Chelsea Football Club is supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal at both our men and women’s fixtures against Burnley and Aston Villa to mark Remembrance Day.
The Royal British Legion raises money to support serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.
Before our men’s fixture against Burnley, the Band of the Welsh Guards will perform by Britannia Gate from 12.30pm to 3pm, while volunteers from the British Legion will be outside Stamford Bridge collecting donations.
This year we will once again wear special-edition shirts embroidered with a poppy. Chelsea FC Women will also wear their shirts for the Barclays FA Women’s Super League fixture at Aston Villa. All shirts will then be signed and donated to the Legion for auction after the game.
Poppy shirts from our 3-0 win against Newcastle are also up for auction and are available to bid on here
Before kick-off at Stamford Bridge, a Remembrance banner will be placed on the centre circle and there will be a crowd surfer banner with a display of the words ‘Chelsea Remembers’ in the Matthew Harding Stand.
A minute’s silence will also be held just prior to kick-off as we honour those who lost their lives in conflict across the world.
Cesar Azpilicueta said: ‘Ahead of Remembrance Day on Thursday, the two captains will lay wreaths in the centre circle and both teams will observe a minute’s silence before kick-off as we remember all those who lost their lives to war. We will also be wearing the poppy on our shirts to pay our respects. We will remember them.’
Magda Eriksson added: ‘It’s very important that we take this opportunity to salute everyone that has served and is serving in the armed forces, and that we respect the memory of those who have lost their lives in conflict.’
The Legion is the nation’s biggest Armed Forces charity, providing care and support for all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families.
The British charity has long been associated with the First World War, providing support for its veterans and taking the poppy symbol from the flower which grew on the battlefields of Ypres, scene of some of the fiercest fighting, and immortalised in the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’.
Fans can help the appeal by donating money to the service men and women collecting around the Stamford Bridge and through the Matchwornshirts.com auction. You can place a bid on the shirts here