East London Rugby Football Club marked Remembrance commemoration this weekend (8th November) by honouring the sacrifices of the Armed Forces community and civilians in two World Wars and in conflicts since.

Matches at the Memorial Ground in West Ham on Saturday and the East London ladies’ team the Vixens away game on Sunday began with a period of silence and reflection. The men’s 1st XV and 3rd XV teams carried poppy wreaths on to the pitch.

Club Vice-Chair Frank Murphy said: “The sacrifices that the men and women in our armed services past and present and others have made to protect us, continue to inspire us 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 unites across faiths, cultures, ages 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, from left, Club Captain Andy Davenport, Vixens players and management committee members Katie Robinson and Deepti Davenport, Frank Murphy and Director of Rugby Eddie Gooby.