West Ham United have marked the Armistice centenary by planting trees at its training ground in memory of former players who died during the First World War.
Club Captain Mark Noble and defender Aaron Cresswell were present for the planting at the Club’s training ground, Rush Green, in what will become a permanent memorial to its fallen players.
The tree planting is part of a national campaign called Football Remembers, a partnership between the Woodland Trust and the National Football Museum’s For Club and Country project. The project is supported by the Premier League, English Football League, Professional Footballers’ Association and The Football Association.
West Ham has planted nine trees at its training base, one for each player and former player that lost his life in the war. Frank Cannon, Frank Costello, Frederick Griffiths, Sidney Hammond, William Jones, William Kennedy, William Kirby, Arthur Stallard and Robert Whiting all went to fight for their country, but never returned home.
West Ham legend, Sir Trevor Brooking, who has backed the campaign, said: “The Woodland Trust’s For Club and Country project is the perfect way to commemorate football’s important role in the First World War. By planting trees for players who bravely fought for their country we are creating something beautiful and long lasting for future generations.”
Supporters of clubs across the Premier League and English Football League are being encouraged to join their club heroes by planting trees to create a lasting living legacy across football. Supporters can find out more about West Ham's history and football’s involvement in the war by visiting www.forclubandcountry.org.uk/westham
