A group of young footballers in south Cumbria showed 'great maturity' to take part in the Remembrance Day commemorations.

Members of both the Walney Blues and Walney Yellows Under-seven sides wore specially printed football shirts on Saturday, November 9 to pay their respects to veterans, actively serving personnel, and fallen soldiers.

Read more: Armistice Day: Barrow veterans urge Remembrance to be passed to youth | The Mail

It was the first time that many of the children had been involved in a minute's silence, leaving all those involved immensely proud of the behaviour on display.

The managers of the two sides decided to print poppies onto the shirts for the occasionThe managers of the two sides decided to print poppies onto the shirts for the occasion (Image: Julia Carpenter)

Lee-Jay Dugdale, the coach of the Walney Blues, said: "Annually, in their fixture ahead of Remembrance Sunday, players and parents in junior football take part in a minute's silence to show respect for fallen soldiers and support for the armed forces, veterans and their families.

"This year was the Under-seven's first experience taking part in the minute of silence before a football game, and given their age, they showed great maturity in remaining silent for the duration.

"Both me and Lee Fitzsimmons [the Walney Yellows coach] decided it would be fitting to purchase memorial poppy stickers to add to the players' kits and hand out to spectators."

The players and managers taking part in a minute's silenceThe players and managers taking part in a minute's silence (Image: Julia Carpenter) Read more: South Cumbria residents show 'commitment' to Remembrance Day | The Mail

Having seen how successful the idea turned out to be, the two teams are now looking to take this even further in the years to come, as well as introducing charitable fundraising on the day to support worthy causes.

"The game of football that followed was a great spectacle, with both teams giving it their all," Lee-Jay added.

"There was an abundance of footballing ability on show and plenty of goals as the reward. 

"Most importantly, all players enjoyed their Saturday morning and finished the game with a smile on their faces."

Kit sponsors for the Walney Island Under-seven teams include Jamie Morrison Roofing, MTB Mainwarings, CJ's Car Sales Askam, and Support for Furness Homeless Shelter.