WANDERERS players visited the battlefields of the Somme this week as part of the centenary commemorations of the outbreak of World War One.

As part of their two-day visit to the north of France the players laid a poppy tribute to former Wanderer James McDermott - who was killed in combat but whose body was never found - at the Thiepval Memorial.

They also visited the Footballers' Battalion Memorial at Longueval, which pays tribute to the 17th and 23rd Middlesex regiments. They were known as the Footballers' Battalions because of the number of professional players who represented them.

Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth was selected by the Football League to attend the official unveiling of the memorial in 2010.

He said: "I’ve always wanted to take a team out to the battlefields since I first went to the Somme four years ago and I’m so pleased that I was able to make it happen, with the help of the club.

"It helped give the players a sense of perspective and a real insight into the heroism of footballers just like themselves who fought and died for their country. It was part of our development for the team and it was great to go over there at a time when they have been performing so well.

"The players really bought into the whole experience and I was a proud man to see the respect, interest and enthusiasm they showed throughout the whole trip."

Captain Paul Hayes, who laid a wreath at the Longueval memorial on behalf of the club, said: "It was a fascinating trip for the whole group and it was a real privilege to hear about the Footballers’ Battalion and the sacrifices they made.

"It’s important that everyone continues to respect and appreciate what the soldiers had to go through, and we as players have certainly taken a lot from the trip."

Wanderers' Adams Park stadium will host the launch of the countywide Poppy Appeal on Saturday, October 25 prior to the match with Dagenham and Redbridge.