Source: Daily_Mail
Then there were two: Bolton join poppy parade - unlike United and Liverpool
Bolton Wanderers last night became the 18th Barclays Premier League club to commit to playing in poppy-embroidered shirts on Remembrance weekend.[LNB]That makes a total of six clubs who have changed their plans this week on the back of Sportsmail's campaign that began by pointing out that only 12 of the 20 teams in the top flight had informed the Premier League about their intention to put a poppy on theirmatch kit. [LNB]But while Fulham, Aston Villa and Portsmouth on Tuesday, Stoke and Blackburn on Wednesday and Bolton yesterday have had admirable second thoughts owingsignificantly to the fans' outrage at those missing from the Premier League poppy list two huge names, Manchester United and Liverpool, remain stubbornly against.[LNB] We will remember them: Kevin Davies in Bolton's computer-enhanced kit[LNB]United and Liverpool have offered the excuse that they carry out a great deal of work torecognise the British war dead.[LNB] Nevertheless, the absence of a poppy on their shirts will make two of the world'sbiggest clubs stand out for all the wrong reasons to the vast television audience inBritain and in hundreds of countries around the globe.[LNB]That's the way to do it: Arsenal's shirt - modelled by Nicklas Bendtner - sports an easily seen poppy[LNB]Statements released to Sportsmail by both clubs have stressed their respective work with the Royal British Legion and the Armed Forces.[LNB]But fans of both clubs are puzzled by their intransigence over the simple matter of having a poppy embroidered on their strips for this weekend. Any argument that this would not be seen against their red shirts is negated by the fact that Arsenal have worn a red strip with a poppy that was perfectly visible.[LNB]United play Chelsea on Sunday, and their stance will be in sharp contrast to their London hosts, where the connection between the club and the Chelsea Pensioners is always stressed on Remembrance Sunday.[LNB]Bolton fans have contacted Sportsmail to detail the club's grand war history. [LNB]At the Bolton v Sunderland match on April 14, 1939 an appeal was made by team captain Harry Goslin to the crowd asking those capable to join the forces. Two days later, the entire Bolton team, led by Goslin, signed up for the 53rd Bolton Artillery, who fought in the Middle East, the Italian campaign, and at Dunkirk. Goslin was killed in action in 1943.[LNB]The Bolton statement said: 'Bolton Wanderers has been and continues to be a constant supporter of Britain's Armed Forces. The manager and his staff will all be wearing a poppy this weekend at Aston Villa and the players will also wear a poppy-embroidered kit for that game. All embroidered first-team shirts will be donated to the British Legion Poppy Appeal.'[LNB] Shining example: Burnley were one of 12 teams to wear a poppy on their shirts on Saturday[LNB]Football teams across the country will be holding a minute's silence to remember the war dead and are holding a variety of fund-raising activities, including the auction of their special poppy strips.[LNB]Teams from outside the top flight, including Middlesbrough and West Bromwich, will also be proudly sporting a poppy on their chests.[LNB]This year's Remembrance Day will have added poignance after the horrific death toll this week in Afghanistan, including five servicemen who were slaughtered by a rogue policeman.[LNB] Charles Sale: England show up clubs on poppiesSportsmail comment: Liverpool and Manchester United - it's still not too late to wear the poppy with pridePoppy power! Now only three Premier clubs are refusing to back campaignCharles Sale: Poppies growing on Premier League clubsCharles Sale: A dozen Premier League clubs are proud of poppies[LNB] Explore more:People:Nicklas Bendtner, Kevin DaviesPlaces:Fulham, Liverpool, London, Afghanistan, Middle EastOrganisations:Royal British Legion
