With such focus from within the footballing community this week on Remembrance Sunday, there was something appropriate about Colchester being the venue for last night’s game. Troops from the garrison town formed a guard of honour for both sets of players, who emerged for the national anthem with poppies proudly stitched into their tracksuit jackets.

That if any shall detract from a Lady's Character, […]the said Detractress shall be forthwith ordered to the lowest place of the Room.

Unstripping the wrapper, unrolling the paper within, opening out the glazed sheets, she could feel her fingers positively shake with excitement.

The rolling mist came down and hid the land: / And never home came she.