Adelaide United will once again honour Remembrance Day with a special tribute at Coopers Stadium on Friday, 7 November, featuring a curtain raiser clash between Adelaide United Legends and an Australian Defence Force (ADF) representative team.
The match, kicking off at 4:30pm ahead of the Reds’ Isuzu UTE A-League Round 4 fixture against Western Sydney Wanderers, brings together two proud footballing groups united by respect and remembrance.
Returning to the touchline this year will be Adelaide United great Travis Dodd and with Ben Dale, who will share coaching duties for the Legends side. The star-studded line-up includes club icons Javi López, Marcos Flores, Lucas Pantelis, Richie Alagich, and Michael Marrone, alongside other fan favourites such as Adriano Pellegrino, Daniel Mullen, Matt Kemp, and Shane Smeltz.
Adelaide United Legends Team
Coaches: Travis Dodd & Ben Dale
Adam van Dommele
Adriano Pellegrino
Chad Bugeja
Daniel Mullen
David Scarsella
Iain Fyfe
Jason Spagnuolo
Javi López
Lucas Pantelis
Marcos Flores
Matt Kemp
Michael Brooks
Michael Marrone
Richie Alagich
Shane Smeltz
After falling 2-0 to the ADF Football side last season, the Legends will be eager to reclaim bragging rights, while the ADF squad — featuring players drawn from the Navy, Army, and Air Force — look to defend their title following a composed and disciplined performance in 2024.
The ADF team will once again train at Adelaide United’s Playford High Performance Centre in the lead-up to the fixture, while the Legends will hold a light session at Coopers Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Curtain Raiser Schedule – Friday, 7 November
- Gates Open: 4:15pm
- Kick-Off: 4:30pm (Two 30-minute halves)
- Half-Time: 5:00pm (15 mins)
- Full-Time: 5:45pm
Following the curtain raiser, Adelaide United’s annual Remembrance Round Ceremony will take place before the A-League Men’s fixture, continuing a proud tradition that began in 2011. The ceremony will include the reading of the Ode of Remembrance, bugle renditions of the Last Post and Rouse, and a moment of silence to honour those who served and sacrificed.
Our players will proudly wear commemorative poppies on their kits in recognition of Remembrance Day.
Following the match, each of the match-worn shirts will be auctioned off via Match Worn Shirt, giving supporters the opportunity to own a special piece of memorabilia while contributing to a meaningful cause.
As part of the occasion this year, the Royal Australian Navy will host a Community Engagement Stand on the Coopers Stadium concourse, featuring a Navy Rhib and trailer, a 6×3 marquee, and interactive VR goggles, giving fans a hands-on experience of life in the Navy.
The Australian Army will also have a Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle on display, accompanied by their soldiers, providing fans with the opportunity to view the vehicle up close and engage with Army personnel.
At the conclusion of both matches, the Tomas Dale Medal will once again be presented — recognising the player who best embodies sportsmanship and respect. Last year’s A-League Men’s medal was awarded to Zach Clough, and in 2025, medals will again be presented following both the Legends curtain raiser and the main game.
The medal commemorates Private Tomas Dale, who tragically lost his life during operations in Afghanistan in 2010. It remains a meaningful symbol of courage, camaraderie, and the enduring connection between football and the Australian Defence Force.
Previous winners of the Tomas Dale Medal
2011 Iain Ramsey
2012 Dario Vidosic
2013 Marcelo Carrusca
2014 Not awarded
2015 Not awarded
2016 Jordan O’Doherty
2017 Nigel Boogaard (Newcastle Jets)
2018 Shane Lowry (Perth Glory)
2019 James Troisi
2020 Not awarded
2021 Not awarded
2022 Ryan Kitto (Remembrance Day), Nestory Irankunda (Anzac Day)
2023 Joe Lolley (Sydney FC)
2024 Zach Clough
Tickets for Friday night’s match are available HERE.
Kick-off for Adelaide United v Western Sydney Wanderers is at 7:05pm ACDT, and fans are encouraged to arrive early for the Legends v ADF Football curtain raiser and the Remembrance Ceremony.
