Folkestone Invicta Football Club Statement: Rifleman Peter Aldridge

Since learning of the death in service of Rifleman Aldridge we have repeatedly scheduled to commemorate his loss but fixtures have been postponed because of the wintry weather.

The Club can now confirm that, with the blessing of the Aldridge family, we will invite the town to join with us to pay our respects to Rifleman Aldridge on TUESDAY 20th APRIL, when Croydon Athletic are our visitors. As the Aldridge family came to Folkestone from Croydon two years ago, this presents the opportunity to do something more substantial in the young man's memory.

We are therefore inviting the wider community to join us in observing a minute's silence before the match (ko 7.45pm), and to precede the silence with a roll-call of organisations, businesses, schools and clubs in and around Folkestone and Croydon who are represented on the evening to pay their respects. To encourage a good attendance we propose to waive the normal gate charge and allow free entry. Shorncliffe Garrison is then organising a gate collection for Help for Heroes and we hope those attending will donate generously to that very worthy cause. To be in good time for the pre-match roll-call we are asking all spectators to please be at the ground by soon after 7pm.

We believe there are very many in the local community who would value the opportunity to share in our commemoration of a young life lost in the service of his country, and to demonstrate that as a Garrison Town Folkestone, like Wootton Bassett, is ready to recognise our Armed Forces and the sacrifices they bear. All will be welcomed irrespective of whether they wish to stay on for the match itself.

More details of on-the-day arrangements will be issued a few days prior to 20th April.

Representatives of local groups who wish to support this occasion are requested to contact the Club by emailing Lynn@adastra.com