East London Rugby Football Club marked Armistice Day on Saturday (11 November) and Remembrance Sunday (12 November) by honouring those who served to defend our democratic freedoms, as well as remembering the sacrifices of the Armed Forces community in two World Wars and in conflicts and acts of terrorism since.

The club's men's 1st and 2nd teams and Vixens ladies began their matches at the weekend with a period of silence and reflection. At the Wyverns game on Saturday against Bancroft and the Vixens game on Sunday against London Welsh Women, both at the Memorial Ground in West Ham, poppy wreaths were taken on to the pitch. A poppy wreath image was also added to the East London RFC Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Club Chair Simon Crick said: “The sacrifices that all the men and women in our armed services have made to protect us, continue to inspire us today and need to be remembered. It is important that we do so.

“Rugby has a bond with the armed services community based on shared values of respect, discipline, courage, teamwork and integrity. East London RFC is a family that will unite across faiths, cultures and backgrounds to ensure the sacrifices of those who served in past conflicts, as well as those serving today, including rugby players who served, are never forgotten.”

Pictured with the poppy wreaths are Club Captain Frank Murphy, Vixens captain Lucy Thomas, right, and Vixen Lyssa Barber.