A youth football team from Bordon warmed up for a cup match by holding their own Remembrance service.

The Wey Valley Warriors U15s proved they’re a class act both on and off the pitch with the simple gesture ahead of their cup tie against Solent Sports.

The service has become an annual event under the tutelage of their coach Darren Oakley as he’s keen for the team to commemorate Remembrance on their match closest to Armistice Day.

And sure enough, that tradition was upheld this year at Mill Chase Recreation Ground with his son, Caden Oakley, giving a reading ahead of the match.

They were also accompanied at the ceremony by Whitehill Town Council leader, Cllr Andy Tree, and Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Iraq veteran, Martin Simms.

The latter, who served in the armed forces from 1989 to 2003 and whose son, Harry, plays for the Warriors, wore his uniform and medals to the ceremony

“Darren has made a point of ensuring Remembrance is commemorated,” said Cllr Tree.

“I think Darren should be applauded for ensuring our fallen heroes are kept alive in the thoughts of our young people, as do all the coaches and teams who observe a minutes’ silence.”

He added: “The freedoms we enjoy today are because of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Lest we forget.”

The Warriors also showed their fighting spirit on the pitch with an excellent 3-2 win to book a quarter final place in the Hampshire Cup.