For the duration of the 2009/10 season, Help for Heroes is the official charity partner of The Football League and tens of thousands of pounds have already been raised through the generosity of fans across England and Wales.

Football for Heroes week is eight days of action where all 72 Football League clubs are dedicating their home game to supporting the charity which rehabilitates injured military personnel.

With a relationship dating back over a century Football for Heroes Week is just the latest chapter in a long history between the beautiful game and the armed forces.

Since World War One, football has been a crucial tool, serving originally as a vehicle for recruitment as the public followed their heroes into signing up for King and Country.

"Football players attained in some regions a rather iconic status and they used that status to contribute to mobilise British society," says Pierre Purseigle, Director of the Centre for First World War Studies at Birmingham University. "In many instances they also led by example by volunteering and by encouraging others to sign up."

But the stars of the day were not exempt from the front line and many were killed in action including Northampton Town inside centre, Walter Tull - a commanding officer in the famous 'Football Battalion'.

Leyton Orient, known then as Clapton Orient, also lost leading goal scorers Richard McFadden and William Jonas to the Somme in 1916.

During the Second World War, Preston North End's Sir Tom Finney, Wolverhampton Wanderers' Billy Wright and Middlesbrough's Wilf Mannion were just some of the icons that answered the call. More recently, ex-Lincoln City striker Phil Stant switched to football from the Army after having served in the Falklands.

Today, football flags fly proudly at bases and from tanks on far-away battlefields and The Football League's recent visit to the defence rehabilitation centre, Headley Court with the Carling Cup made it clear that the game is still an integral cog in the military machine.

And building on the incredible support already shown by countless League clubs across the country, Football for Heroes week sets out to be an extended, united demonstration of that intrinsic bond.

Media officer Andy Hall, who left the Royal Engineers in April 2009 after 25 years of service, including tours of Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan said: "The work done by the Help for Heroes charity has been fantastic and has made a massive difference to members of the Armed Forces who have been injured in the line of duty.

"I have seen first-hand the impact that assistance from Help for Heroes can have during the rehabilitation process, whether it is through their Battle Back programme that gets those that are seriously injured involved in morale boosting adventure training activities, or by providing funding for the vital Personnel Recovery Centres that guide so many young men and women through what can be a very difficult time of adjustment.

"I can't stress enough how important this charity is. Whether you agree with the current military commitments or not, the fact is that so many of our Armed Forces are out there and involved in combat situations on a daily basis. They have a right to know that they will be looked after should they find themselves in difficulty because of that, and we can all help to achieve that by giving as much support as we can to the Help for Heroes charity.

"I was delighted to hear that Help for Heroes was the official Football League charity for this season, and I hope that the partnership will be beneficial for everyone.

"Our designated Football for Heroes game is against Colchester United this weekend. All that we ask is that our fans spare a moment of thought for the thousands of troops who will be putting their lives in danger as we wait for kick off and, perhaps, they will then choose to support what is an increasingly effective charity in the important work that they do."

United fans can find out more about, and donate to, Help For Heroes by clicking HERE.