a talk on footballers from the 1914-1918 war

[Never to the dark side]

hope this is of interest to you all

https://www.history.ac.uk/events/he-has-kept-game-going-professional-footballer-english-home-front-first-world-war

[22A]

In Peter Godsiff's history of City he states that Billy Wedlock and Len Southway were retained by City during WW1 to keep the club going. To maintain interest they arranged matched against teams from factories, the docks and service sides. The pair were only paid if City played Rovers.

As a result, City played Rovers 38 times in the four war time seasons! With players serving in the forces, both clubs fielded whoever was available. Supporters remained loyal though and after a win at Eastville, Southway & Wedlock had to fight their way through an angry crowd steering a pony & trap through the mob.

[Sleepy1968]

1 hour ago, 22A said:

In Peter Godsiff's history of City he states that Billy Wedlock and Len Southway were retained by City during WW1 to keep the club going. To maintain interest they arranged matched against teams from factories, the docks and service sides. The pair were only paid if City played Rovers.

As a result, City played Rovers 38 times in the four war time seasons! With players serving in the forces, both clubs fielded whoever was available. Supporters remained loyal though and after a win at Eastville, Southway & Wedlock had to fight their way through an angry crowd steering a pony & trap through the mob.

Like a red rag to a bull even back then.