Spurs Remembers

The Club will be paying its respects to those that have lost their lives in armed conflict with a Remembrance service ahead of kick-off against Ipswich Town on Sunday.

As a Club that recognises and supports the welfare of animals, for the first time this year, we shall also be remembering animals lost in service, with a purple poppy wreath laid on the pitch, alongside a traditional red poppy wreath, by serving members of our Armed Forces Spurs Official Supporters’ Club.

Since 2006, purple poppies have been a symbol of remembrance for animal victims of war and have helped raise thousands for charities including Animal Aid, Murphy’s Army, the War Horse Memorial and the Blue Cross. 

Following the laying of wreaths, we shall observe a period of silence, during which The Last Post will be played by retired Corporal Andrew Lofthouse, former Principal Trumpet of the Royal Air Force. This period of silence will start and end on the referee’s whistle - fans entering the stadium at this time may be restricted from accessing the seating area while the silence is in progress.

With The Last Post being performed ahead of kick-off, our trumpet rendition of ‘Oh When the Spurs…’ will be played at a slightly earlier time, ahead of teams walking out.

Our players will be wearing special edition poppy shirts, as we did in last weekend’s clash against Aston Villa, while our Women’s players wore poppy shirts in their WSL matches at home to West Ham United last Sunday and will do so away to Manchester City tonight. Fans will be able to bid for signed match-worn poppy shirts via MatchWornShirt, with proceeds going to the Royal British Legion.

As well as having the chance to bid on match-worn signed shirts, fans are able to enter an online draw to win a poppy shirt that has been signed by the Men’s First Team squad. Further details can be found on the Tottenham Hotspur section at matchwornshirt.com.

To find out more about the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, and to make a donation, please visit britishlegion.org.uk.

For more on the Purple Poppy Appeal, visit:

• War Horse Memorial: https://www.thewarhorsememorial.org/animal-purple-poppy-fund
• Murphy’s Army: https://theyalsoserved.org/

Meet our Armed Forces Spurs members

Members of Armed Forces Spurs will be taking part in today’s Remembrance service, let’s find out a little more about them:

Name: Kevin Holmes

Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Service: RAF

Joined the RAF in 2001. Flew the C130 Hercules between 2005-23 and is now transitioning onto the A400M Atlas. Attended his first Spurs game as a small child in the away end at Southampton with his dad in around 1982. His first game at White Hart Lane was in 1988 - Tottenham vs Monaco. Current season ticket holder.

Name: Andrew Lofthouse

Rank: Ex-RAF Corporal

A lifelong Spurs fan and former Principal Trumpet of the Central Band of the Royal Air Force, holding the rank of Corporal, ‘Lofty’ will be performing The Last Post today. He joined the Force in 2010 and served for eight years, winning the RAF soloist competition and recording numerous solos on CDs. During this time, Andrew has travelled the world representing the RAF, visiting the USA, Canada, India, Cyprus, Switzerland, Belgium and France. His career highlights include being a member of the Fanfare Trumpets for both the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey and for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Name: Munreece Singh Sahota

Rank: Petty Officer
Service: Royal Navy

Served on 4 Astute class submarines as a WE fire control maintainer. Helped to bring HMS Audacious out of build and assisted with the integration of the new MOD-1 Spearfish torpedoes. Represented the Royal Navy Under-23s at basketball and now plays football as part of the Royal Navy men’s senior side. Munreece will be laying a wreath on the pitch ahead of kick-off.

Name: Neil Crowe

Rank: WO1
Service: Royal Navy

Born less than 20 minutes from White Hart Lane spending the years between 1983-85 standing on The Shelf as a child watching the likes of Glenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles. Joined the Navy in 1996 and has served on numerous ships, visiting all four corners of the globe. Between sea going deployments he has spent time working in NATO in Belgium and Cyprus. Has served for 28 years and is proud to be at his boyhood club today, representing both the Navy and most importantly the sailors that never returned to port. Neil will be laying a wreath on the pitch ahead of kick-off.

Name: Paul Burgess

Rank: Sergeant
Service: RAF

A Logistics Supplier who joined in September 2009 before a first posting to RAF Wittering in March 2010. In April 2014, he was posted to RAF Coningsby working on Typhoon Sqns and BBMF concluded with promotion to Corporal and a posting to RAF Marham F35 Lightning. March 2021 saw a posting back to RAF Coningsby which was then followed by a posting to the Red Arrows in May 2023. Promotion to Sergeant followed as well as a posting back to RAF Coningsby last month. Married to his wife Sadie of 13 years, father to Connor (regular at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) and two dogs (Finn and Max - both registered to Tottenham Hotspaw).

Name: Glyn Vigurs

Rank: Master Aircrew (Warrant Officer/E9/WO1), Retired
Service: RAF

Joined as SNCO Aircrew in February 1988. Flew on Nimrod MR2 for 10 years at RAF Kinloss on 120 and 42 Squadron. Spent eight years at RAF Cranwell as a WSOp (EW) Air Instructor (Dominie T Mk1) then Central Flying School examiner. Then had 15 years at RAF Waddington flying on Nimrod R1 then UK RC-135 Rivet Joint, first on 51 Squadron, then retired on 54 Squadron in February 2023.

Obituary | Wayne ‘Syd’ Little

All at the Club were sad to hear of the passing of Sgt Wayne Little, known as Syd, who was due to lay one of the wreaths on the pitch ahead of kick-off on Sunday, but passed on 25 October at the age of 51. Syd joined the RAF in 1991 and - after a varied career - truly found his calling as a C130J Hercules Air Loadmaster. He flew with the Hercules fleet from 2007-23 and amassed over 3,700 flying hours. He took part in many operations throughout the world, most notably dropping humanitarian aid into Mount Sinjar, Iraq on the first night of Operation SHADER on 9 August 2014. Syd's devotion to the C130 fleet was only surpassed by his dedication to his family; he was particularly proud of his children James, Kirsteen, Lucas and Sophie. He leaves behind beloved wife Anna and many family, friends and loved ones, all of whom will miss him greatly. A lifelong Spurs supporter, Syd spent much of his spare time attending games both home and away, particularly cherishing his season ticket seat in Block 517.  We would like to extend our condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.