As Hull FC celebrate Armed Forces Day on Saturday afternoon, former Light Dragoon Les Binns is preparing to deliver the match ball in spectacular, military fashion.
Les served in the Light Dragoons for well over a decade, alongside Hull FC’s Community Foundation Pathways Officer Steve Sampher, serving in operational tours in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
After Les left the military prematurely due to injury, he took up adventuring, and he has achieved something that not many can lay claim to.
“One of the reasons why I got into some of the climbing and adventuring was because after I came out of the military, I was suffering with PTSD,” he explained.
“So I got into climbing, ultra-running and all of that kind of stuff to help me sort my mental state of mind out.
“The main thing I have taken on is attempting Mount Everest. I attempted it in 2016 and then again in 2017, but didn’t manage to reach the summit due to a few issues. I had a bit of a break for a few years, mainly through Covid restrictions.
“On the verge of coming out of lockdown, I was considering doing it again and in 2022, I managed to summit Everest. BLESMA was a massive part of that – they’re a veterans charity. They gave me some money out there, which is called their venture fund, and that saved the expedition for me, so I’ve got a lot to thank BLESMA for.”
Speaking to hullfc.com, Les explains his relationship to Hull FC, and more specifically, the club’s Community Foundation Pathways Officer, Steve Sampher.
“I was in the same regiment as Steve Sampher. We were in the same regiment together, the Light Dragoons, and I was in for about thirteen and a half years,” he told hullfc.com.
“I did a few operational tours and I was awarded a few commendations whilst I was serving. I also reached the rank of Sergeant by the time I left.
“In 2009, I was blown up by an Improvised Explosive Device and I lost the sight in my left eye.”
To find out more about Les’ story – click here
Make sure you are in your seats in advance of kick-off on Saturday to see the delivery of the match ball in spectacular fashion.
How To Buy Match Tickets
Discounted Tickets For Veterans, Military, & Emergency Services/NHS Personnel
Members of the armed forces, veterans, and the emergency services can play their part in building a bumper crowd for the fixture against Castleford with our forces and blue light ticket offer, with tickets for military and associated personnel, and the emergency services available for just £15!
To redeem this offer, simply show your military, veteran, or organisation ID when purchasing a ticket – these tickets are only available from the MKM Stadium retail store.
These tickets are available in South Stand (Reserved) and North Stand sections of the MKM Stadium, and are available until 12.00pm on Friday 14th July – this ticket offer will not be available on match day.
This ticket offer is available to: current and former military personnel, members of veterans organisations, and members of the police, fire service, ambulance service and the NHS, and other rescue services including the RNLI.
In Store
Regular match tickets are available from both club retail stores at the MKM Stadium and St Stephen’s shopping centre.
Please note, only tickets for North, East and South Stand unreserved sections are available from our St Stephen’s store, while tickets in all areas can be purchase from our MKM Stadium store.
Online
Regular match tickets can be purchased online at ticketing.hullfc.com, and available until an hour before kick-off – supporters can opt to print at home or be sent a QR code.
Over The Phone
Regular tickets are available over the phone by calling the MKM Stadium ticket office on 01482 505600, with phone lines are 9.30am until 4.00pm, Monday to Friday. All telephone sales are subject to a £2.00 transaction fee.
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