Sunderland AFC is to continue its long-standing support for armed forces charities at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, when hundreds of serving military personnel, veterans groups and families of soldiers who have lost their lives in the service of their country, will attend the Black Cats game against Arsenal.
This will be the twelfth consecutive year in which military personnel and their families have joined together with Sunderland AFC and its fans in support of the country’s annual Remembrance Commemorations.
Soldiers from the household division based at ITC Catterick will undertake a parade around the Stadium of Light pitch before the game and form a guard of honour as both teams take to the field. A traditional period of silence will be observed prior to kick off and the Sunderland squad will sport special one-off match shirts bearing the traditional poppy emblem. The shirts will be auctioned to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.
Colour Seargent Chris Hunter, a Sunderland season card holder, is leading the tribute and will lay a poppy wreath in the centre circle as the teams gather to observe the silence. Speaking about the club’s support he said: “Sunderland’s backing for the military and armed forces charities such as the Royal British Legion, has been simply amazing.
“As a season card holder and a serving soldier of seventeen years I am proud to play my part in helping the club and the fans to support the Remembrance Commemorations.
Sunderland AFC’s chief executive Martin Bain said: “The North East region has a long-standing and tremendously proud military tradition. Saturday is our opportunity as a club to show our support and appreciation to the armed forces personnel and their families for the great sacrifices they have made and continue to make in the service of their country.”
The national commemorations take on added significance this year as they coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. Sunderland goalkeeper L. R. Roose died in what remains the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army. His life, and that of six other former Sunderland AFC players killed in action in the first and
second world wars, is commemorated in a monument by the stadium’s west stand. The memorial also recognises and pays tribute to all those killed in the line of duty.
Sunderland AFC also has a long-standing commitment to Tickets for Troops, the organisation that provides free tickets to members of the Armed Forces for a variety of sporting, musical and cultural events. The service offers serving personnel and those medically discharged from the forces since 2001, the well-deserved opportunity to enjoy an event of their choice with their friends and families.