West Ham United hold series of poignant Remembrance Day tributes ahead of league clash with Liverpool

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West Ham United's Premier League encounter with Liverpool saw Slaven Bilic’s side poignantly pay tribute to those who lost their lives in battle ahead of Remembrance Day.

Hammers legend Sir Trevor Brooking set the scene before kick off with a reading of the John McCrae poem In Flanders Fields, after a fine performance from the Royal Air Force Air Cadets Band.

A guard of honour formed by members of the Royal British Legion and servicemen from the G Company 7 rifles then followed as both sets of players walked on to the tied.

West Ham United paid tribute to those who lost their lives in battle ahead of Remembrance Day

Club legend Sir Trevor Brooking set the scene with a reading of the poem In Flanders Fields

A minute’s silence was accompanied by supporters creating a Remembrance mosaic

It came after captain Mark Noble visited visited the West Ham Army Reserve Centre - close to where he grew up in Canning Town – during the week.

Wreaths were laid five minutes before kick-off in the centre circle by joint-chairman David Gold, Liverpool CEO Peter Moore, mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales and Blesma veteran and West Ham fan Matt Woollard, who had his lower right leg amputated after being injured while serving in Afghanistan 10 years ago.

A bugler also played the Last Post, before a minute’s silence was accompanied by supporters in the East Stand creating a Remembrance mosaic. An original Spitfire was also on show outside the London Stadium.

An original Spitfire was also on show outside the London Stadium before the fixture

‘This is a very important time of year to pay tribute to our brave armed forces and remember those who gave their lives for us,’ said co-chairman David Gold.

‘At West Ham we know the importance of Remembrance to our supporters, and we thank them all for playing their part in such a fitting and poignant array of tributes.

‘It was a personal honour to lay a wreath as part of the ceremony, next to representatives from Newham, Liverpool FC and limbless veterans charity Blesma, and I also want to commend Sir Trevor on a moving reading of In Flanders Fields.

‘My special thanks also goes to all those who helped the East Stand transform into an incredible tribute to those who have lost their lives, and helped West Ham United pay a true mark of respect.’