Former servicemen and women think Army-Navy game is being 'singled out'

In the wake of the event on May 4, leader of Richmond Council, Councillor Gareth Roberts, made a statement that suggested the fixture should be moved from Twickenham, or at least rotated between venues.

He blasted the event as “a drunken, al fresco fancy dress party with the rugby match itself being of secondary importance”, and complained of public urination and people passing out in the streets.

But many people who went to the game, including those with a background in the armed forces, took issue with Mr Roberts’ statement.

Jo Keeble, who lives in Norfolk with her husband Carl and who has been coming to the Army Vs Navy match every year for the past decade, said the community felt Mr Roberts’ reaction was unfair.

She said: “I think the consensus of people who went is that they didn’t really witness anything that you wouldn’t see at any major fixture at Twickenham.

“I’m not saying there wasn’t any anti-social behaviour – far from it – but the feeling is that Mr Roberts has singled out the armed forces community.”

Ms Keeble blamed the large crowds that built up after the game on travel disruption, and said public urination was down to a perceived lack of public toilets.

Her and her husband’s family has more than 100 years of combined service in the armed forces, including her five in the Territorial Army and Carl’s 24 in the Army.

She also had three stints working as a tailoress at Colchester Garrison, and with the Second and Third Battalions of the Royal Anglian Regiment.

Ms Keeble, who is involved in the armed forces community online, said: “People are getting a bit riled by being singled out. My husband and I went to the British Grand Prix for 10 years – the Army Vs Navy match is not even a dot on that in terms of poor behaviour!”

She suggested setting up a working group with fans, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the council and local businesses to discuss how to pre-empt and solve problems.

The RFU, which runs Twickenham Stadium, already has meetings with the council before and after the fixture.

A spokeswoman said the organisation took “significant steps” to improve the event, and said that in fact behaviour at this year’s match was better than it has been previously.

Another ex-serviceman, Graham, (whose current job meant he did not want his surname to be published), said he has been coming to the Army Vs Navy match regularly for years.

He said: “This year was again a great day. I have never witnessed any antisocial behaviour.

“We stopped at an Italian restaurant where we had a fabulous meal. We were a party of nine. A party of 15 was finishing, and a party of 14 came in while we were there.

“All these people were forces personnel; all were polite and well behaved.

“I have attended many games at Twickenham including six games during the World Cup. I do not believe Cllr Roberts’ claims that this year’s game was particularly bad.

“He seems to be targeting the armed forces in particular. If he has evidence of mass unruly behaviour he should produce it.

“He should also not tar everyone with the same brush. As with any event, a small minority can spoil it.”

Mr Roberts said residents are proud of the borough’s links with the armed forces, but that their good will is put to the test when they see the town being “trashed”.