Football fans can get shirty for Poppy Appeal

A campaign which has raised nearly £3 million for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal with unique match worn football shirts enters its sixth year tomorrow (Thursday 24 October).

And this autumn fans have the chance to win a squad-signed Premier League, Women’s Super League and English Football League shirts in a special giveaway at MatchWornShirt by entering their free competition which runs until November 11. 

The Royal British Legion leads the nation in remembrance every year to honour the contribution of our Armed Forces community, past and present.

This year the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal highlights the mental scars linked to military service and the impact on the mental health across the Armed Forces community and starts tomorrow, Thursday, October 24, running until Remembrance Sunday on Sunday, November 10.

And for the next three weeks football fans have the chance to raise funds and grab a unique shirt signed by players from their favourite team.

This November, as a symbol of respect, football clubs in the Premier League, EFL Championship, League One, League Two and the WSL, will wear shirts featuring an emblem of the poppy, which was first worn as an act of remembrance more than 100 years ago, 

After the matches, these shirts will be signed by the players who wore them and made available to own via auction, exclusively on the MatchWornShirt website and app, and all net proceeds of these auctions will be allocated to the Royal British Legion.

Since it was first worn the red poppy has become an enduring symbol of support for our Armed Forces and every donation to the RBL’s Poppy Appeal helps to provide vital support to the Armed Forces community and ensures their unique contribution is never forgotten. 

MatchWornShirt was founded in 2017 as a destination for match-worn and signed football shirts and has since grown to work with more than 300 global partners, offering unique collectibles from football, as well as rugby, cricket, cycling and other sports.

This is the sixth consecutive year MatchWornShirt have teamed up with the Royal British Legion, having previously raised nearly £3 million for the Poppy Appeal. 

James Flude, head of business at MatchWornShirt, said: “The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces community, and we’re incredibly proud to support this cause for the sixth consecutive year. 

“At MatchWornShirt, we’re passionate about giving fans the chance to own a piece of football history. Each signed, match-worn shirt from this campaign not only captures a unique moment in sport but also helps ensure that vital support continues for veterans and service personnel.”

Ben France, head at corporate partnership at the Royal British Legion, added: “Battlefield trauma and mental health issues can manifest at any time in life and in different ways, including addiction, debt, homelessness and relationship breakdowns. 

“Your poppy enables the RBL to support those who struggle with the upheaval and disruption of service life, and life after service.” 

To help the Royal British Legion continue its vital work, head to MatchWornShirt’s website and get involved in one of the many auctions for this year’s Poppy Appeal: https://www.matchwornshirt.com/category/poppy-appeal-2024

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