Rotherfield FC Remembers

2 days ago

2 min read

The whole Rotherfield FC family comes together to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Across Rotherfield FC, players, coaches and officials from our youngest junior sides through to our senior teams paused before kick-off this weekend to pay their respects to the fallen, remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice and reflecting on the freedoms we enjoy today.

These moments provided an opportunity for the whole club to come together, ensuring that the importance of remembrance continues to be understood and passed on to future generations.

One particularly special moment saw young Rotherfield player Leith Ridley-Smith attend the commemorations at the Airman's Grave on Ashdown Forest on Remembrance Sunday. Leith was joined by fellow U8s player Oscar and his brother Jasper.

Wearing his Rotherfield FC tracksuit, Leith joined members of the local community at this poignant memorial site, where a Wellington bomber crashed following a raid on Cologne during the Second World War.

The Airman's Grave commemorates the six airmen who lost their lives when their aircraft crashed on 31 July 1941. The memorial has become an important focal point for the local community's annual Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

It was wonderful to see Leith representing Rotherfield FC at such an important occasion.

Football is about much more than what happens on the pitch. As a community club, we are proud that our players, across all age groups, took the time this weekend to remember those who gave so much for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Whether at the Airman's Grave or standing together before kick-off at the Recreation Ground and grounds across Sussex, the message was the same.

We will remember them.

Rotherfield FC – Lest We Forget.