Shropshire Star

Wolves pay rousing tributes to Leicester City and armed forces ahead of Spurs clash

Wolves' players, staff and fans paid a poignant tribute to those who died in the Leicester City helicopter crash - and marked the 100th anniversary since the end of the First World War.

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Players of Wolverhampton Wanderers stand in honour of remembrance day (AMA/Sam Bagnall)

A two minute's silence was held at Molineux before tonight's game against Tottenham Hotspur.

Serving armed forces from all three services were welcomed on to the pitch by both sides before the Last Post was played.

Fans in the Steve Bull stand displayed a mosaic of 4,272 poppies, representing the number of people from Wolverhampton who lost their lives during the war.

Both teams wore black armbands and warmed up in special t-shirts to pay tribute to Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and those who died in last weekend's tragic crash. Royal blue flowers were also laid in the centre circle by Bully and Laurie Dalrymple.

Managing director Dalrymple expressed Wolves' deepest sympathies.

Writing in the matchday programme, he said: "I met Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha at the King Power Stadium in August and he welcomed us warmly, before personally handing out free shirt to supporters, which illustrates the type of generous character he was.

"His vision, leadership and incredible contribution to the history of his football club inspires everyone else in the footballing world and helps teams like ours set targets that once would have seemed impossible - that will be his eternal legacy."

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said: "Our thoughts have been with Leicester City and the families of everyone who passed away so tragically last weekend.

"We are rivals on the pitch but a football family off it and we stand together with them at this moment of grief."

Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers wearing a together with Leicester shirt (AMA/Sam Bagnall)

And captain Conor Coady added: "At times like these, club rivalries on a Saturday count for nothing, it's just football coming together and everybody here at Wolves has been thinking of those affected this week.

"They are the nearest team to us in the Premier League and we've already played them twice this season and they are a fantastic club.

"The whole football family is with them."