大象传媒

One of the most famous football matches of all time was recreated by young men from Nottinghamshire. Newark Town FC under 21s played a game near Ypres to commemorate the Christmas Truce game during WW1.

Letters and diary entries suggest that Newark soldier Private William Setchfield was there and could have even been the goalkeeper and provided the ball.

The famous cartoonist Bruce Bairnsfather is known to have been in the same place as William Setchfield that Christmas and wrote of the unofficial truce:

鈥淎bout noon, as the general laxity and friendliness were growing, a football match was suggested. Someone had evidently received a deflated football as a Christmas present.

Kurt Zehmisch of the 134 Saxon Regiment was also there and wrote in his diary:

鈥淎 couple of English brought a football out of their trench and a vigorous football match began鈥�.so after all the Christmas festival 鈥� the festival of love 鈥� caused the hated enemies to be friends for a short time.鈥�

Private William was a Nottingham Forest fan who played in goal for St Leonards Church team in Newark wrote to his brother:

鈥樷�橧 really envy you very much chasing the ball about. Edith sends me the Football Post occasionally so I am able to see about the Reds鈥�it is kind of you to wish to send me something useful, nothing would be more acceptable than the goods you mention.鈥�

Newark historians believe that it was a football which Private William received for Christmas and that he could have provided the deflated ball for the game and may even have been the goalkeeper.

Newark Town FC marked the 100th anniversary with a 鈥榯ruce鈥� match against their German twin town in August 2014.

Location: Newark Town FC, Collingham Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 7RA
Image: The Christmas Truce, courtesy of IWM

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