Royal Navy footballers provided the icing on the cake for fans in their centenary year by taking the Inter-Services title in the Army’s own back yard.

A 2-0 victory at Aldershot capped a memorable seven days for the senior Navy side, which a week earlier had seen off the RAF at Fratton Park.

The home of Premiership strugglers Portsmouth – and in days gone by also the home of the RN footballing side – saw the sailors see off the airmen 3-1.

The victories mean the football trophy cabinet is full in time for the RN Football Association’s 100th birthday celebration aboard HMS Warrior this summer.

The road to the championship title began with the RAF somewhat overawed by surroundings at Fratton Park, watched by more than 1,000 spectators, including many local schoolchildren.

The home team got off to a cracking start, and had the lead inside four minutes through a header from PO Fraser Quirke.

Soon afterwards, CPO Nigel Thwaites had doubled the RN’s advantage when Sgt Richie Hope delivered a neat cross to the near post for the senior rate to slide the ball into the net.

The goal prompted a RAF fightback, and after a couple of corners, Senior Aircraftsman Darren Shallicker bundled the ball in to peg the RN back to a one-goal lead.

The RAF dominated the last ten minutes of the first half, but an crashing 30-yard strike from PO Davie Wilson three minutes after the re-start all but killed the fliers off.

RAF keeper Andy Niven pulled off a string of saves to prevent the Navy adding to their lead, while Navy goalkeeper OM Jamie McGall threw himself at Shallicker as the game drew to a close to deny the RAF man a second goal.

With a handy win under their belts, the RN was again fast out of the blocks when they faced the Army in Aldershot.

After 15 minutes of almost constant pressure, Sgt Hope broke clear of the home defence to shoot past the keeper and into the net.

The goal set the scene for much of the first half, with the RN dominating play without capitalising on it, and keeper AEM Robbie Robinson (HMS Heron) pulled off two fine saves in only his second cap for the full navy side.

It was 13 minutes into the second half before the Navy doubled their score – a corner was met by a firm header from CPO Steve Riley (HMS Neptune), and when that effort was blocked, the ball fell to PO Quirke, who hooked it home with a left volley.

Victory over the Army clinched the Inter-Services trophy and the Constantinople Cup.

WO Neal Frame, RN coach, said it was not just winning which counted, but the style in which his side had performed.

“The team has been magnificent. We had game plans for both matches and they played to them. It’s been an excellent championship with all three teams contributing to some fine games,” he said.