Northampton Town players will wear their poppies with pride at next league game

Amid the growing row between FIFA and the English and Scottish Football Associations over the national teams sporting the poppy, the Cobblers will be wearing their poppies with pride at the next league game against Gillingham on Saturday November 12.

Chairman Kelvin Thomas said: "The issue of wearing poppies on playing shirts has been in the news a lot lately, and we think it is very important that clubs and players do show their respect.

"We take our role in the community seriously and it is only right that we, as a focal point of the community, remember the sacrifices made by so many.

"I know the club has a long and proud tradition of remembrance and we are pleased to be holding our annual service once again this year," he added.

“The poppy will be added to the playing shirts for the Gillingham game, and we will then auction them to support the poppy appeal. Details of how supporters can bid for one of these shirts will be announced in due course.

"It’s important we pay our respects to those who have laid down their lives serving their country and that we show our support for their families. We hope all supporters will join us in paying tribute over the next two weekends.”

Prior to the Emirates FA Cup tie with Harrow Borough at Sixfields on Saturday, the club's Service of Remembrance will be held at the Walter Tull memorial at 2pm. The club chaplain, Revd Ken Baker, will conduct the service while supporter Lee Grant will play the Last Post. All supporters are welcome to attend.

A period of silence will also be held before kick off this weekend.

After the Gillingham game the shirts will be auctioned off with via the club's official ebay site with the profits donated to the British Legion's Poppy Appeal.

Links between Northampton Town Football Club and the military are strong.

Walter Tull might be the name most supporters would recall, but there are thousands of examples of remarkable bravery from so many, including former Cobblers striker Bernard Vann (1887-1918) who was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry that can be awarded to British forces.