Our Academy Under-12s were one of three chosen from 25 entries as winners of the Premier League’s Christmas Truce education project.
The project was around the famed football match on Christmas Day, 1914, as the boys delved deeper into the lives of the men and women who cared for the wounded and dying during the First World War.
Whilst examining doctors, nurses, ambulance corps and the British Red Cross, their main source of inspiration came from Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae and the medical volunteers who risked their lives so that we might have a better tomorrow. Celebrating his well-known poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ our U12s were tasked with creating their own piece of war-inspired literature as well as designing their own poppy. These poppies were then amalgamated into one 'Spirit of Teesside’ poppy.
To commemorate McCrae and the medical volunteers, the youngsters put together a service of remembrance at a local Mosque, Jamia Masjid Al-Madina, which was held in October. Two of our U12s also took part in a radio interview to explain why they were putting on the service whilst also inviting everyone from Middlesbrough to come and join in. Interviews with club doctors were conducted by our young footballers as they tried to imagine themselves as medical professionals during the difficulties of war.
A second remembrance service was held at Rockliffe Park with MFC Academy Staff, representatives of the Green Howards Regiment, Lt Daniel Weldon, from the 16 Air Assault Brigade, members of the Boro medical team as well as first team staff and players all in attendance.
During our dedicated first team remembrance fixture, four of our U12s placed two wreaths on the pitch prior to kick-off with the remainder of the side handing out ‘The Spirit of Teesside’ poppies to Boro supporters in the Generation Red Family Zone.
All of the above was judged by the panel as an exceptional entry and led to the boys being named worthy winners. The U12 group will take part in an educational visit to Ypres as well as play a part in a football tournament with a host of teams from across Europe.