Watford fans are being urged to arrive at Vicarage Road early for Saturday’s match with Millwall to help with a remembrance display to mark 100 years since the beginning of the First World War.

The 1881 supporters’ group have created a commemorative poppy display which will cover the whole of the Rookery End.

It will contain 6,800 foils, one for each seat in the stand, and has been paid for by the Watford players, who offered to stump up the money needed after learning of The 1881’s plans.

Roy Moore, who helped create the group, said: “I think it is a fantastic way to remember the fallen heroes. It is a way of remembering both the servicemen and our former players who served this country, in a way which has never been done before; certainly not on this magnitude.

“I will be immensely proud and so will The 1881 group if everything goes to plan.”

There will be eight ‘team leaders’ who will help coordinate the foils and around 80 fans have already offered to help set up the display.

But Moore is keen to recruit additional volunteers, who would need to be at Vicarage Road Stadium by 9am on Saturday morning. Information on how to help can be found below.

But even if you are unable to volunteer in the morning, The 1881 still needs everyone who sits in the Rookery to help by showing up for the game at least ten minutes early.

“It won’t work unless everyone joins in,” Moore explained. “We need everyone in their seat by 2.50pm for it to work so I’d plead with everyone to please get to their seat ten minutes before kick-off.”

As well as the funding, the club have supported The 1881 in organising the display.

Saturday’s game is Watford’s ‘Remembrance Matchday’ and is expected to be a sell-out.

The club are urging all season ticket holders who are not attending the fixture to notify the club so they can re-sell the seats, with the profit going to the Royal British Legion (RBL).

The Hornets’ players will be wearing their black-and-white away kit, which is a similar design to the strip used 100 years ago, and the shirts used on Saturday will be auctioned, with the profit also being donated to the RBL.

A commemorative programme will be made which will contain 100 pages and will be completely black and white. It will cost £5 with the additional £2 in cost going to RBL.

Those wanting to help on Saturday morning should fill out the form here and can find out more information by emailing the1881movement@yahoo.com.

The 1881 group was set up in the spring of 2013 with the aim of improving the atmosphere at Watford games by creating a singing section, which is based in the Rookery End.

They have more than 400 members and – with the help of the Watford Supporters Trust – have raised more than £4,000 to spend on banners and flags.

This week a ‘Legends’ banner will be ordered and should be displayed at Vicarage Road before the end of November.

“We have come a long way in a short space of time in terms of the banners we have created and in helping to get the atmosphere going on a matchday,” Moore said.

Watford Observer:

Back two rows: Duncan Welbourne, John McClelland, Stewart Scullion, Tony Coton, Heidar Helguson, Luther Blissett, John Barnes.

Front two rows: Ross Jenkins, Tommy Mooney, Graham Taylor, Nigel Gibbs and Cliff Holton.