Former Royal Navy senior players with more than 100 caps honoured at Fratton Park
The Royal Navy Football Association have awarded their first caps to former players who have made 100 or more appearances for the senior service team.
Seventeen former Royal Navy senior players were awarded their gold caps in a ceremony held at Fratton Park in Portsmouth, which was held ahead of the Navy v Army Inter Services clash.
Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Martin Connell and Portsmouth FC manager John Mousinho were on hand to do the honours of handing out the gold caps to the recipients.
Since the foundation of the Royal Navy Football Association in 1904, only 21 players have ever reached the century milestone.
The first to do so was Herbert Coates who made his debut for the Navy against Portsmouth Football Club at Fratton Park on 29 October 1924, and continued to play for the Navy until his last game against the Civil Service on 29 September 1938.
Coates died in 1965, and his cap was presented to his family who were at the ceremony on his behalf.
Three players were also recognised for reaching more than 200 caps for the Royal Navy, with the most appearances being achieved by former player Steve Johnson.
Johnson made his Navy debut in 1982 and continued to play until his last game against the Civil Service on 8 December 2004, where he clocked up his 231st cap for the senior service.
He continues to work for the Royal Navy Football Association as its chief executive officer, in a career spanning 43 years.
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