Hull City fans pay tribute to Private Gregg Stone at KC Stadium
IT WAS a moment filled with emotion.
As the widow of Private Gregg Stone walked to the centre spot with the match ball, a hush fell over the Hull City crowd, before applause erupted around the KC Stadium.
-
Gregg Stone's widow, Samantha Stone, brings on the match ball before kick off for the Hull City v Barnsley game on Saturday.
Samantha Stone, who is eight months pregnant with Gregg’s baby, walked with two soldiers from 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, who laid wreaths on the pitch ahead of Hull City’s game against Barnsley.
Gregg, 20, of Atwick, near Hornsea, was shot dead during a mission to rescue a senior Afghan policeman from the Taliban in June.
NEED SOME HOUSE KEYS CUTTING ? WHY NOT GET THEM FOR FREE ? WITH...
Peace Of Mind Security Hull Ltd/Hull Car Keys
View details
BUY ANY YALE / CYLINDER HOUSE KEY AND GET ONE FREE, THATS RIGHT FREE !!!
PEACE OF MIND SECURITY
153 HALLGATE, COTTINGHAM
HU16 4BB
01482 423414
Terms: ONLY ONE PER CUSTOMER, YOU MUST BUY FIRST KEY TO GET SECOND KEY FREE, YOU MUST PRINT OUT OFFER AND BRING INTO THE SHOP TO RECIVE THE OFFER
Contact: 01482 423414
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
Fans, players and officials stood to applaud the three figures as they made their way to the centre of the pitch shortly before 3pm.
Hull City and Barnsley players lined the centre circle as the referee’s whistle sounded to mark a minute’s silence.
With their arms raised in salute, the two soldiers flanked Samantha at the edge of the centre circle while the crowd reflected solemnly and respectfully.
At the end of the silence, as the Yorkshire soldiers went to retrieve their wreaths, city player Liam Rosenior walked over to Samantha, laid his hand on her arm and shook her hand.
Gregg’s parents, Bob and Angie, were also VIP guests at the game and said they were enormously honoured to have been invited.
A total of 400 tickets were donated by the Tigers to members of the Armed Forces for the game.
Prior to the game four standard bearers, led by parade marshal Barry Medhurst, walked around the pitch as fans stood up to applaud.
They then, along with eight soldiers formed a guard of honour as the teams came out onto the pitch.
Mr Medhurst, chairman of the Hull-based Prince of Wales’s Own Regiment of Yorkshire Association, said they were proud to be part of the day.
He said: “We have never done anything like this at the KC.
“It is an honour for me to be here.
“It is an honour for us to have the Yorkshire soldiers here and take the standards around the pitch.”
The four standards were the Royal Engineers, the Parachute Regiment, Light Infantry and the British Nuclear Test Veterans.
At half-time, the crowd was introduced to eight Humberside Police officers who had cycled 358 miles up from Warminster to raise money for a rehabilitation charity.
They took the plaudits of the crowd as they did a lap of honour.
And they were then rewarded with a cheque for £1,000 from Allam Marine, the company owned by TIgers chairman Assem Allam.
Lieutenant Tom Burnham, of the 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, was one of the 400 soldiers at the game.
He said: “It has been a Herculean effort and we wanted to come up here to support them and say thanks.
“The money will go towards a rehabilitation programme for soldiers who have just come back from Afghanistan.
“The bulk of the Yorkshire soldiers came back last week.
“We lost nine soldiers in this tour which is why they contacted us and wanted to do something.”
There were also two military vehicles stationed outside the West Stand.
Comments
by albaz
Tuesday, November 06 2012, 11:26AM
“Nonsense to mention a war to defend the country against invasion and occupation with a conflict we should not and need not be in. However,brave is brave and courage has been in evidence many times often with fatal consequences. The tragedy of these deaths and the huge number of disabled casualties is that the Taliban will be back in control by 2016. The "terrorists" we are combating now are the "freedom fighters"armed by America to kill Soviet invaders. The names, like political parties,may change but the same people die or are maimed on the whim of such as Reagan,Thatcher,Bush and Blair.”
by SuperRick
Tuesday, November 06 2012, 10:10AM
“DukeofFlange
And also protects people - like you? Good job 1939-45 did not pan out that way!”
by gabrielleelou
Tuesday, November 06 2012, 9:39AM
“DukeofFlange - Yeah, so you could live in peace with your family... They're ultimately doing it for our country knowing they are risking their own lives! Just because you don't have the bo*****s to stand up and fight for your country doesn't mean other people won't.”
by DukeofFlange
Monday, November 05 2012, 7:29PM
“SuperRick- you still chose a profession which boils down to killing other people.”
by saxonking
Monday, November 05 2012, 12:13PM
“Respect.”
by SuperRick
Monday, November 05 2012, 8:50AM
“As a former serving member of 24 years, I went to the gulf and other places and have to remind you that soldiers do not choose politicians and do not choose wars. We do sign up knowing that conflict and danger are possibilities and accept the risks.
I survived two war zones, many others did not. Please support those that try to help those left behind, SSAFA and the British Legion, by buying a poppy, which represents those that have died - not the political reasons for war.
I was there on Saturday and thought the crowd was fantastic and how brave for that fallen soldiers's wife to walk out there on Saturday. She demands our respect and our help.”
by cazmarelda
Monday, November 05 2012, 8:31AM
“Reading this brought a lump to my throat and swelled my heart with pride for our forces. I wish they did not have to fight what seems to be a rather pointless war but I respect them for what they do and wish them all a safe return to their loved ones.
So sorry to Private Stones widow and family and I wish all the very best for the coming birth.
To Private Stone - god bless soldier and thank you xxx”