The joys of football

With the excitement of the London Olympics and Euro 2012, the summer has been filled with sporting achievement. There’s not really been time to sit back and relax however, as barely a week after the closing ceremony of the Olympics the football season kicked off again. As one friend commented "We now have something to live for again". The nation’s sport frustrates and thrills in equals measure. 

Football at the Summer Camp, c.1920s

Closer to home football has always been played throughout the Charity’s history. It was seen as a way of bringing the young people together, whilst partaking in healthy exercise. Whether it was on the sandy dunes of Birkdale, during the week long holiday at the Summer Camp, (dressed in long sleeved shirts and shorts) or on the fields of Belmont (where the young people still play today) one of the national pastimes of England were enjoyed by many.

Belmont football team, 1950

Even staff could be seen partaking in the odd football game over the years. Only last month employees of the Together Trust got together for a friendly (at times) football competition and a few choice burgers. A well deserved victory for the Central Office team resulted, who defeated their colleagues from Residential, Education and Community and Domiciliary Care over three games (yes, I play for Central so I’m partaking in some shameful gloating!).

Together Trust football champion's trophy, 2012

Of course football is not always about competition. The famous Christmas Truce of 1914, during the First World War, reputedly involved a ‘kick-about’ between enemy forces with several hundred men taking part.

“Everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves. There was no sort of ill-will between us. There was no referee, and no score, no tally at all.”

- Ernie Williams Territorial of 6/Cheshires http://www.christmastruce.co.uk/article.html#match

It’s not always about competition but victory is always sweet!