Queen Elizabeth II: Premier League & Women’s Super League tributes continue


Premier League clubs paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II as the competition returned to weekend action for the first time since her death.

Teams and match officials wore black armbands, while bouquets were laid in the centre circle at all Premier League games.

A minute’s silence was followed by a rendition of God Save the King.

Football in Britain was called off the weekend after the UK’s longest-serving monarch died aged 96 on 8 September.

At Molineux, where Wolves hosted Manchester City on Saturday, former players Steve Bull and Mike Summerbee laid bouquets in the centre circle, while Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn and Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley did the same at St James’ Park.

Tributes were similarly observed at games on the opening weekend of the Women’s Super League.

Former Tottenham player Ledley King and ex-Leicester City striker Emile Heskey laid flowers in the centre circle before Saturday’s late Premier League game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

While tributes to the Queen were paid across the UK, Dundee United say they are “aware of the actions of a small section of the crowd” who disturbed a minute’s silence before their Scottish Premiership meeting with Rangers.

On Sunday a minute’s applause at St Mirren, who were hosting Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, was disrupted by chants from the away end.

Tributes were also paid at Brentford Community Stadium before Brentford played Arsenal on Sunday, and at Goodison Park prior to Everton against West Ham.

The minute’s silence was interrupted by some boos at Everton and was brought to an end early, however the vast majority observed the tribute.

Everton manager Frank Lampard and West Ham boss David Moyes laid wreaths in the centre circle, and the national anthem was played before the final game of a truncated weekend of Premier League football.

Three matches – Crystal Palace at Brighton, Leeds against Manchester United and Chelsea at home to Liverpool – were all postponed because of policing issues, with resources being directed to preparations for the state funeral on Monday.

Everton and West Ham observe a minute silence for Queen Elizabeth II
Everton and West Ham observe a minute silence for Queen Elizabeth II
Brentford and Arsenal observe a minute's silence for Queen Elizabeth II
Brentford and Arsenal observe a minute’s silence for Queen Elizabeth II
Former players Ledley King and Emile Heskey lay flowers in the centre of the pitch before Tottenham v Leicester
Former players Ledley King and Emile Heskey lay flowers in the centre of the pitch before Tottenham v Leicester
Tottenham fans observe a minute's silence
Tottenham fans observe a minute’s silence
Newcastle and Bournemouth players pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Newcastle and Bournemouth players pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn and Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley hold wreaths to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn and Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley hold wreaths to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
A union jack is hung outside St James' Park
A union jack is hung outside St James’ Park
Flags fly at half-mast over the Molineux stands
Flags fly at half-mast over the Molineux stands
Steve Bull and Mike Summerbee lay floral tributes inside the centre circle at Molineux
Steve Bull and Mike Summerbee, legendary former players of Wolves and City, lay floral tributes inside the centre circle at Molineux
Manchester City and Wolves hold minute's silence
Wolves and Manchester City observed a minute’s silence for Queen Elizabeth before the start of Saturday’s opening Premier League fixture
Manchester City take part in a minute's silence as a mark of respect for Queen Elizabeth II
Manchester City take part in a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for Queen Elizabeth II
Manchester United Women and Reading Women players pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Manchester United Women and Reading Women players pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

The English Football League resumed on Tuesday, with tributes respectfully observed, as they were at Friday’s two Premier League games between Aston Villa and Southampton, and Nottingham Forest and Fulham.

All lights were even turned out during the minute’s silence at Villa Park, except for one spotlight on the Aston Villa and Southampton players on the centre circle.

At the City Ground, as at other grounds, wreaths were placed in the centre circle before the minute’s silence, with managers Marco Silva and Steve Cooper carrying out the tribute.

Arsenal Women observed a minute’s silence for Queen Elizabeth II ahead of the Women’s Super League season opener against Brighton at a sold-out Meadow Park.

Tributes were also paid at Leigh Sports Village before Manchester United met Reading on Saturday, and prior to matches on Sunday, including Aston Villa against Manchester City and Liverpool v Chelsea.

At all matches, big screens and perimeter boards displayed tribute images to Her Majesty and flags were flown at half-mast.

Fans have also been invited to applaud as each game reaches 70 minutes during this round of top-flight games, in honour of the Queen’s 70-year reign.

Aston Villa and Southampton players during a minute's silence for Queen Elizabeth II
Villa Park was in darkness during the minute’s silence, but for a spotlight on the centre circle
Nottingham Forest and Fulham players walk on to the field before a minute's silence for Queen Elizabeth II
Managers Marco Silva and Steve Cooper laid wreaths in the centre circle at the City Ground
Nottingham Forest players during a minute's silence for Queen Elizabeth II
Images of Queen Elizabeth II were displayed on the big screen at the City Ground
Singer Laura Wright performs the National Anthem at Villa Park following the death of Queen Elizabeth II
Laura Wright sang God Save The King at Villa Park, watched by managers Steven Gerrard and Ralph Hasenhuttl
Aston Villa match programme paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Aston Villa’s match programme featured images of Queen Elizabeth II
Aston Villa fans holding a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Some Villa fans brought home-made tributes to Friday’s game
Arsenal and Brighton observe a minute's silence ahead of the Women's Super League opener
Arsenal and Brighton observe a minute’s silence ahead of the Women’s Super League opener

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