By Ivaylo Ivanov
Young players, coaches, parents and club members all gathered together on Sunday morning at Lockwood Park to pay tribute on Remembrance Day and in particular to the fifteen soldiers killed during the two World Wars who were part of the club.
The ceremony began at 10:53 when U8s, U7s and U6s started to assemble in open, three-sided square on the middle pitch.
When the children were ready they were surrounded by coaches and parents and the actual part of the ceremony started.
Ruby Seabridge, Oscar Williams (U10s) together with coach Dave Beal were responsible for reading the HRUFC Roll of Honour.
And after the solemn ‘We will all remember them’, players and guests bowed heads for a two minute silence.
The silence was followed by the epitaph: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, ‘For your tomorrow, we gave our today’.”
The atmosphere at the event was tragic but touching in the same way as everyone on the pitch was so silent that ‘you could hear a pin drop’, as coach Dave said.
He then added that the event is of a huge importance to him. He said: ‘I have service connections so it is very important for me to make sure it is done properly’.
Beal explained that the Reading of the Roll of Honour was introduces to the club five years ago so all 15 players who died fighting in the wars can receive the respect they deserve.
Finishing speaking Dave Beal said he is proud to be part of HRUFC. Speaking on the current crop of players’ respect for their predecessors, he said: ‘Even the youngest kids stand there for the full 2 minutes absolutely silent; you can hear a pin drop. There is a massive respect and that’s what makes this club really great’.
1914-1918
B. H. Beadon, R. H. Owen, J. T. Riley, F. Thornton, J. A. Hartley, W. J. Rae, N. H. Rippon, W. A. Wildblood
1939-1945
D. M. Batley, D. M. Crook, S. Oldfieeld, A. R. Booth, F. W. Michelson, J. F. Overton, R. A. Williams
