Heir we go, heir we go... having a ball at the Palace

The first competitive football match contested in the 39-acre gardens yesterday pitted two of England’s oldest amateur clubs against each other in honour of the 400,000 volunteers who ensure the sport thrives at grassroots level.

The Duke of Cambridge hosted the game in his role as president of the Football Association, bringing together Southern Amateur League sides, Civil Service FC, founded in 1863, and Polytechnic FC, formed in 1875, for a senior division one fixture on a pitch prepared with help from Wembley groundsman Tony Stones and his team,

Refereeing duties fell to Rotherham’s Howard Webb, who has officiated in World Cup and Champions League finals.

Before the match, the Duke held a palace reception for 150 of the amateur game’s volunteers and gave each a medal as part of the FA’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

The recipients were chosen for their outstanding contribution to football, from helping to develop the women’s game, to providing opportunities for disabled players and refereeing.

Addressing his guests, the Duke said: “At its best, football is a powerful force for good in society. It binds people from different backgrounds, communities, faiths and abilities - and gives them a common interest, a unifying identity.

“I believe, 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.”

Alongside the Duke, Greg Dyke, the FA’s chairman, spoke glowingly of the volunteers’ work.

“It may be the first coach who taught you, or a friend’s dad who arranged the fixtures and marked the pitch, the league secretary or a mum who’d ferry you and your mates to matches and would be persuaded to wash all the kits as well or – as in my day – the guys who carried out the posts and nets and put them up.

“The game survives and thrives on the contribution of 400,000 volunteers, who week in and week out give of their time, in every county, club and league in the land.

“They are the lifeblood of the game and I am so pleased we are able to celebrate their immeasurable contribution here today in this, our 150th year.”

As kick-off approached, players were warned that they would have the Queen to answer to if any Palace windows were broken.

The Duke said: “This magnificent home, Buckingham Palace, is at the heart of the nation, and so there cannot be a more fitting setting to celebrate our national game, and to celebrate all of you.

“One warning, though: if anyone breaks a window, you can answer to her.”

The Duke was joined by former England striker Michael Owen, and joked with the Polytechnic players: “Michael’s available as a super sub.”

Their opponent, Civil Service FC, is the sole surviving club out of the 11 which founded the FA in the Freemasons’ Tavern in London’s Great Queen Street 150 years ago and later drafted the 13 original laws of association football. The team presented the Duke with two tops for Prince George, both with “HRH 1” on the back.

The Duke watched the first 20 minutes of the game and at the interval Polytechnic had taken a 1-0 lead.

The players’ half-time refreshments are unlikely to be better served. Palace footmen and women wearing their uniforms of tail coats and scarlet waistcoats, carried paper cups of water, orange segments and Mars bars on silver-plated platters for the players.

During the second half, the Duke slipped on a pair of orange football boots that were a present from England striker Wayne Rooney and joined members of the Household football squad, made up of royal staff from departments across the palace, for a training session.

On the Palace pitch, Polytechnic FC went two up before their rivals pulled back a consolation goal.