English Premier League clubs are wearing special edition kits to support and raise money for The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.
Players’ match-worn shirts will also be signed and auctioned with all proceeds going to The Royal British Legion.
Both players’ and match officials special-edition shirts are embroidered with a poppy. The shirts were featured in last weekend’s matches and will also appear during the weekend of November 7.
The English Premier League has supported The Royal British Legion since 2012 – over $4 million dollars (AUD) has been raised through the auctioning of match-worn shirts.
The Royal British Legion supports the armed forces community, offering grants, sport and art recovery programmes and also advises on benefits and money issues.
“We are extremely grateful for the support that Premier League clubs and the football community show the Poppy Appeal every year. The Legion’s work is entirely dependent on the public’s generous support, and this year we need that support more than ever, so we can ensure that those who have served and sacrificed on our behalf are looked after. Every poppy counts,” Director of Fundraising at The Royal British Legion, Claire Rowcliffe said the fundraising initiative.
Club pin badges are also being sold to support The Royal British Legion.
“The Legion’s work is more vital than ever this year as the charity supports communities through additional hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, from those struggling with social isolation, financial difficulties and unemployment, to others who have lost loved ones or are facing the threat of homelessness,” Manchester United said in a statement on the club’s website.
The EPL shirts are being auctioned over the next month.
The match-worn shirts from Aston Villa, Burnley, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Sheffield United and Tottenham Hotspur are currently live.
The shirts from Arsenal, Brighton and Hove Albion, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Leeds United, Leicester City, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are not up for auction yet.
As of last night, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shirt had the highest bid so far at just over $3000 (AUD).