Bromley FC Community Trust is proud to announce it has been awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award, the Ministry of Defence’s highest honour for organisations demonstrating exceptional support to serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers and military families.

The prestigious award recognises employers who go above and beyond in embedding the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant into both their workplace and the communities they serve.

For Bromley FC Community Trust, Gold status represents the culmination of several years of work to ensure the Armed Forces community remains connected, supported and valued across the London Borough of Bromley.

Having previously achieved Silver Award status, the Trust has continued to expand both the scale and impact of its work. Today, its Armed Forces programme includes a monthly Veterans Hub, welcoming veterans each month for breakfast, a free weekly Military Veterans Football programme supported by the Veterans Foundation, Veterans Connect support within local care homes, monthly Walk & Talk sessions, employment initiatives for service leavers and military families, and a wide range of commemorative and community events.

Beyond its own programmes, the Trust has become a leading advocate for the Armed Forces Covenant across both Bromley and the wider football community.

As a founding partner of Bromley’s Armed Forces Task Force, the Trust works alongside the London Borough of Bromley and Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust to coordinate borough-wide Armed Forces initiatives and champion greater support for the Armed Forces community.

The Trust also works closely with Army, Air and Sea Cadet units throughout the borough, providing opportunities for young people to participate in remembrance events, community activities and matchday experiences while promoting volunteering and leadership. Staff policies also provide additional paid leave for Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to supporting those who serve.

The impact of the Trust’s work is perhaps best demonstrated by those it supports. Veterans have described the programmes as giving them renewed purpose, structure and a genuine sense of belonging, with one participant explaining that involvement in the Trust’s Veterans Football programme had helped them manage Complex PTSD while creating positive outcomes for fellow veterans through service, leadership and connection.

The announcement was celebrated alongside members of the Trust’s Veterans Hub during its latest monthly gathering, which also marked Black Tot Day, the annual remembrance of the end of the Royal Navy’s daily rum ration. The occasion provided a fitting opportunity to reflect on both military heritage and the community that has grown around the Trust’s veterans’ programme.

Chair of Trustees and Navy veteran Graham Orr said:

“I am absolutely delighted and so proud that we have attained Gold status. The culmination of our wide range of initiatives, together with hard work and dedication from our Community team has helped us achieve this award.

As much as this is seen as a badge of honour, it must also be the springboard for all the exciting work ahead on behalf of those who serve, have served and our Armed Forces Community in the Borough of Bromley.”

Chief Executive of Bromley FC Community Trust, Jeff Hutton, added:

“Gold status isn’t simply recognition for what we’ve done; it strengthens our public commitment for the future. Football has an incredible ability to bring people together, and we’re proud to use that platform to ensure the Armed Forces community always knows it has a place here at Bromley Football Club.

This award also reflects the incredible work Graham has led through our Veterans Hub and wider veterans programme, creating a genuine sense of connection and belonging for veterans across the borough.

We’re also hugely grateful to Chairman Robin Stanton-Gleaves, whose support for this work from the very beginning has helped us build something that is making a real difference. Alongside our partners, staff and volunteers, we’re proud to continue playing our part.”

The Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award is the highest level of recognition available to employers demonstrating outstanding support for the Armed Forces community while actively advocating the principles of the Covenant.

To find out more about Bromley FC Community Trust’s Veterans Hub, Veterans Football programme and wider Armed Forces initiatives, email veterans@bromleyfc.org.

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