RAF U23s turn to new leadership as Inter Services title challenge begins against the Navy
The RAF under-23s football team are preparing to get their Inter Services campaign underway against the Royal Navy on Wednesday.
After last week's 2-2 draw between the Navy and the British Army in Havant, the title is all to play for as all three services hunt for glory.
This season will be Sergeant Danny Bartley's final campaign in charge of the team but what can we expect from the Air Force?
A new-look RAF team
While the coaching staff are the same as in previous years, and a couple of players have Inter Services experience, it's a raft of changes for the RAF in 2025.
That's the nature of under-23s football with some players moving up to senior football, some focusing on their military careers and some leaving the service altogether.
"We've had an up and down season to be honest," said head coach Sgt Bartley.
"We've had a lot of injuries. A lot of people left last year so we've lost 12. I think we've got two that featured in last year's Inter Services, so it's a brand-new squad.
"A lot of excitement within the lads and hopefully, that excitement gets us a result against the Navy."
A captain with no prior Inter Services experience
It's rare to have a key player without previous Inter Services experience in military football, but it's even rarer for your captain to have never played a minute of action against your forces rivals.
However, that's what Corporal Blake Ledger will be experiencing when he leads the RAF out on Wednesday.
He said: "I'd only played two games for the team before Danny asked me to be captain so I was a bit surprised but I am confident that I think I can fulfill the role well.
"I'm normally quite quiet on the pitch but, coming into this environment, we've not got many loud players so I've kind of taken that on myself to be a bit louder."
Losing 2024's title by just inches in Portsmouth
Going into last year's tournament, the RAF were the least favoured of the three services but after a stunning 2-0 over the Army, they knew a draw against the Navy would be enough to seal the championship triumph.
They nearly grabbed it too as a late shot flew inches over the bar from close range denying the Air Force the trophy.
Sgt Bartley described it as a "hard one to swallow" but wanted to give credit to the Navy who won their third consecutive Inter Services.
He said: "They bring a lot of enthusiasm and energy, that never-say-die and they kept on going. We were a bit unlucky but, hopefully, this year we can make it right.
Senior Air Specialist Dean Higham, who scored from the penalty spot against the Army and played in that title-deciding match against the Navy last year, also believes that memory can be a driving force.
"It's just putting it right this year," said the midfielder. "We know what we have to do and we just need to go and make sure we do it on Wednesday."
How to watch
You can watch the RAF v Navy clash live on the BFBS Forces News YouTube channel. Coverage begins at 18:15 UK time with serving personnel also able to watch via the BFBS TV service.
It's part two of a trio of tournament matches after we presented live coverage of the Army's 2-2 draw with the Navy in Havant last week.
The final match of the tournament sees the Army host the RAF on Wednesday 19 February and will also be shown live.
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