POPPY shirts worn by Reading players in the match against Wolverhampton Wanderers have gathered more than £2,400 for The Royal British Legion.

Seventeen Royals shirts were sold to the highest bidder on the CharityStars website as part of the Sky Bet Poppy Auction, which raised almost £87,000 in 2016.

Betting finished on December 27 and the shirts worn by John Swift (£240), Chris Gunter (£220) and Vito Mannone (£180) were among the most lucrative purchases.

Sky Bet spokesman Sandro Di Michele said: “The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal is a cause we have worked closely with for nearly four years and we’re always impressed by the swell of support we see from EFL clubs and their fans.

Reading Chronicle:

“To be in a position where we can raise a huge amount of money for such a worthwhile cause and pay our respects to those who have served our country is an honour.”

The money raised for the Legion will be used to support the welfare services it provides to the Armed Forces community.

The Royal British Legion’s Ben France said: “We are grateful to Sky Bet for supporting the Legion through the shirt auctions and to the football league community who each year dig deep and donate to the Poppy Appeal.

“The Legion’s work is made possible thanks to the public’s generous support and the money raised from the auction will help us provide support to the Armed Forces community wherever it is needed.”