SKY BET AUCTION LIMITED-EDITION MATCH-BALLS

Football League sponsor Sky Bet is to auction 12 limited-edition Mitre match-balls used in Sky Bet Championship games in aid of The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

The commemorative match-balls will be used on Friday November 5 and Saturday November 6. 

They will go on sale, alongside signed, match-worn shirts from each of the 24 Championship clubs. 

For the first time, fans of Sky Bet League 1 and League 2 clubs will also be able to help the cause, and bid on a fully signed shirt from their club, emblazoned with the official Legion Poppy.

Last year, Sky Bet and clubs from The Championship worked together to raise over £118,000 for The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal through a similar campaign. The money raised helped to provide ongoing support for services such as the Legion’s work with wounded, injured and sick Service personnel at the Battle Back Centre in the West Midlands.

All money raised this year will go towards supporting vital services such as The Royal British Legion’s Family Holiday Breaks, which gives the families of serving and ex-Service personnel the chance to take a family break away from the strains of everyday life.

Sky Bet spokesperson, Edwin Martin, said: “Last season, the response from Championship fans was absolutely phenomenal and we are thrilled to be able to invite fans of all 72 Football League clubs to help us beat last year’s total in what promises to be our biggest auction yet.

“It’s great to see football fans come together to help communities across the UK by giving back to the families of those who have done so much for this country.”

The Royal British Legion’s Head of Corporate Partnerships, Louise Ajdukiewicz, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to have Sky Bet’s support for a second year running. The 2014 campaign raised an astounding amount for the Legion, and we are thrilled that they will be supporting us again by raising funds for vital services like the Battle Back Centre and Family Holiday Breaks.”

To see which items are available, or to place a bid, please visit: www.skybet.com/poppy