Colchester game will see the launch of the Poppy campaign
Shrewsbury Town are delighted to have been asked by the Shropshire branch of the Royal British Legion to launch their Poppy campaign for this year at Saturday's home game against Colchester United.
The fact Colchester as a town, just like Shrewsbury, has such close connections with the armed forces makes it a timely fixture to bring this popular campaign into the spotlight.
"We are immensely proud to have been approached by the Shropshire Branch of the Royal British legion to launch the Poppy campaign for this year," said Martin James, Shrewsbury Town's community development manager.
"This follows on from the last two years where a home fixture was selected to raise awareness of the issue of remembrance of those who have given their lives in the support and protection of this country since the First World War.
"The Colchester match has a particular resonance as, like Shrewsbury, it is a town which has had a long association with the armed forces, the Army in particular."
The Greenhous Meadow will welcome the Bugles, Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment who will entertain the crowd by playing at half time on Saturday.
"They have been stationed at Tern Hill Barracks, Market Drayton, since 2007," added Martin. " They are being deployed to Afghanistan in March for their fifth tour of the conflict.
"Bucket collections will take place around the ground and we would encourage supporters to show their appreciation of those who have gone before and those who serve today."
PICTURED: Shrewsbury Town players, from left, Aaron Wildig, Darren Jones, Michael Hector and Ryan Doble launch the Poppy Campaign by donning special t-shirts.