Everton's Remembrance Day Plans

Everton and Coventry City will come together ahead of Friday’s Premier League fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium to remember the fallen and honour the sacrifices made by servicemen and women during conflict.

The pre-match Remembrance ceremony will involve players and staff from both clubs, as well as representatives of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force and Merchant Navy.

Those taking part in the tribute will include serving personnel from the Tri-Service Toffees Supporters’ Club and former servicemen and women supported by Everton in the Community’s Veterans Programme.

Supporters are requested to arrive to their seats from 7.50pm, ahead of the ceremony, which will follow the walk-out by the teams and match officials.

As part of the Remembrance ceremony, the captains of Everton and Coventry City will lay commemorative poppy wreaths on the pitch ahead of kick-off, along with representatives from the Armed Forces, the Tri-Service Toffees and Everton in the Community.

Players from both sides will wear shirts bearing the poppy emblem, in memory of the fallen.

We will proudly welcome the following service personnel to take part in our pre-match tribute:

• Andrew Manning – Bugler
• Petty Officer Paul Elsey, representing the Royal Navy
• Warrant Officer Class One, Regimental Sergeant Major Paul Black of the Royal Logistic Corps, representing the British Army
• Flight Lieutenant Colin Stanson, representing the Royal Air Force
• Warrant Officer (Class Two) Terry King of the Royal Engineers
• Air Specialist (Class 1) Jonathon Carroll – Royal Air Force
• Staff Sergeant Tony Corkhill - British Army

The following former service personnel will also participate in the tribute through Everton in the Community’s Veterans Programme:

• Sharon Craig – Women’s Royal Naval Service
• Neil Meadows – British Army
• Kenneth Malam – British Army
• Tracey Poultney - Royal Navy
• Peter McPartland - Merchant Navy

Following the laying of the wreaths, The Last Post will be performed by bugler Andrew Manning.

As a mark of respect, the traditional pre-match siren will not sound before the teams enter the pitch, though Z-Cars will play as normal.

As part of the Club’s recognition of serving personnel, Steve McCann and Danny Jackson, both members of Tri-Service Toffees, will take part in the half-time Hit the Bar competition.

The Tri-Service Toffees is an affiliated Everton supporters’ club for those serving in the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, whether regular or reservist. Evertonians interested in joining or finding out more about the supporters’ club should email triservicetoffees@gmail.com.

Shirts worn by Everton’s Men’s and Women’s players during the Remembrance period will be auctioned to raise vital funds to support the work of the Royal British Legion. To find out more – or to bid for a shirt – click here.

What Remembrance Means to Me – A Message From The Tri-Service Toffees

Remembrance is about remembering. It really is that simple.

Remembering the sacrifices made by so many, from the First World War through every conflict since. Not just those who served in uniform, but the families, friends, colleagues and civilians whose lives were forever changed.

It is about taking a moment to acknowledge those sacrifices, both great and small, and the individuals who made them.

Having served for over 37 years, including numerous operational tours in conflict, I don’t reflect on my own sacrifices. Those will be for others to remember when I am gone.

Instead, I remember my mum, who served in the Royal Navy, and my uncles Tony and Frank (her brothers). All three have now passed away, but each played a significant part in inspiring my own military career. I also remember the friends and colleagues who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the hope of making a difference.

But perhaps the person foremost in my thoughts is my wife, Shirley.

Throughout my military career, she has made countless sacrifices of her own, often quietly and without recognition. Like so many military spouses and families, she has carried burdens that others rarely see, whilst asking for little in return.

Their sacrifices deserve our remembrance, too.

So, when you pause to remember, think not only of those who gave their lives in service to our nation, but also of those closest to you, whose sacrifices may never have been publicly acknowledged.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

Major Anthony John Sandle RLC, Second-in-Command, 156 Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps
(pictured above with Everton Ambassador Graham Stuart)