Page 5 - Deal Round Up December 2020

The Three Horseshoes

A great, friendly, traditional pub in Great Mongeham where you
will find a warm welcome from
Landlords Rachel and Johnny.
01304 379216
All Sky Sports & BT Sports Shown
On Three HD Screens

BOOKINGS - Now Being Taken For 2021; GARDEN PARTIES - WEDDINGS -
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS FOR ALL AGES - CHRISTENINGS - ANNIVERSARIES
- (A Small Deposit Secures)
The Above Includes; Free Use Of Garden Facilities.
(Bring Your Own Food Or We Can Supply)
Children Have Free Use Of;
BOUNCY CASTLE - SLIDES - SWINGS - TRAMPOLINE
BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT - PLEASE PHONE TO BOOK
Johnny & Rachel wish all their customers a very happy
Christmas & safe and prosperous New Year

Football Was Popular With Prisoners Of War
Football was a popular form of recreation for British prison-
ers of war. The Red Cross and YMCA supplied balls and kit
and in many of the large Prisoner Of War camps there were
organised leagues. The team named ‘Aston Villa’ at Stalag
XX1D at Poznan in occupied Poland (pictured), obviously re-
flected on the peacetime support for the Midlands club.
Manchester City’s famous goalkeeper Bert Trautmann came to Britain as a German POW in
1945, showing the popularity of the game amongst other nationalities.
Football Was An Important Form Of Recreation For Civilians
At home, football was a hugely popular form of recreation
and spectators turned out in good numbers for the match-
es in the regional leagues, cup and service competitions
and this attendances actually increased after the end of
the Blitz in May 1941. Spectators were often able to see
the top players serving in the armed forces, turning out
for the nearest club to where they were based, under the
‘guest player’ system.
Many Professional Footballers Served In The Armed Forces
All professional footballers had their contracts terminat-
ed in September 1939 after football was suspended. Ac-
cording the Picture Post, by April 1940, 629 pro’s had
joined the services, 514 to the army, 84 the RAF and 31
to the Royal Navy. Many went into war work. In 1940 a
factory in Oldbury employed 18 West Bromwich Albion
players. 80 professional footballers were killed during the
war. Many more were injured or became POWs.
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