At 11am today, The Woodlands Memorial Ground falls silent to pay our respects..
We pause to honour all those who have served, sacrificed & stood in defence of our freedom ~ past & present.
We remember the men & women of this club & community who answered the call of duty, some returning from their service ~ many who did not. Their courage and loss are written into the very fabric of our club..
Fylde RFC was born from the shadows of the First World War ~ created by a generation determined to rebuild & reconnect through sport. Just two decades later, that same spirit would be tested once more as many of our members joined the armed forces during the Second World War. Among them were those who served with the 137 (Army) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery – the ‘Blackpool Regiment’, enduring unimaginable hardship in Malaya, Singapore & Japanese prisoner-of-war camps.
The Woodlands itself was taken over by the Army during WW2 & in the years that followed, became The Woodlands Memorial Ground ~ a permanent tribute to those from this club who never came home. Every match played here stands as a quiet act of remembrance.
However our reflection does not end with the two world wars, as we also remember those who have served since ~ in Korea, the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan and beyond. Generations of service men & women, some of them Fylde players, members & supporters have continued to uphold the same values that define both club & country.
At 11 o’clock today & also before our First Team kick off at home this Saturday, we will stand together – players, supporters, families & friends.. united both in gratitude & remembrance.
We honour the fallen ~ thank the serving ~ and we promise never to forget the cost of the freedoms given to us today.
We will remember them.