AN EAST Lancashire soldier played in a ‘momentous’ football match against Iraqi locals.

The game – for which British soldiers did not wear body armour – featured David Frangleton, 24, from the Whitehall area of Darwen.

Other Royal Air Force soldiers and the Iraq army and police provided security around the pitch.

Army chiefs said the match against the residents of a small village showed the progress made in Iraq, particularly with security and soldiers building a strong bond with Iraqi people.

The match had echoes of the football match between British and German troops in no man’s land in 1914 during the First World War.

The Iraq game ended 0-0 and went to penalties. The RAF won 5-4.

The RAF team played in a light blue RAF football kit and the Iraqi villagers played in an Arsenal strip.

David’s dad, Alan said he was shocked to see the photograph of his son ‘building a bond’ with the Iraqi villagers.

He said: “The picture is absolutely fantastic. When we first saw the photo we were very surprised to see David. He has made us extremely proud.”

David, who signed up aged 18 and is in the Royal Air Force 51 Squadron, is a ‘keen’ footballer. Normally based at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, he is based in Basra until February.

John Rees, Deputy 51 Squadron Commander, said they had built up a strong rapport with the people living in the nearby villages.

He said “It’s nice for the soldiers to get out of their military kit and integrate properly with the local population, on a one-to-one basis.

“This is such an excellent demonstration of the good will and relationship we have built up with the village since the beginning of our tour here.”