City to pay respects to those who have fallen in battle
Exeter City will hold a minutes silence and lay wreaths from the EFL, City supporters’ and Doncaster Rovers supporters’ on the pitch prior to kick-off on Saturday, to remember and honour all of those that have fallen in battle.Kevin Jeffery, the Royal British Legion County Chairman will orate the Exhortaton, followed by a Bugler sounding the last post, which will lead into the minutes silence. The match will be played with a limited edition Mitre match ball, branded with The Royal British Legion’s iconic Poppy logo.
The bucket collection will go to the Royal British Legion and remembrance Poppies will be available around the ground.
EFL Communications Director, Mark Rowan said: “Every single one of our clubs lost players, staff and supporters, it is only right and appropriate that we pay a tribute. Football is all about community and the EFL’s clubs, fans and staff will all stand in silence together to pay our respects this November.”
Sky Bet spokesman Sandro Di Michele added: “We’re delighted to be continuing our relationship with the Royal British Legion into a third season after raising a terrific amount of money last year."
Fought over 141 days between 1 July and 18 November 1916, the Battle of the Somme was one of the defining battles of the First World War. With over 400,000 British casualties and over 1 million men of all nationalities killed, the Somme remains one of the most brutal individual battles ever fought.
One hundred years on, the Battle of the Somme is being remembered across the country as part of the official First World War Centenary commemorations of which the EFL is proud to play its part by marking the centenary of the Battle of the Somme’s end on 19 November
Having launched the #FootballRemembers campaign in March 2014 at the start of the First World War Centenary to mark the contribution made by the game, football continues to pay its respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice 100 years ago.
Sadly, many players, staff and fans of EFL clubs were killed at the Somme, 1,000 whom fought for the Footballers Batallions which included many of the great stars of the day and some of those who would go on to achieve great footballing feats in the post-war era.
This activity will support the British Legion’s national campaign, Sport Remembers the Somme, to commemorate the role played by sporting men and women for the centennial year.