Marking the death of a true Hero: Club's tribute to Walter Tull

Northampton Town have paid tribute to one of the club's most famous sons, and one of the country's unsung heroes.

It was on the battlefields in the Somme region of France where Walter Tull lost his life. Having fought in the Battle of the Somme in 1916, he was killed during the Spring Offensive two years later. It was Germany's last push to break through the British Allies resistance.

WATCH: Service honours a true hero

Northampton manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink returned to those former battlegrounds as part of a special week-long commemoration by the club of the man who made the ultimate sacrifice.

He laid a wreath dedicated to the Footballers Regiment with whom Walter Tull served with the army. The Memorial stands in Longueval, Northern France. Recognised as the first black officer to lead white troops.

In fact, Tull inspired such loyalty in his men, that when he was gunned down, his troops attempted to recover his body under heavy machine gun fire, but unable to do so, his remains were never found.

Tull's legacy lives on at a memorial garden close to the Cobblers' Sixfields Stadium, and in a series of statues at Northampton's Guildhall.

There are calls for Walter Tull to be awarded the Military Cross for gallantry, after originally being recommended for the medal.

* Watch ITV News Anglia's report from 2012 when Michael Morpurgo called for Tull to be awarded the MC**

And just last week Labour MP and Spurs footballer Dele Alli were among those calling for posthumous recognition.

Tull commemorated on special coin

And Northampton's week-long on-line project telling his story, Tull 100, has been backed by the EFL. They want other clubs to get involved and set their own projects to promote inclusion. Recognition for what they... and particularly Northampton Town, call one of football's true heroes.