Saturday’s home game against Crewe Alexandra at the SMH Group Stadium will be Chesterfield FC’s annual Remembrance fixture.
At the game, serving personnel will parade, along with veterans involved with the Buddy Buddy and other Trust projects.
The Trust’s Oli Barnes (pictured) spoke on what will be taking place, saying: “The reason it’s so early is there’s no home fixture over the Armistice period, so we had to bring it to the 24th. We’ll be remembering those who have fallen in all conflicts.”
Oli also praised the annual turnout for this event, saying: “I think we do this very, very well each year. We’ve made it bigger and better every year and we’ve had a lot of local lads from all three services, Army, Navy, Air Force, both veterans and currently serving who turn out and give up their time and come to show what a great veterans and armed forces community Chesterfield has.
As mentioned, the Trust’s Buddy Buddy group play a big part in the service. Oli commented: “We meet up every last Thursday of the month and it’s just got bigger and better and getting all the veterans down together.
“One of the guys is an ex-Army chef. He’s going to cook for all the veterans at half time and then we’re going to go up to Derby Tup afterwards and have a couple of beers up there and raise a glass to those who fell.”
Finally, Oli spoke on the importance of this fixture each year, explaining: “For me as a veteran, other than my wife and kids’ birthdays, it’s probably the most important day of the year for me. It means so much. I did 16 and a half years in the Army and not a day goes by that I don’t remember the guys who didn’t come home so it’s really important for me and everybody there.”
Both teams will lay wreaths to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.
There will be a collection at the match for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
