Private military company and AFC Telford United: Difference between pages

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Revision as of 16:45, 28 April 2007

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{{Football club infobox |

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clubname = AFC Telford United |

{{cleanup|November 2006}}

motto = Numquam Obliviscere "Never Forget" |

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image = [[Image:Av-34.jpg |AFC Telford United crest]] |

A '''Private Military Company (PMC)''' is a [[for-profit]] [[enterprise]], sometimes a [[corporation]] or a [[limited liability partnership]], which provides specialized services and expertise related to activites formerly associated with the state. The services and expertise include [[defense]] functions, military training, [[force protection]], and [[security]] tasks. While PMCs often provide services to supplement operations involving official [[armed forces]], they also are used to undertake security tasks where no state actor is involved, such as [[bodyguard|personal security details]]. PMCs tend to be concentrated in areas of [[low intensity conflict]], where deploying traditional armed forces might be too politically, diplomatically, or economically risky. However, they also collaborate with strong states providing military training and in endeavors associated with the enhancement of homeland security.

fullname = Association Football Club Telford United |

nickname = The Bucks or Lillywhites |

motto = Numquam Obliviscere "Never Forget" |

founded = [[2004]] ([[1872]] as Parish Church Institute) |

ground = [[New Bucks Head]]<br />[[Telford]] |

capacity = 6300 |

owner = [[The Supporters]] |

chairman = {{flagicon|England}} [[Lee_Carter_AFCTU|Lee Carter]] |

manager = {{flagicon|England}} [[Rob Smith (footballer)|Rob Smith]] {{flagicon|England}} [[Larry Chambers]]|

league = [[Northern Premier League Premier Division]] |

season = 2005-06 |

position = NPL Premier Division, 10th |

pattern_la1=|pattern_b1=|pattern_ra1=|

leftarm1=FFFFFF|body1=FFFFFF|rightarm1=FFFFFF|shorts1=000000|socks1=000000|

pattern_la2=|pattern_b2=|pattern_ra2=|

leftarm2=FF0000|body2=FF0000|rightarm2=FF0000|shorts2=FF0000|socks2=FF0000|

}}

==General terms==

'''A.F.C. Telford United''' are an [[England | English]] football club based in [[Telford]], [[Shropshire]], playing in the [[Northern Premier League Premier Division]].

PMCs are also known as "private security companies" or "security contractors," although the latter term usually refers to individuals employed or contracted by PMCs. Services are mainly rendered for other business corporations, international and non-governmental organizations, and state forces.

They were formed on [[28 May]] [[2004]] by supporters of [[Telford United]] after it became clear that the club would cease to exist. [[Bernard McNally]] was installed as the manager as the team embarked on their first ever season. The club's colours are black and white.

Private military companies are sometimes grouped into the general category of [[defense contractor]]s. However, most defense contractors supply specialized hardware and perhaps also personnel to support and service that hardware, whereas PMCs supply personnel with specialized operational and tactical skills, which often include combat experience.

==Background==

The 1949, [[Third Geneva Convention]] (GCIII) does not recognize the difference between defense contractors and PMCs; it defines a category called ''supply contractors''. If the supply contractor has been issued with a valid identity card from the armed forces which they accompany, they are entitled to be treated as prisoners of war upon capture (GCIII Article 4.1.4). If, however, the contractor engages in combat, he/she can be classified as a [[mercenary]] by the captors under the 1997 ''Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions'' ([[Protocol I]]) Article 47.c, unless falling under an exemption to this clause in Article 47. If captured contractors are found to be mercenaries, they are an [[unlawful combatant]] and lose the right to prisoner of war status.

AFC Telford United are a phoenix club formed from the ashes of [[Telford United]] in 2004. Late into the 2003-04 season, the [[Telford United]] chairman and 100% shareholder Andrew John Shaw's business empire collapsed and all funding for United disappeared, forcing the club he had attempted to bankroll into the Football League into administration.

==United States==

The [[United States]] State Department employs several companies to provide support in danger zones that would be difficult for conventional U.S. forces. The military employs many of them as guards to extremely high ranking U.S. government officials in hot spots all around the world. The term most often refers to the two dozen U.S. firms that provide services for [[the Pentagon]] and indirectly assist in overseas theaters of operation. Some contractors have served in advisory roles that help train local militaries to fight more effectively instead of intervening directly. Much of the peacekeeper training the United States provides to African militaries is done by private firms, and with the increasing absence of Western military support to international peace operations, the private sector is commonly utilized to provide services to peace and stability operations from Haiti to Darfur.

The club's supporters rallied and raised around £50,000 in two months, however with crippling debts owed to various creditors amounting to over £4million there was little hope for the club and the old Telford United were forced into liquidation on [[27th May]] [[2004]].

The [[Center for Public Integrity]] reported that since 1994, the [[United States Department of Defense|Defense Department]] entered into 3,601 contracts worth $300 billion with 12 U.S. based PMCs. Some view this as an inevitable cost cutting measure and responsible [[privatization]] of critical aspects of a military. However, many feel this is a troubling trend, since these private companies are not directly accountable to a [[congress|legislative body]] and may cost more than providing the same functions within the military.

On the same day that the proposed liquidation was announced, the supporters trust (Telford United Supporters Ltd) created and became the sole owners of a new football club - AFC Telford United. In the close season, manager Bernard McNally was appointed and a new squad assembled, the ground lease and assets were secured and the new club was placed in the [[Northern Premier League]] Division One by the FA.

Another issue of concern has been the recent high-profile operation of various PMCs within the United States, specifically during the initial response after [[Hurricane Katrina]] in [[New Orleans]]. Supporters are quick to point out the stabilizing influence that the operators these companies put into place in the first few days provided, whereas detractors have levied claims of abuse and unlawful activities. Neither side has provided much proof to back their claims, however, beyond anecdotal evidence.

==Performance==

Domestic operations are generally under the auspice of state or federal agencies such as the [[Department of Energy]] or the [[Department of Homeland Security]] rather than the Department of Defense, and thus a greater level of oversight seems to exist. However, it remains to be seen whether this apparent oversight will create an environment that will preclude troublesome incidents. Regardless of the political or social ramifications, the business end of it is definitely increasing. Driven by increasingly greater fears of domestic terror attacks and civil unrest and disruption in the wake of disasters, more and more [[conventional]] security companies are moving into operations arenas that would fall within the definition of a PMC.

In their first season, the club began with indifferent form, with a lack of consistency leaving them in mid-table and out of both the [[FA Cup]] and [[FA Trophy]]. However, following a 1-0 away defeat at [[Willenhall Town F.C.|Willenhall Town]] on [[December 30]] [[2004]], the side never lost another league game all season, challenging for the title before eventually finishing third place, three points behind the champions [[North Ferriby United A.F.C.|North Ferriby United]]. In the subsequent playoffs, they defeated [[Eastwood Town]] 1-0 before defeating [[Kendal Town F.C.|Kendal Town]] 2-1 in the final to clinch promotion. The final was attended by 4,215 people, a record in that league.

===U.S. Administration Policy on PMCs===

On [[5 December]] [[2005]], U.S. Secretary of Defense [[Donald Rumsfeld]] held a lecture dubbed "''The Future of Iraq''" at [[Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies]].<ref>[http://www.sais-jhu.edu/pubaffairs/media_events/Media_Advisories/MA2005/rumsfeld05.html Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to Speak at JHU SAIS], press release December 2, 2005</ref> During a Q&A session afterwards he was asked a question by graduate student Kate Bateman regarding PMCs.

Midway through their second season, Telford found themselves wallowing in second from bottom position of the table. Under much supporter unrest, McNally was removed as manager, with [[Sean Parrish]] taking over the duties as caretaker. Results improved immediately, and the side were unbeaten under Parrish's guidance.

On Thursday 16 February, the new management team was announced: Rob Smith assisted by Larry Chambers. The pair had been managing [[Willenhall Town F.C.|Willenhall Town]]. The team's results have since improved dramatically and after an unbeaten run after the installation of the new management duo, they finished the season in 10th place.

After a frenzied summer of transfer activity during which virtually the entire squad was renovated, the club entered it's third season in much better shape to take the Unibond Premier division and mount a serious challenge for the title. After enjoying the club's most successful start to a season, and the most successful start of any Telford side in history, AFC Telford United topped the Unibond Premier League table after 15 games whilst racking up the best goal difference of any senior team in the British Isles. After an impressive start and 4 points against 2nd placed local rivals [[Hednesford Town F.C.|Hednesford Town]] form began to slip.

<blockquote>'''Bateman''': "There are currently thousands of private military contractors in Iraq and you were just speaking of [[rules of engagement]] in regards to Iraqi personnel and US personnel. Could you speak to, since the private contractors are operating outside the [[Uniform Code of Military Justice]], could you speak to what law or rules of engagement do govern their behaviour and whether there has been any study showing that it is cost-effective to have them in Iraq rather than US military personnel. Thank you."</blockquote>

==The New Bucks Head==

<blockquote>'''Rumsfeld''': "Thank you. It is clearly cost-effective to have contractors for a variety of things that military people need not do and that for whatever reason other civilian government people cannot be deployed to do. There are a lot of contractors. A growing number. They come from our country - but they come from all countries; and indeed sometimes the contracts are from our country, or another country, and they employ people from totally different countries; including Iraqis and people from neighbouring nations. And there are a lot of them and it's a growing number. And of course we've got to begin with the fact that, as you point out, they're not subject to the uniform code of military justice; we understand that. There are laws that govern the behaviour of Americans in that country - the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]] oversees that. The [long hesitation] there is an issue that is current as to the extent to which they can or cannot carry weapons and that's an issue. It's also an issue of course with the Iraqis but, if you think about it, Iraq is a sovereign country, they have their laws and they're going to govern. The [[United Nations|UN]] resolution and the Iraqi laws, as well as US procedures and laws, govern behaviour in that country depending on who the individual is and what he's doing, but I'm personally of the view that there are a lot of things that can be done on a short time basis by contractors that advantage the United States, and advantage other countries who also hire contractors. Any idea that we shouldn't have them I think would be unwise."</blockquote>

AFC Telford United's [[New Bucks Head]] stadium is arguably the best non-league ground in the country, also putting many football league grounds to shame.

===New U.S. Law on PMCs===

According to the FY2007 Defense Budget appropriation bill, the text of the UCMJ has been amended to allow for prosecution of military contractors who are deployed in a "declared war or a contingency operation."

Construction of the new stadium commenced in 2000, replacing the Bucks Head ground which had been home to Wellington Town and later [[Telford United]] for over a century. Although the Bucks Head held a special place in the hearts of many supporters, it was in desperate need of renovation. The terraces were a mixture of concrete steps and cinder banking, one of the stands was built from wood and the toilet facilities left a lot to be desired.

"SEC. 552. CLARIFICATION OF APPLICATION OF UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE DURING A TIME OF WAR.

Paragraph (10) of section 802(a) of title 10, United States Code (article 2(a) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), is amended by striking `war' and inserting `declared war or a contingency operation'."

<ref>http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c109:6:./temp/~c109clp1j4:e310300:</ref>

In the 1999-2000 season, demolition work began on the Railway End terraces, albeit slowly at first. The following season, the new stadium slowly began to take shape. [[Telford United F.C.|Telford United]] played with only two terraces in operation, with a small temporary stand situated on what is now the East Terrace and portacabins in the car park were used for changing rooms.

==Issues regarding the role of PMCs==

Nicholas von Hoffmann, writing in the June 2004 issue of [[Harper's Magazine|''Harper's'']] (p.79-80), gives a brief but strong statement of the case against the growing role of military contractors to provide personnel on or near the front lines:

<blockquote>In theory, private contracting creates competitive pressure to reduce costs, but in practice the bidding process can be so opaque and distorted by favoritism that it becomes an empty formality... The financial savings have turned out to be highly debatable. The costs and attendant risks are not. The government's monopoly of violence -- its role as the guarantor of civil peace and the rule of law -- has been diluted by the new arrangements.</blockquote>

The stadium was finally completed in 2003 and can now hold up to 6,300 supporters.

==The International Peace Operations Association (IPOA)==

The [[International Peace Operations Association]] (IPOA) is non-governmental trade association committed to promoting high operational and ethical standards of firms active in the Peace and Stability Industry; engaging in a constructive dialogue with policy-makers about the growing and positive contribution of these firms to the enhancement of international peace, development, and human security; and informing the concerned public about the activities and role of the industry. The IPOA was founded by former academic Doug Brooks in April 2001 and now has its own in-house journal, ''The Journal of International Peace Operations''. <ref>[http://ipoaonline.org]</ref>

For more information consult a paper on "Legitimacy and Accountability of Private Military Companies"<ref>[http://paolonalin.ionmetrix.com/doc/PMC%20Legitimacy%20and%20Accountability_LE.pdf Private Military Companies: Legitimacy and Accountability], student paper by [http://www.nalin.ca/ Paolo Nalin] for [[McGill University]].</ref>

==Current First Team Squad==

==Recruitment==

{{football squad start}}

In light of the above issues, some commentators have argued that there has been a recent exodus from many [[special forces]] across the globe towards these private military corporations. The [[United Kingdom]] [[Special Air Service]]<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/02/14/nsas14.xml Crisis as SAS men quit for lucrative Iraq jobs], The Daily Telegraph article dated 15/02/2005</ref><ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/05/23/nirq123.xml Soldiers to be allowed a year off to go to Iraq to earn £500 a day as guards], The Daily Telegraph article dated 23/05/2004</ref>, the [[United States Army]] [[United States Army Special Forces|Special Forces]]<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/02/07/welite07.xml $150,000 incentive to stay in US elite forces], The Daily Telegraph article dated 07/02/2005</ref> and the [[Canadian Army]]'s [[Joint Task Force 2]]<ref>[http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.html?id=1109da57-944c-45a4-962d-9f89d591341a Special forces get pay raise], [[National Post]] article dated August 26, 2006</ref> have allegedly been hit particularly hard. Military staff are lured by the fact that entry level positions with the various companies can pay up to $100,000 a year in some instances, or as high as $1000 a day(most are deployed for a year and a half), which is 2-3 times more than what an average special forces soldier is paid. However, this conventional wisdom has been disputed especially in the [[United States]] where [[GAO]] research has detected no noticeable exodus.{{fact}}

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{{football squad end}}

==PMC activities in Iraq==

Currently in [[Iraq]] there are thought to be at least 100,000 contractors working directly for the [[United States]] [[Department of Defense]] which is a tenfold increase in the use of private contractors for military operations since the [[Persian Gulf War]], just over a decade earlier.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/04/AR2006120401311.html Census Counts 100,000 Contractors in Iraq], Washington Post article dated December 5, 2006.</ref>

===Goalscorers this Season===

===Events involving PMCs in Iraq===

* Employees of private military company [[CACI]] were involved in the Iraq [[Abu Ghraib prison scandal]] in [[2003]], and [[2004]].

* On [[March 31]], [[2004]], four American private contractors belonging to the company [[Blackwater USA]] were ambushed and killed by guerillas as they drove through [[Fallujah]]. They were dragged from their car in one of the most violent attacks on U.S. citizens in the conflict. Following the attack, an angry [[Crowd|mob]] [[Mutilation|mutilated]] and [[Cremation|burned]] the bodies, dragging them through the streets before they were hung on a bridge. (''See also'': [[Operation Vigilant Resolve]])

* On [[March 28]], [[2005]], 16 American contractors and three Iraqi aides from Zapata Engineering, under contract to the [[US Army Corps of Engineers]] to manage an ammunition storage depot, were detained following two incidents in which they allegedly fired upon [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine]] checkpoint. While later released, the civilian contractors have levied complaints of mistreatment against the Marines who detained them.

* On [[October 27]], [[2005]], a "trophy" video, complete with post-production [[Elvis]] music, appearing to show private military contractors in Baghdad shooting Iraqi civilians sparked two investigations after it was posted on the Internet. <ref>[http://movies.crooksandliars.com/Aegis-PSD.mov A movieclip containing the behaviour of alleged Aegis Defence Services driving in Iraq]</ref><ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/11/27/wirq27.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/11/27/ixworld.html 'Trophy' video exposes private security contractors shooting up Iraqi drivers], [[Daily Telegraph]] article from 26/11/2005.</ref><ref>[http://thedanreport.blogspot.com/2005/11/clearing-up-supposed-aegis-video.html Discussion on a blog about Aegis trophy video]</ref> The video has been linked unofficially to [[Aegis Defence Services]]. The man who is seen shooting vehicles on this video in Iraq was a South African employee of Aegis Victory team named Danny Heydenreycher. He served in the British military for 6 years. After the incident the regional director for Victory ROC tried to fire Heydenreycher, but the team threatened to resign if he did. As of [[December 2005]], Aegis is conducting a formal inquiry into the issue, although some concerns on its impartiality have been raised.

* '''Steve Foster''' 17

===Alleged War crimes in Iraq===

* '''Lee Moore''' 14

Several of these private US military contractors have been accused of having been involved in committing war crimes such as the deaths of Iraqis during interrogation. There is no method of formally trying such people for war crimes.

* '''Dean Craven''' 8

<ref>[http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2004/04/30/iraq8521.htm Iraq: U.S. Prisoner Abuse Sparks Concerns Over War Crimes], [[Human Rights Watch]] report dated April 30, 2004.</ref><ref>[http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2004/05/05/iraq8547_txt.htm Q&A: Private Military Contractors and the Law], Human Rights Watch report</ref><ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/cgi-bin/print.cgi?file=/views04/0502-04.htm Above Law, Above Decency], article originally published in [[Los Angeles Times]] May 2, 2004</ref>

* '''Justin Marsden''' 6

* '''Gary Birch''' 5

* '''Jimmy Turner''' 4

* '''Lee Vaughan''' 4

* '''Tyrone Barnett''' 3

* '''Andy Jones''' 3

* '''Dean Perrow''' 3

* '''Richard Beale''' 2

** Gary Hay 2 (Now at [[Bromsgrove_Rovers_F.C.|Bromsgrove Rovers]])

* '''Carl Rodgers''' 2

* '''Richard Teesdale''' 2

* '''Ben Twigger''' 2

* '''Inderpaul Khela''' 1

* '''Steve Pope''' 1

* '''Jai Stanley''' 1

** Glenn Tolley 1 (Now at [[Newtown_F.C.|Newtown AFC]])

* '''Scott Willis''' 1

==PMC activities elsewhere==

* In [[1999]], an episode with [[DynCorp]] in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]] was particularly embarrassing for the U.S. military. A [[Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act]] (RICO) lawsuit was filed against DynCorp employees stationed in Bosnia, which found: "employees and supervisors from DynCorp were engaging in perverse, illegal and inhumane behavior and were purchasing illegal weapons, women, forged passports and participating in other immoral acts."

* On [[April 5]], [[2005]], Jamie Smith, CEO of [[SCG International Risk]] announced the expansion of services from the traditional roles of PMC's of protection and intelligence to military aviation support. [http://www.scgair.com/index.html SCG International Air] would provide air support, medevac (medical evacuation), rotary and fixed-wing transportation, heavy-lift cargo, armed escort and executive air travel to "any ___location on earth." This marks a unique addition and expansion of services to rival the capabilities of some country's armies and air forces.

* On [[March 27]], [[2006]], [[J. Cofer Black]], vice chairman of [[Blackwater USA]] announced to attendees of a special operations exhibition in Jordan that his company could now provide a [[brigade]]-size force for [[low intensity conflict]]s. According to Black, "There is clear potential to conduct security operations at a fraction of the cost of NATO operations.<ref>"[http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/06/front2453824.0319444444.html U.S. firm offers 'private armies' for low-intensity conflicts], WorldTribune article from March 29, 2006</ref>

* In mid-May [[2006]], the Congolese police arrested 32 alleged mercenaries of different nationalities; 19 South Africans, 10 Nigerians and three Americans. Half of them work for a South African company named Omega Security Solutions and the Americans for AQMI Strategy Corp. The men were accused of plotting to overthrow the government but charges weren't pressed. The men were deported to their home countries.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/24/AR2006052401591.html Congo Holding 3 Americans in Alleged Coup Plot], [[Washington Post]] article from May 25, 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/29/AR2006052900556.html Congo Deports Nearly 3 Dozen Foreigners], Washington Post article from May 29, 2006.</ref>

==List of PMCs==

===U.S. companies===

* [[3D Global Solutions]] ([http://www.3dglobalsolutions.net/ Website])<ref>[http://www.ww4report.com/node/1127 Honduras: Iraq mercenaries recruited], blog off World War 4 Report</ref>

* [[Alpha Point Security]] ([http://www.alphapointsecurity.com/ Website]) Armed Security, UAV-Intelligence (ISR) and Consulting... defense against piracy, terrorists and rebels.

* [[AQMI Strategy Corp]]

* [[Blackwater USA]]

* [[Braddock Dunn & McDonald]] (BDM) long-established defense contractor purchased in mid-1990s by [[TRW]] and onsold to [[Northrop Grumman]] in December 2002

* [[CACI]] - California Analysis Center, Incorporated

* [[Berodt Dynamics]], Defence contractor from Iowa

* [[Defion Internacional]], ([http://www.defion.net/ Website])

* [[DynCorp]], ([http://www.dyn-intl.com Website])

* [[Eastern Cross]]

* [[Elite Security Corps]]

* [[Kellogg Brown and Root]] - Division of [[Halliburton]]

* [[Landmine Sourcing]] - Global PMC Recruiters ([http://www.landminesourcing.com/ Website])

* [[Military Professional Resources Inc.]] (MPRI) ([http://www.mpri.com/ Website])

* [[Northbridge Services Group]]

* [[Overwatch Protection Solutions International]], ([http://www.ops-int.com/ Website])

* [[Paratus World Wide Protection]], ([http://www.paratusiraq.com/ Website])

* [[Ronin Worldwide Executive Protection, LLC]], ([http://www.roninworldwide.com/ Website])

* [[SCG International Risk]] ([http://www.scgonline.net Website])

* [[SkyLink USA]], affiliated with [[SkyLink Aviation]] <ref>[http://www.publicintegrity.org/wow/bio.aspx?act=pro&ddlC=53 SkyLink Air and Logistic Support (USA) Inc.], [[Center for Public Integrity]] report</ref>

* [[SOS Temps, Inc]] founded by former Navy Seal [[Richard Marcinko]].

* [[Spartan Consulting Group]] ([http://www.spartanconsultinggroup.com/ Website])

* [[Titan Corporation]]

* [[Top Cat Marine Security]] ([http://www.topcatmarinesecurity.com Website])

* [[Triple Canopy, Inc.]] ([http://www.triplecanopy.com/ Website])

* [[Vinnell Corporation]]

* [[VIP Investigations & Protective Services Inc.]] ([http://www.usfind.com/ Website])

===U.K. companies===

* [[Adson Holdings]], (registered in [[Guernsey]]) &ndash; owners of [[Sandline International]]

* [[Aegis Defence Services]], ([http://www.aegisworld.com Website])

* [[AKE Group]], ([http://www.akegroup.com Website])

* [[Armor Group]], ([http://www.armorgroup.com Website])

* [[Branch Energy]] Ltd, (registered in the [[Isle of Man]])

* [[Corporate Warriors]] - Division of the [[Brillstein Security Group]], ([http://www.corporate-warriors-global.com/ Website])

* [[Defence Services]] Ltd,

* [[Erinys International]], joint South Africa-[[Britain]]

* [[Gurkha Security Guards]], (registered in [[Guernsey]])

* [[Hart Security Limited]]

* [[Hostile Control Tactics]], ([http://www.hctactics.com Website])

* [[Sandline International]] (ceased operations on April 16, 2004)

* [[Plaza 107]]

* [[Securiforce]]

===Others===

* [[Black Oak Security]], Poland ([http://www.blackoak.pl Website])

* [[Diamond Works]], Canada (purchased Branch Energy in 1996)

* [[Executive Outcomes]], [[South Africa]] (ceased operations on January 1, 1999)

* [[IPIH (risk analysis, technology research and cyber-security)]], [[Israel]]-[[USA]] ([http://www.ipih.com Website])

* [[Levdan]] - [[Israel]]

* [[Meteoric Tactical Solutions]], South Africa

* [[Olive Group]] ([http://www.olivesecurity.com Website])

* [[Omega Group]] - [[Norway]]

* [[Omega Security Solutions]] -South Africa

* [[Strategic Resources Corporation]], South Africa

*'''Indicates player is still at the club.'''

== In popular culture ==

**Indicates player has now left the club.

* In the video game ''[[Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction]]'' the player plays as a mercenary working for a PMC known as "Executive Operations".

* In the video game ''[[Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots]],'' PMCs appear as the main antagonists.

* In the video game ''[[Army of Two]]'', the player characters are PMCs.

* In the [[Tom Clancy]] video game series ''[[Splinter Cell]]'', a character named [[Douglas Shetland]] is CEO and founder of a PMC named Displace International. Also in the multiplayer modes of Splinter Cell, there is another PMC named ARGUS, which unwittingly and constantly become contracted to terrorists.

* In [[Final Fantasy VIII]], the Gardens are essentially PMCs and the SeeDs are their mercenaries.

* In the CBS show [[The Unit]], the protagonist, [[Jonas Blane]], is urged by his wife, Molly, to join a PMC. Molly Blane also freelances for a PMC.

* In an episode of the TV series [[Kidnapped (2006 TV series)|Kidnapped]], aired on October 21, 2006, lead character Knapp posed as a job applicant to a PMC to gain access to its internal computer system. When discovered by the PMC's security, they detained him and attempted to transport him as a prisoner to Dubai, stating he now had "no future". In the same episode, an F.B.I. agent described PMCs as the kind of organization that "has Dick Cheney on their speed dial".

* Episodes of the TV series [[Jericho (TV series)|Jericho]] feature appearances by members of a fictional PMC called Ravenwood Security.

==Resources==

* Goals counted include those scored in The Unibond League Premier Division , The FA Cup , The FA Trophy , The Shropshire Senior Cup and The Unibond League Challenge Cup. Goals scored in friendly matches are not counted towards totals.

Academic Publications

==Club Records==

* [http://www.cambridge.org/uk/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=0521615356 The Market for Force: The Consequences of Privatizing Security], by Deborah D. Avant, George Washington University, August 2005. ISBN 0-521-61535-6

*'''Record Home Win:''' 4-0 vs [[Belper_Town_F.C.|Belper Town,]] 12/04/2005

** 5-1 vs [[Market_Drayton_Town_F.C.|Market Drayton Town]], 18/04/2006 (Shropshire Senior Cup Semi-Final 2006)

** 5-1 vs [[Leek_Town_F.C.|Leek Town,]] 30/09/2006

** 4-0 vs [[Gateshead_F.C.|Gateshead,]] 11/11/2006

*'''Record Away Win:''' 7-0 vs [[Runcorn_FC_Halton|Runcorn FC Halton,]] 17/04/2006.

*'''Record Home Defeat:''' 6-3 vs [[Bradford_Park_Avenue_F.C.|Bradford (Park Avenue),]] 03/09/2005

*'''Record Away Defeat:''' 5-1 vs [[Shrewsbury_Town_F.C.|Shrewsbury Town,]] 27/07/2004 (Shropshire Senior Cup Final 2004)

** 4-0 vs [[Witton_Albion_F.C.|Witton Albion,]] 26/12/2005.

*'''Record Home Crowd:''' 5710 vs [[Burscough_F.C.|Burscough FC,]] 28/04/2007

*'''Record Away Crowd:''' 3005 vs [[Hednesford_Town_F.C.|Hednesford Town,]] 01/01/2007

*[http://www.amazon.com/Private-Armies-Military-Intervention-Shearer/dp/0198294409/sr=1-1/qid=1165885640/ref=sr_1_1/002-3378526-8340856?ie=UTF8&s=books Private Armies and Military Intervention], by David Shearer, April 1998. ISBN 0-19-829440-9

*'''Unbeaten Run''' 37 games, 21/1/2006 to 9/12/2006

*[http://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Warriors-Privatized-Military-Industry/dp/0801489156/sr=1-1/qid=1165884433/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-3378526-8340856?ie=UTF8&s=books Corporate Warriors: The Rise of the Privatized Military Industry] by [[Peter W. Singer ]], Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution. Cornell University Press, March 2004. ISBN 0-8014-8915-6

*'''Best League Finish:''' 10/22, [[Northern_Premier_League_Premier_Division|Northern League Premier Division]] 2005-06.

*[http://www.dcaf.ch/publications/kms/details.cfm?lng=en&id=18346&nav1=4 Privatising Security: Law, Practice and Governance of Private Military and Security Companies] by Fred Schreier and Marina Caparini, DCAF Occasional Paper 6, The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, March 2005.

*'''Best FA Cup Performance:''' 2nd Qualifying Round vs [[Nuneaton_Borough_F.C.|Nuneaton Borough]] 24/09/2005 (1-3)

*'''Best FA Trophy Performance:''' 3rd Qualifying Round (Replay) vs [[Worksop_Town_F.C.|Worksop Town]] 29/11/2005 (1-2)

<br />

Non-Academic publications

*'''Best Shropshire Senior Cup Performance:''' Final - 3 Times,

*[http://www.makingakilling.co.uk/ Making A Killing], by James Ashcroft. Virgin Books. ISBN 1-85227-311-9

**Best result vs [[Shrewsbury_Town_F.C.|Shrewsbury Town,]] 25/07/2006, (1-1 - Shrewsbury Win 3-1 on penalties)

*'''Best Unibond Challenge Cup Performance:''' 3rd Round vs [[Witton_Albion_F.C.|Witton Albion,]] 07/01/2006 (0-1)

*'''Best Unibond Chairman's Cup Performance:''' Semi-Final vs [[Kidsgrove_Athletic_F.C.|Kidsgrove Athletic,]] 05/03/2005 (1-3 AET)

* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400097819 Licensed to Kill : Privatizing the War on Terror], by [[Robert Young Pelton]], Aug, 2006. ISBN 1-4000-9781-9

* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592281001 Three Worlds Gone Mad: Dangerous Journeys through the War Zones of Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific], by Robert Young Pelton, Aug, 2006. ISBN 1-59228-100-1

*'''Record Goal Scorer:''' [[Kyle_Perry|Kyle Perry]], 32 goals. (September 2004-July 2006)

*[http://www.amazon.com/Unorthodox-Soldier-Tim-Spicer/dp/1840183497/ref=pd_sim_b_4/002-3378526-8340856 An Unorthodox Soldier], by [[Tim Spicer]], Sep 2000. ISBN 1-84018-349-7

*'''Most Goals In One Season:''' [[Kyle_Perry|Kyle Perry]], 23 goals (2004-05)

*'''Most Appearances:''' [[Stuart_Brock|Stuart Brock]], 130 Appearances. (July 2004-Present)

* Additional Bibliography available at [http://www.privatemilitary.org/books.html PrivateMilitary.org's Books]

*'''Longest Serving Player(s)''' [[Stuart Brock|Stuart Brock]] (2004- Present)

** [[Dean Craven|Dean Craven]] (2004-Present)

==References==

*'''Record Signing (Inward):''' [[Lee Moore (footballer)|Lee Moore]] from [[Tamworth_FC|Tamworth]] on 08/12/06 for a fee of £5000.

<!--See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref> and </ref> tags and the tag below -->

*'''Record Signing (Outward):''' [[Duane_Courtney|Duane Courtney]] to [[Burnley_F.C.|Burnley]] on 31/08/05 for a fee of about £33,000 along with a sell-on clause.

<div class="references-small"><references/></div>

==External links==

===Official websites===

{{External links|December 2006}}

*[http://www.telfordutd.co.uk Official AFC Telford United website]

===Websites focusing on Private Military Companies===

*[http://www.tust.org Telford United Supporters Ltd]

* [http://www.privatemilitary.org/ PrivateMilitary.org]: a private, independent, non-profit initiative that offers people interested in Private Military Companies (PMCs) a selection of hyperlinks pointing at various firms, documents, organizations, and resources related to the PMC subject and debate. A free and open resource: no sign-in, log-in, or tracking.

*[http://www.unibondleague.com/tables.php Unibond League Official Website]

*[http://TheSpyWhoBilledMe.com The Spy Who Billed Me] author [[R J Hillhouse]]'s national security blog, focusing upon private military and intelligence corporations and other topics related to the outsourcing of the War on Terror.

* [http://www.ipoaonline.org/home/ International Peace Operations Association (IPOA)]. Lobby organization for PMC companies.

* [http://www.SecureAspects.com/ www.SecureAspects.com] a forum and online magazine for people working in the High Risk Civilian Contractor or High Risk Security Contractor Business

* [http://www.CivilianContractorJobs.com/ www.CivilianContractorJobs.com] a resource for people working as Civilian Contractors for PMC's, primarily used by those in non-security related careers

* [http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/defense/1506812.html] Robert Young Pelton's article in Popular Mechanics about his month spent with Blackwater running Route Irish between the Green Zone and Baghdad International Airport.

* [http://www.psd-training.com/ PSD Training] - A UK based training firm offering High Risk PSD Operator and PSD Team Leader courses, along with a 5 week close protection officer course.

* "''[http://www.icij.org/report.aspx?aid=177&sid=100 Making a Killing: The Business of War]''", [[Center for Public Integrity]], October 2002.

* [http://www.pmcs-monitor.com/ PMC's Monitor Association] an international association which advocates for tighter rules to monitor PMCs.

* [http://www.edelweisstactical.com/ Tactical Firearms Training]- Swiss based SET Operator firearms training company run by PSD Contractors

* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Private_Military_Corporations Sourcewatch] - extensive list of international PMCs.

===Unofficial websites===

===Selected items focusing on Iraq===

*[http://www.the-bucks.co.uk The Bucks]

* ''"[http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1451137,00.html Fury at 'shoot for fun' memo: Outburst by US security firm in Iraq is attacked by human rights groups]"'', [[Guardian Unlimited]], April 3 2005 - on civilian casualties Blackwater is responsible for.

* ''"[http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/21422/ Intelligence, Inc.]"'', Alternet, [[7 March]] 2005 - on the role of private military contractors in [[Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse]] scandal

* [[New York Times]] ran an article in the Magazine section in the August 14, 2005 issue about the use of PMC's in Iraq (and mentions previous uses). The article does not seem to be freely available anymore.

* "''[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10547-2005Apr22.html Private Security Workers Living On Edge in Iraq: Downing of Helicopter Shows Heightened Risks]''", [[Washington Post]], April 23 2005 - on contractors failing to follow formal rules of engagement.* "''[http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/warriors/view/ Private Warriors]''", June 2005, [[PBS]] - [[Frontline (PBS)|Frontline]] TV-series documentary, first aired in June 21 2005, that can be downloaded online.

* "''[http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Reconstruction_of_Iraq_contractors Reconstruction of Iraq contractors]''", overview profile at Sourcewatch

* "''[http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/01/15/DDGPB49B271.DTL article "At war Sean Penn finds getting out of Iraq even tougher than getting in"]''", January 15 2005, [[San Francisco Chronicle]] - [[Sean Penn]] writes about his visit to Iraq a week before Saddam Hussein was captured. The article includes his personal encounter with [[DynCorp]] and some information about PMC's.

* Barry Yeoman, [http://www.barryyeoman.com/articles/dirtywarriors.html Dirty Warriors, ''Mother Jones'']

* Barry Yeoman, [http://www.barryyeoman.com/articles/needanarmy.html Need an Army? Just Pick Up the Phone, ''The New York Times'']

* "''[http://www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2005/12/04/soldiers_journey_ends_in_anguish/ Soldier's journey ends in anguish]''", [[LA Times]], [[December 4]], [[2005]]

* "''[http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/reconstruct/2005/1204supervision.htm Private Security Guards Operate with Little Supervision]''", [[LA Times]], [[December 4]], [[2005]]

* "''[http://www.newsobserver.com/505/story/421071.html Hired guns unaccountable]''", [[The News & Observer]], [[March 23]], [[2006]]

* "''[http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060508/scahill Blood Is Thicker Than Blackwater]''", [[The Nation]], [[April 19]], [[2006]]

* "''[http://www.dcaf.ch/publications/kms/details.cfm?lng=en&id=18405&nav1=4 The Private Military Industry and Iraq : What Have We Learned and Where To Next?]''", DCAF Policy Paper 6, [[2005]]

*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/sport/telford/index.shtml BBC AFC Telford United]

===Other sites===

*[http://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/clubguides/telford/ Shropshire Star AFC Telford United]

* [http://www.shadowcompanythemovie.com/ Shadow Company] - Documentary film about the privatisation of warfare

* [http://www.privateforces.com/ PRIVATEFORCES.COM] - references and starting point for further studies on private military companies.

* The UK [[Foreign Affairs Committee]] agreed to the following [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmfaff/922/92202.htm (Ninth) Report: On Private Military Companies] on [[23 July]] [[2002]].

* Barry Yeoman, [http://www.barryyeoman.com/articles/soldiersfortune.html Soldiers of Good Fortune, ''Mother Jones'']

* [http://homepage.ntlworld.com/alan-turnbull/secret2.htm#SAS Original research source] for BBC Radio 4 documentary on UK activities of ArmorGroup, [[September]] [[2006]]

==See also==

* [[Mercenaries]]

* [[Arms trade]]

{{Northern_Premier_League}}

[[Category:Private military contractors| ]]

[[Category:English football clubs|Telford United]]

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[[Category:Northern Premier League|Telford United]]

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[[Category:Sport in Shropshire|Telford United]]

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