In commemoration of the Truce that occurred this time 100 years ago at the trenches of World War I, Wigan Athletic and Wigan Council have put on a whole host of activities, entertainment and Food & Drink stalls around the Stadium before the game against Rotherham United.
The theme will continue in the Stadium before and at half time with live entertainment being put on. Don’t forget that the Supporters Bar will also be open where we will be drawing the winners of the Christmas Raffle.
Football is commemorating the centenary of the 1914 Christmas Truce matches this month, to remember the extraordinary moment when soldiers from both sides of the World War I trenches downed their arms for Christmas and took part in games of football – and Wigan Athletic are delighted to be playing their part this weekend.
The Wigan Athletic and Rotherham United teams will come onto to the field to the sound of a military fanfare in what will be the culmination of a fabulous day and supporters are therefore being urged to come early to the DW Stadium this Saturday and take part in a programme of events laid on by the club, in association with Wigan Council, The Rotary Club of Wigan and The Veterans Association.
Food and drinks stalls will be open outside the stadium to give an authentic taste of 1914, as Veterans Sweetheart Sarah Dennis will sing wartime favourites and tops a musical bill which includes the Lancashire Artillery Band, Scots Guard, Wigan Youth Zone Pemberton Old Boys Brass Band, The Piccadillys and The Armistice Pals.
The Territorial Army, Army, Navy and RAF cadets and Forces Charities will be presenting varying displays of military vehicles and uniforms, de-classed weapons, along with a vintage military aeroplane outside the stadium.
There will even be a giant photo of the Wigan United team of 1919 with a cut out for fans to have their pictures taken.
GENERAL TIMING OF EVENTS
10.00am
Food and drink stalls open at Robin Park.
Krobar marquee open selling beer & Gluhwein at £3.50 a pint.
12.00pm
Scots Guards arrive on site to perform toward Robin Park.
Cadets on site distributing info leaflet about the story of the truce.
DW Sports Lounge and Marquee open to the public.
Wigan Athletic Community Trust staff with placards bearing old news headlines.
Royal British Legion attendance doing collections.
1.00pm
Combined army band to play outside stadium and at Robin Park.
2.10pm
DW Sports brass band to take to the field and play Christmas carols.
2.35pm
Sarah Dennis to take to the pitch to sing ‘I Will Remember You’.
2.45pm
Gun wheeled in to the stadium.
The Mayor of Wigan, standard bearers, military band and Scots Guard band to march and perform in the stadium.
2.52pm
Players walkout to marching music and fanfare.
Minute’s silence commencing and ending with the firing of the gun, and sounding of the last post.
Half time
Up and coming girl band The Piccadillys to perform ‘Silent Night’.
Community Trust staff take to the field for the Community Club of the Year presentation.
‘Where have all the flowers gone?’ – A new charity track recorded in Wigan by The Armstice Pals to be played on the PA.
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