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Buckingham Palace hosts first ever competitive game

ESPN staff
October 7, 2013
Prince William and Michael Owen train


Buckingham Palace held its first ever football match as part of the FA's 150th anniversary celebrations on Monday, while FA president the Duke of Cambridge joked if any player hit a window they would have to answer to The Queen.

Fortunately, none were broken as Civil Service FC - the only surviving team of the 11 that formed the FA on October 26 1863 - lost 2-1 to Polytechnic FC, which was set up in 1875.

The Queen had given permission for the palace to stage the Southern Amateur League fixture, which included palace footmen and women dishing out orange slices on silver-plated platters at half time.

The specially prepared pitch had also been worked on by palace gardeners and Wembley groundsman Tony Stones.

Prince William presented 150 volunteers with medals before kick-off and joined in a training session during the second half. FA chairman Greg Dyke was also in attendance.

"Over its 150 years, football has remained a wonderful example of the power of community and of our ability to come together to organise and to enjoy a simple pastime," Prince William said.

"Today we will be playing football on my grandmother's lawn. One warning, though - if anyone breaks a window, you can answer to her."

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