Latest News - 16/07/2021

Club Awarded Gold Employer Recognition Scheme Award

Annan Athletic Football Club Awarded Gold Employer Recognition Scheme Award by the Ministry of Defence

Annan Athletic FC has been awarded an Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in recognition of their support towards the Armed Forces community.

140 organisations have received the ERS Gold Award this year for their outstanding support towards the Armed Forces community, Defence Minister Leo Docherty announced today. The club are only the second football club in the country to be awarded with Gold status alongside Rangers FC.

The ERS encourages employers to support Defence and inspire others to do the same. The Gold Award is the highest accolade granted under the Scheme, reserved for businesses and organisations with the strongest commitment to supporting the military community.

To receive the award, organisations must demonstrate that they have supportive policies in place for Defence people, which includes: Reservists, Regulars, Veterans, Cadet Force Volunteers and Spouses.

Annan Athletic FC are an award-winning Scottish Association football club based in Dumfries & Galloway.

As former hosts of the Army Reserve Challenge Cup Final, the club are keen supporters of their local Army Reserve unit, 6 SCOTS, Royal Regiment of Scotland. They also support local Cadet units who make use of the club’s facilities for parades and gatherings.

Having received the ERS Silver Award just last year, Annan Athletic have demonstrated an outstanding level of commitment in challenging times.

Employing three ex-Forces personnel, Annan Athletic use their traditional and digital channels to promote key Defence events such as Armed Forces Day.

Furthermore, the club is committed to supporting the physical and mental well-being of Veterans through organised walking and football activities.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Leo Docherty said:

‘I would like to thank all the organisations who have proven their support for the Defence community during such unprecedented and challenging times.

‘The vast range of those recognised this year demonstrates how employing the Armed Forces community makes a truly positive and beneficial impact for all employers, regardless of size, sector or location.’

Phil Jones, Chairman of Annan Athletic Football Club, said:

‘Annan Athletic is delighted to receive this prestigious award.

‘All at Annan are greatly looking forward to holding the Reserve Football Cup Final again this year, a special day for the Armed Forces Community in Scotland.

‘We do as much as we can for the Forces and we’re proud to be winners both nationally and locally.

‘Even though we have won Gold, we have no intention in slowing down our efforts to support and promote Defence.’

Lowland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA)  Regional Employer Engagement Director, said:

‘Annan Athletic are vitally important Defence champions within Dumfries and Galloway.

‘As a community football club within the Scottish football league, they punch well above their weight in supporting Defence, and in particular Reservists.

‘Annan Athletic have sought to connect Lowland RFCA with other like-minded employers in the South West of Scotland, demonstrating their active advocacy on behalf of Defence. This sort of local assistance is essential in such vast rural areas.

‘There is no doubt at all that Annan Athletic deserve their Gold ERS Award.’