Brentford unveils plaque honouring 31 players who died in world wars | OneFootball

Ahead of the club’s fixture against Bournemouth at Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, Bees United and Brentford unveiled a plaque in remembrance of former players lost their lives during the First and Second World War.

The plaque revealed at a special event, located on the corner of the west and north stands of the stadium, was created by Bees United and honours 31 former Brentford players.

Brentford fans gathered at the event which was opened by Bees United chair and club board member Stuart Hatcher, followed by club chair Cliff Crown who gave a speech.

He said: “We are reminded that these players show that community was as important back then as it is now. And it is because of people like these brave men that we keep our community in mind in everything we do.”

After the plaque was unveiled, wreaths were laid by Brentford’s general counsel Nity Raj and Bees midfielder Josh Dasilva, as well as Paul Briers for Bees United and Dave Minckley of BIAS, and by Lee Doyle, chief executive of Brentford FC Community Sports Trust.

Club chaplain Sarah Guinness read a prayer, followed by readings of the Epitaph and The Exhortation by club ambassadors Marcus Gayle and Peter Gilham BEM, respectively.

At the event, the Last Post was played by Ben Wong from the Royal British Legion who was accompanied by servicemen from the 7th Battalion and The Rifles.

The remembrance event came to a close after a two-minute silence was held.

The club also honoured those who have lost their lives in conflict ahead of kick-off on the pitch when wreaths were laid by servicemen from the 7th Battalion and the Rifles. A moment of silence was held at the stadium before both sides kicked off.

Commenting on the unveiling, Bees United secretary, Don Tanswell, said: “Bees United has made it their mission to focus on the heritage of the club and to share this with as many fans as possible.

"Brentford historian, Paul Briers, recently updated the club’s knowledge about Brentford players who lost their lives when serving our country and Bees United wanted to share these names at our Remembrance game.

"We were proud to unveil a new plaque at the club that provides fans with the opportunity to take a moment of reflection and give thanks for the part our lost players played in the growth of our club and for their sacrifices.

"The plaque provides a special place, near our community and remembrance garden, where fans can reflect and pay their respects."

Tanswell added: “Cliff Crown and Stuart Hatcher, chairs of the club and Bees United, set the scene at the event, reflecting on the sacrifices of those players so long ago.

"The large crowd of fans gathered then fell silent for the eerie mournful sound of the Last Post which symbolised the end of a soldier’s service to their country and the time when those players would no longer play for Brentford.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to host this event at the stadium and to have a suitable mark of respect that will have a permanence at our club, as indeed it should."