Footballers at War: 1939-1945
Bolton Players at War (Bleacher Report) |
The Second World War was the biggest, bloodiest war to unfortunately take place. A total of 40-60 million soldiers and civilians perished during the conflict. The idea adopted the use of "Total War" meaning everyone in the country would have to play their own respective roles in achieving success. Whether you were a member of the Home Guard (like in Dad's Army), a soldier in the front line or a woman manufacturing ammunition and supplies for those fighting overseas, you were expected to do your duty for King and country.
Sergeant Cristiano? |
Soldiering Striker Stan Mortensen |
The Galloping Major |
Combining football with history...nice. |
The three English footballers, mentioned above are just a small number of those who fought for their country during the war, and footballers making up a minuscule number in comparison to the total who helped the war effort in the UK. However it is important that we never forget the contribution, large or small of the British, American, Russian and numerous other Armies, as without it, life as we now know it may have been a whole lot different!
"Never has so much been owed, by so many, to so few"
Winston Churchill
Comments
Top work.
Adam Heayns
A View From the Centenary Stand
Association Football and English Society: 1863-1915 by Tony Mason.
Football and the English: a social history of association football in England, 1863-1995 by Dave Russell.
Girls With Balls: A Secret History of Women's Football by Tim Tate, (John Blake, 2013)
These three were also of help!