WW1 Remembrance Day match a ‘fitting tribute’

Everyone that took part in the Remembrance Sunday game at South Hill Park. Photo: Neil Graham.
Everyone that took part in the Remembrance Sunday game at South Hill Park. Photo: Neil Graham.

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It’s been 100 years since the guns fell silent on the battle fields of Europe to end World War 1. To commemorate the centenary, Bracknell Town Council organised several events including the country wide torch lighting ceremony and fireworks at North Lake, Bracknell.

To kick off the day, the council staged an authentic re-enactment of the WW1 Christmas Day truce football match with the Bracknell Town & District Sunday League and East Berkshire League organising the teams on a muddy pitch with goal uprights made from small tree trunks, a net and no crossbar.

With the present day FC Bracknell under 7s and under 8s as honoured guests, Hope & Anchor took to the field in First World War style grey shirts, braces, green shorts and white socks and Finchampstead Athletic Sunday in green shirts, braces, green shorts and black socks plus with the officials in dressed in army officer uniforms.

The Remembrance Day game at South Hill Park. Photo: Neil Graham.
The Remembrance Day game at South Hill Park. Photo: Neil Graham.

Bracknell Town’s Mayor, Cllr Mrs Sandra Ingham got the match underway with the traditional lob in. With 20 minutes played, Hope & Anchor took to lead as authentic 1910’s brown leather ball with laces, slipped past the Finchampstead’s keeper. Finch replied, all square at half time, 1-1.

Half time entertainment took the form of the competitive walking football which the officers in uniform took charge off.

With the leather ball retired, the second half got underway with a modern match ball which Hope and Anchor slotted home again, 2-1, but with additional Fergie time played, Finch equalised. The last kick of the game fell to Hope & Anchor as the officer called time and brought an end to proceedings, 2-2.

With the game over, Bracknell Town’s Mayor Cllr Mrs Sandra Ingham. awarded medals to all participants. This match was a fitting tribute to all those braves souls that had lost their lives in the line of duty, local grassroots football should be proud of the part it played.

More of Neil’s pictures in this weeks Bracknell News, out on Wednesday priced 70p.

Main image: Everyone involved lines up by Neil Graham.

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