of the match, William joined members of the Household football squad, made up of royal staff from departments across the palace, for a training session.
The Duke wore a dark blue tracksuit and a pair of luminous orange football boots that were a present from Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney, with WR10 embossed on the side. William and former England forward Michael Owen joined in the vigorous training session that saw the players practising their dribbling and passing skills and take on fitness tasks. Meanwhile, on the Buckingham Palace pitch, Polytechnic FC increased their lead to two goals, but in the closing stages there was a fightback by their rivals who scored.
William joined the spectators for the final few minutes as the Civil Service team tried in vain to get an equaliser. Daily MailThere was a pitch invasion of sorts when the final whistle was blown, with all the spectators wandering on to get a closer look at William as he chatted to the players. Summing up the day, FA chairman Greg Dyke said: ‘It's wonderful, bringing all these hundreds of volunteers from all over the country to Buckingham Palace to celebrate football - celebrate what they do.
‘Luckily the weather's been good and it hasn't been raining so we did not rip up the lawn. The Duke was concerned that the lawn might suffer but it's OK. ‘It did help having the Duke of Cambridge as your president. He said his grandmother was very happy as long as we didn't break any windows.’ William welcomed those arriving for the event, saying: 'It is with the greatest pleasure that I welcome you all here today. This magnificent home, Buckingham Palace, is at the heart of the nation, and so there cannot be a more fitting setting to celebrate our national game, and to celebrate all of you.
'In fact, Her Majesty, who has been the proud Patron of The FA for 61 years, sends her regrets that she cannot join you today. The one small silver lining to Her Majesty not being present today is that there shouldn’t be any corgis running on to the pitch! 'The beautiful game has changed an awful lot during The Queen’s reign, but it remains the most loved game in the country, most probably the world.' Firstly, however, there was an awards ceremony in the palace ballroom to celebrate The FA’s 150 'Grassroots Heroes'. William, accompanied by Mr Dyke, presented medals to 150 volunteers who work tirelessly to support grassroots football.
They included everyone from coaches and referees to kit washers, groundsmen and club secretaries, all of whom have one thing in common: they give up their time so that others can enjoy the 'beautiful game'. Those honoured had been nominated through a number of schemes, including The FA Community, The FA Referee, Football Futures, Groundsman of the Year, Asian Football and Muslim Women Awards. Each of the grassroots champions were presented with a medal by HRH The Duke of Cambridge and FA Chairman Greg Dyke.
Mr Dyke told the prince: 'I'm not sure my grandmother would have been quite so generous [about lending her garden] but then I am sure her garden wasn't as large.' Volunteers honoured ranged from 17-year-old Taome Caville, who transformed her life after becoming involved in youth coaching, to Harry Hardy, who at 86 is the oldest active referee in football with over 55 years of experience at a grassroots level of the game. Joining the 150 winners were former England striker and FA150 ambassador Michael Owen as well as Premier League Chairman, Anthony Fry, Football League Chairman, Greg Clarke and Sports Minister, Hugh Robertson.
In a short but clearly from-the-heart speech, the prince paid tribute to what he described as the 'original games makers'. He said; 'Whilst it is a privilege to be President of The Football Association, if I am honest, for me, the role is more an extension of a personal passion. Football, in particular being a Villa supporter, has brought me a great deal of pleasure over the years. A chance to escape with friends and family and enjoy its virtues – teamwork, competition, endeavour and, more occasionally on my part, skill. 'At its best, football is a powerful force for good in society.
It binds people from different backgrounds, communities, faiths and abilities – and gives them a common interest, a unifying identity. I believe over its 150 years, football has remained a wonderful example of the power of community and of our ability to come together to organise and to enjoy a simple pastime. 'As a nation, we were rightly proud of the volunteer ‘gamesmakers’ who supported last year’s Olympic Games. But for those of us involved in football, this was not a new phenomenon. Grassroots football thrives on the support of its volunteers week after week. You and your colleagues are the original games-makers, and we are all in your debt for it.'
William continued: 'Reading through your citations, I don’t think any of you realise quite how impressive what you do is. You change lives, you give people meaning, enjoyment, perspective, a release, an outlet; you bring people together and inject fun, laughter, passion, goals and challenges into others’ lives. It is people like you who make our country what it is. I sincerely hope that you are immensely proud of your efforts and achievements.' After the ceremony William posed for a group photograph with the winners and chatted with former England star Michael Owen.
The prince asked the retired player whether he had 'brought his boots with him.' 'I don't know if I can play any more,' he joked. 'Ah don't be modest,' the prince joked. 'You've still got it.'
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