Eduardo to feature in match against Royal Engineers to mark 150 years since FA Cup triumph

Former Arsenal player and Croatia international Eduardo da Silva is set to play in a match to mark the 150th anniversary of the Royal Engineers’ historic FA Cup win.

Eduardo, who is now retired from professional football, will line up for Gillingham Town FC to play against a team from the Royal Engineers on 19 January.

The game starts a series of celebrations that marks the Royal Engineers' historic 1875 FA Cup triumph where they beat the Old Etonians.

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The Sappers will then play their 1875 FA Cup rivals, the Old Etonians, at their Garrison Sports Ground in Medway, Kent, when the celebrations conclude in May, in what organisers hope will be seen as a celebration of football.

The Royal Engineers are the only military team to have won the famous club competition.

They were one of the strongest sides in English football in the 1870s making four FA Cup final appearances, including their 1875 win.

Speaking to KentOnline, Eduardo said that he is "looking forward" to playing against the military side.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to the game and the special occasion for both clubs, Gillingham Town and especially the Royal Engineers, as they celebrate their 150th anniversary since winning the FA Cup, which is a great achievement."

The Royal Engineers hold strong ties with Gillingham Town, who allow the military team to use their facilities.

Army Sport have recently funded the construction of a pavilion at the garrison, which may be an ideal location for the club as they look to set up a community hub in Gillingham.

Head coach Warrant Officer Class 1 Keith Stubbs told KentOnline that the chance to play against Eduardo would be "fantastic".

"We've had quite a lot of events recently, which is quite humbling," he said.

“We're going to be doing a replay of that 1875 match and we have already recreated the 1874 final last year at Oxford University.

"It'd be fantastic to be up against Eduardo and we've got a couple of Arsenal fans as well that are thriving to pit their wits against him!"

The Sappers' side will be made up of players who play at master's level, which includes serving personnel aged over 35 and some former Royal Engineers football players.

The game will be played at RSME No.1 Ground in Gillingham with kick-off at 15:00 UK time.