The Footballers of HMS Defender get kitted out as Grecians
Exeter City have linked up with HMS Defender, a type 45 destroyer.
The Captain of HMS Defender, Commander Phil Nash was presented with a set of Grecian shirts which will be worn by the ship’s football team when they play games in various parts of the world.
The presentation took place on Affiliates Day which was held at the end of last week to celebrate the arrival of HMS Defender in its home port of Portsmouth. The ship will now undergo sea trials before being declared 
ready for operations next year.
The Royal Navy has a long history of links to the City of Exeter including five ships named Exeter. HMS Defender is also affiliated with both the city of Glasgow and the city of Exeter and with various organisations including Dream-a-Way, the Exeter based charity.
The photograph shows Edward Chorlton with Commander Nash and Leading Rate Craig Horsman (known as Geordie) at the presentation held on board Defender. Geordie is in charge of physical fitness on the ship. He is a keen football supporter and had himself played for the Royal Navy over 40 times.
Commander Nash said:
that his team would wear Exeter City’s strip with pride and looked forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the club.