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Sir Trevor Brooking was among the West Ham stars of past, present and future who marked Remembrance Sunday by visiting the Poppy Factory in Richmond where wreaths commemorating the nation’s fallen heroes are made.
Legend Brooking was joined by first-teamer Ben Johnson and academy starlet Ollie Scarles as they helped make three wreaths which will be laid at the London Stadium.
It was the first time a football club had visited the famous factory which has been frequented by various other famous faces over the decades, including by Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II, on four occasions.
The Poppy Factory worker added: ‘It was good to meet one of my boyhood heroes. All the ups and downs and I’m still blowing bubbles.’
Ben Johnson (left) and Ollie Scarles (centre) were among the West Ham stars present and future who took part in the wreath-making
West Ham legend Sir Trevor Brooking was among those who learnt more about the craftsmanship of the Remembrance Sunday wreaths
The players met with lifelong Hammers fan and veteran Alex Conway who claimed that the Poppy Factory had ‘saved his life’
Brooking described the experience as a ‘privilege’ and said: ‘There is always something very special about our fans paying tribute to the young men of the West Ham Pals Battalion, and all the other men and women who’ve served in our armed forces.
‘I will be very proud to see the wreaths we’ve helped make unveiled at the Pals’ memorial, and I’m very proud to be part of this great tradition in our country which says to all those who fought for our freedom that – however much time passes – we will ensure that their service and their sacrifice is never forgotten.’
Johnson added: ‘When they told us we would have to make poppies with one hand, I thought it was just to give us an extra challenge, but then when they explained the history and how the First World War veterans had to learn to make them that way, it really brings home the sacrifice that they made, and why these moments of Remembrance matter so much.
‘I will always think about that now when I wear the poppy or see these wreaths at the London Stadium, not just about the care that goes into making them, but all the tradition that it represents.’
Scarles added: ‘I’m turning 18 in December, I think for me it’s important to realise that during the war, people of my age would be going off to fight with the West Ham Battalion or getting called up to play my part in the Second World War.’
The factory, based in Richmond, has played host to a number of famous visitors, including the late Queen Elizabeth II
The intricacies in making the wreaths quickly became apparent to the Hammers past, present, and future watching on
The three wreaths created at the factory will be laid on Remembrance Sunday ahead of West Ham’s home tie against Nottingham Forest
