Football clubs embrace Poppy Appeal with emblems on their shirts

Players from football clubs around the UK – including those at Chelsea, Fulham, QPR, Crystal Palace and Millwall – are set to mark this year’s Remembrance week by wearing shirts bearing poppies.

Sponsors MatchWornShirt have produced the special kits with the poppy emblem to support of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

After the matches, these shirts will be signed by the players who wore them and be made available to own via auction on the MatchWornShirt website and app.

All of the net proceeds of these auctions will be allocated to the Royal British Legion.

This is the sixth consecutive year that MatchWornShirt has teamed up with the Royal British Legion, having previously raised close to £3 million for the Poppy Appeal.

The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal takes place from Thursday until Remembrance Sunday on November 10. Every year the RBL leads the nation in Remembrance across the UK to honour the contribution of our Armed Forces community, past and present.

Fans also have the opportunity to get their hands on a squad-signed shirt in a free-to-enter competition run on the website.

Since it was first worn as an act of Remembrance just over 100 years ago, the red poppy has become an enduring symbol of support for our Armed Forces. This year, the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal highlights the mental scars linked to military service.

Ben France from the Royal British Legion said: “Battlefield trauma and mental health issues can manifest at any time in life and in different ways, including addiction, debt, homelessness and relationship breakdowns. Your poppy enables the RBL to support those who struggle with the upheaval and disruption of service life, and life after service.”

James Flude, head of business at MatchWornShirt said: “The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces community, and we’re incredibly proud to support this cause for the sixth consecutive year.”

To take part, go to: MatchWornShirt.com/poppy

Pictured top: How the Chelsea FC shirt will look. They are due to play Arsenal on Remembrance Sunday (Picture: MatchWornShirt)