Signed Derby County shirts have raised £4,581 for the UK’s largest Armed Forces charity, The Royal British Legion, in last year’s Sky Bet Poppy Shirt Auction.


Overall, shirts from all clubs in the Sky Bet Championship raised £86,924 - bringing the total amount raised over three seasons to more than £310,000.

Signed match-worn Poppy shirts from Derby’s 3-0 home win against Rotherham United on 19th November 2016 were auctioned on Sky Bet’s eBay page, along with the limited-edition match-ball from the game, emblazoned with the emblematic Poppy logo.

The shirts raised an average of £157 per player.

In total, 673 items went under the hammer, raising an average of £131 per item.

Meanwhile, the ten limited edition footballs used in Championship games across the period raised £1,191.



The money raised will be used by the Legion to support the vital welfare services it provides to the Armed Forces community, such as the Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall which helps wounded, injured and sick Service personnel to achieve their best possible recovery and either return to Service duty or to make a smooth transition to civilian life.

Sky Bet spokesman Sandro Di Michele said: “After the third season of a really rewarding partnership between ourselves and the Legion, we continue to be surprised by the generosity that fans show when bidding and donating to this important cause.

“We’d like to thank everyone who placed a bid on any of the items that were sold and thank the clubs in the Sky Bet Championship for their participation.”

The Royal British Legion’s Chris Vernazza said: “The Royal British Legion is delighted to have Sky Bet’s ongoing support, which, along with the help of the generous public who bid on the shirts and balls, has raised over £310,000 in the last three years for the charity.

“The contribution is greatly appreciated and will assist the Legion in making a difference to the lives of Serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and their families, who are in need of our welfare services.”