Heroes & Humans of Football

Football and the trenches: The 1914 Christmas truce

Dec 19, 2024

50:12

In 1914, 110 years ago exactly, British and German troops came up from the trenches to meet in no man’s land and play football. This remarkable event, known as the Christmas Truce, is the subject of today’s special episode.

Instead of focusing on one hero, human, or villain, this Christmas episode examines the humanity behind war, discussing how football has united people across languages, cultures, and history.

Simon and Mehreen delve deep into the story of World War I and beyond. They track the history of this poignant event, discussing its impact on Adolf Hitler (spoiler: he didn’t want to talk about it), the rise and suppression of women’s football, and discussing the event against wars and conflicts of today.

This poignant, moving episode is ideal listening for football and history lovers alike and signals the start of Heroes & Humans’ Christmas break. Thank you for listening to our episodes in 2024. It's been a true pleasure to see how football has united so many listeners across the globe.

Time stamps:

0:43: Setting the scene, 1914

6:30: Christmas Eve, 1914

11:25: How football united the warring sides

17:47: Was there just one Christmas truce match?

22:50: Were there any more sporting truces?

27:31: A gender revolution and the early rise of women’s football

31:05: Battle of the Somme and the end of the Great War

37:30: The legacy of the First World War, 110 years later

41:42: Reflections on today’s wars and conflicts (e.g., Russia-Ukraine)

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