Chairman's Blog: Lest we forget
Fri 11th November 2016 | Chairmans Blog | By Paul Lawler
As we mark Armistice Day with two minutes’ silence it is easy to underestimate the importance of football during World War I, and the impact it has on football in the UK, with many professional footballers never returning from the front line to their clubs.
I had the privilege last night to attend a charity dinner, hosted by the Woodland Trust and the National Football Museum to mark those footballers who went to war and never came back. The event was in support of For Club and Country which is honouring the memory of those who died by creating a lasting memorial to the fallen footballers by creating a memorial woodland.
Unlike many other sports, football didn’t cease with immediate effect when the First World War broke. It was a controversial decision but by the spring of 1915 a Footballers’ Battalion was formed and around 200 professional players with connections to more than 60 present-day Premier League and Football League clubs had enlisted. Players from the amateur game also joined.
Everyone knows of the Christmas Truce, but football also played a significant role in the war effort. Balls were kicked from the trenches into battle for soldiers to chase as they went over the top, while women’s football replaced the men’s game back home with matches played in front of packed stadiums. Where would the women’s game be now had the FA not banned it in 1921?
Many players lost their life or suffered life changing injuries that would end their careers. Donald Bell, a player from one of our former clubs, Bradford Park Avenue was the only professional footballer to receive the Victoria Cross only to lose his life a few week’s later. Only the second black player to play in the Football League, Walter Tull, went on to become first black British officer in the army, at a time when black soldiers were barred from serving as officers. Sadly Walter died in 1918.
The end of World War I also led to the formation and reformation of many football clubs, including many who currently play or have played in our League.
Our clubs will mark Armistice Day by observing a two minute’s silence prior to kick off at this weekend’s matches.
Lest we forget
Paul Lawler
Chairman, The Hallmark Security League
Chairman's Blog: Lest we forget
Fri 11th November 2016 | Chairmans Blog
By Paul Lawler
As we mark Armistice Day with two minutes’ silence it is easy to underestimate the importance of football during World War I, and the impact it has on football in the UK, with many professional footballers never returning from the front line to their clubs.
I had the privilege last night to attend a charity dinner, hosted by the Woodland Trust and the National Football Museum to mark those footballers who went to war and never came back. The event was in support of For Club and Country which is honouring the memory of those who died by creating a lasting memorial to the fallen footballers by creating a memorial woodland.
Unlike many other sports, football didn’t cease with immediate effect when the First World War broke. It was a controversial decision but by the spring of 1915 a Footballers’ Battalion was formed and around 200 professional players with connections to more than 60 present-day Premier League and Football League clubs had enlisted. Players from the amateur game also joined.
Everyone knows of the Christmas Truce, but football also played a significant role in the war effort. Balls were kicked from the trenches into battle for soldiers to chase as they went over the top, while women’s football replaced the men’s game back home with matches played in front of packed stadiums. Where would the women’s game be now had the FA not banned it in 1921?
Many players lost their life or suffered life changing injuries that would end their careers. Donald Bell, a player from one of our former clubs, Bradford Park Avenue was the only professional footballer to receive the Victoria Cross only to lose his life a few week’s later. Only the second black player to play in the Football League, Walter Tull, went on to become first black British officer in the army, at a time when black soldiers were barred from serving as officers. Sadly Walter died in 1918.
The end of World War I also led to the formation and reformation of many football clubs, including many who currently play or have played in our League.
Our clubs will mark Armistice Day by observing a two minute’s silence prior to kick off at this weekend’s matches.
Lest we forget
Paul Lawler
Chairman, The Hallmark Security League
