Goalkeeper urges people to celebrate armed forces

Newcastle United stopper John Ruddy spoke to armed forces veterans ahead of Remembrance Sunday

A Premier League footballer has said the armed forces should be celebrated more often than just Remembrance Day.

Newcastle United goalkeeper John Ruddy's father served in the Army as part of the Light Infantry, with the player spending his earlier life around the military.

Ruddy said it was no secret British people's lives would be different without the armed forces but "that gets lost on a lot of people".

"It's something we only celebrate for a short period of time each year but I think it needs to be celebrated more," he said.

Ruddy said he stopped being an "army brat" when he was about eight years old and his father left the military.

But the life skills he learnt during that time became very important to him, such as "recognising the value of a group and a team".

"And also more than anything recognising the value of being from this great country," he said.

Ruddy shared his passion for the armed forces and said he would have signed up to serve if not for his football career

Ruddy shared his thoughts during an event held at St James' Park to honour veterans ahead of Remembrance Day.

About 150 former armed forces members attended the event, as well as young players from Newcastle United Academy's Under-12s team.

Ruddy told those in attendance Remembrance Day football games had always been important to him and he looked forward to them every year.

"My grandad and my uncle served in the RAF and I'm very proud of those links," he said.

"If I wasn't playing football I would have signed up as well."

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