Portsmouth Football Club will honour those who gave their lives in military service during Wednesday evening’s fixture against Wrexham at Fratton Park, which kicks off at 8pm.
From 6.45pm, the HMS Collingwood Royal Naval Volunteer Band will perform close to the Jimmy Dickinson statue, establishing a contemplative atmosphere ahead of the match.
Representatives from the Portsmouth Armed Forces Supporters’ Club, 78 Squadron RAF, 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, HMS Sultan and the Royal British Legion will attend the occasion.
Standard bearers will march onto the pitch at 7.45pm as part of the pre-match ceremony. The captains from both sides, club officials and a serving military member will place poppy wreaths on the pitch.
A moving tribute video will then be displayed on the big screen, featuring the late John Jenkins MBE – a D-Day veteran – reciting the Ode of Remembrance.
The Last Post will be played by a bugler, followed by a minute’s silence observed throughout the stadium. Supporters are requested not to applaud after The Last Post concludes. The silence will end with the bugler performing Reveille.
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Players will wear poppies on their shirts, which will be auctioned exclusively through the MatchWornShirt website and app following the match, with proceeds benefiting the Royal British Legion.
All supporters are respectfully requested to be seated by 7.45pm to avoid disrupting the commemorations.
