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Welford Road pays respects to The Fallen

Welford Road paid its respects to those who lost their lives in two World wars – including 46 Leicester Tigers players – during matchday on Friday.

In a special ceremony ahead of kick-off in the Premiership rugby Cup fixture against Sale Sharks, the teams were led on to the field by representatives of the Tigers Regiment Veterans Association, Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College and Royal British Legion.

The Tigers team wore a special shirt featuring the centenary ‘Thank You’ poppy logo which will be auctioned in aid of the Leicester Tigers Foundation’s memorial project.

As the stadium fell silent, both teams lined up on the pitch for the playing of The Last Post by bugler Matthew Rowland and trumpeter Jason Hobson. 

Roy Anthony Birch, of the Western Front Association, recited the Exhortation, featuring the words of Robert Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For The Fallen’ which was first published in September 1914 – including the lines:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

For The Fallen

These words signalled the start of two minutes’ silence and finally the Reveille before the game got under way.

Tigers also welcomed a group of supporters carrying memorial wreaths in the name of the 46 Fallen Tigers who lost their lives in the two world wars.

After the game, the wreaths were laid at the Wall of Legends outside the Robin Hood Stand and a plaque displaying the names of the 46 unveiled in their honour.