Honouring their comrade: Royal Signals continues legacy of 'fierce competitor' in McBean Trophy fixture
Honouring those who are no longer here is imperative for those who serve in the military and, in the Royal Signals, they're remembering one of their own with a football trophy named in his honour.
The McBean Trophy is played by the Royal Signals every year in memory of Major Tony McBean, who died in 2016 after a long and brave battle with motor neurone disease.
Maj McBean, who left behind a wife and two daughters, was described as "a friend to all" but also a "fierce competitor" as an ex-goalkeeper, and for that, his legacy is now celebrated on the pitch by units from the Royal Signals in an annual fixture.
"It sums up everything about Army sport; the ethos, the team spirit and ultimately the desire to win," Lieutenant Colonel Simon Smith explains.
Commanding Officer of the 30th Royal Signals and Chairperson of Royal Signals Football, Lt Col Smith explains why remembering Maj McBean in the form of football is of vital importance to him and the Royal Signals.
"It remains an important part of my life and is named after a corps footballing legend, Major Tony McBean who sadly passed away some six years ago.
"Tony was a friend to all, a fierce competitor but always ensured he demonstrated the highest levels of sportsmanship both on and off the pitch."
He adds: "Renaming the competition in his honour was an easy decision to make and it is great to be able to welcome his wife Claire and daughters Jess and Becca back each year.
"To continue his legacy is essential, to be able to play for a trophy in his name is special and to have the chance of winning it amazing."
The McBean Trophy is now the key fixture on the Royal Signals' calendar, which was previously known as the Signaller Cup.
A simple knockout event, units from across the Royal Signals play throughout the course of the season in honour of Maj McBean's legacy.
Widely regarded as the 'soldier's sport', Army football indisputably shaped Lt Col Smith's military career from the moment he joined his squadron at 19 years old.
And, at this year's fixture, Lt Col Smith made no secret of which unit he was supporting.
"It is an absolute privilege to continue to be part of this amazing sport in so many different ways," he said.
"I didn't make it to the highest levels as a player but I'm lucky to play for the Army Masters, support the development of Army grassroots football as the chairperson of Royal Signals Football and, as a Commanding Officer, support my own unit, 30th Signal Regiment," he added.
At this year's event, Lt Col Smith's unit, the 30th Signal Regiment, went on to win the McBean Trophy on 1 June, beating the 2nd Signal Regiment on penalties in front of a crowd of more than 150 spectators at Stafford Town FC.
A missed fourth penalty and a saved fifth was the difference that helped the 30th Signal Regiment be crowned champions.
Lt Col Smith was present to hand out awards, including the prize for 'Person of the Match' for which the winner was awarded one of Maj Tony McBean's goalkeeper jerseys.
He said: "As an ex-goalkeeper, Tony would have been proud of the result and the 'cat' in the nets who received the Person of the Match award, making two vital saves during the game and saving the final spot-kick.
"The Person of the Match is awarded a goalkeeper's top, one of Tony's from his playing days, and each successful winner since his passing now has their name sewn into the shirt – a great legacy.
"The post-match celebrations were as enthusiastic as you'd expect and it remains clear that football is so much more than just a game."
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