DUNCAN EDWARDS PEACE FIELD

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE THAT CELEBRATED PEACE AT

THE DUNCAN EDWARDS PEACE FIELD FESTIVAL PEACE GAMES.

Carl Ashord writes: Thank you very much, the lads and I all thoroughly enjoyed the day, and there was some fantastic football played by all of the teams present.

The final was very competitive and perfectly showcased the local talent around in youth grassroots football. The equalising goal in the final was a thing of beauty! We were delighted to come out on top in a tense penalty shootout at the end.

My team has been honoured to represent George Best in the last two Duncan Edwards Peacefield Festivals, and Banbury Irish as a club would like to thank you for inviting us along for such a great occassion and prestigious event.

Jude evokes spirit of Duncan Edwards

Jude evokes spirit of Duncan Edwards in dazzling England display. Following his man of the match performance for England in their emphatic 6-2 victory over Iran at the World Cup Finals in Qatar on Monday, 19-year-old Jude Bellingham is putting the football spotlight firmly back on the Black Country for the first time in more than 60 years by reviving memories of the great Duncan Edwards.
Black Country boys Bellingham and Edwards made their full international debuts for England at Wembley in their teens 65 years apart.

Edwards was 18 when he scored for England in a 7-2 win over Scotland in 1955 and Bellingham was a year younger at 17 when he scored for England as they ran out 3-0 winners against Northern Ireland at Wembley in November 2020.

Both players served their football apprenticeships in the Black Country with Duncan playing for Dudley Boys and Worcestershire Boys while Jude spent his early years playing for Stourbridge. Their football careers then followed identical routes as they were each selected to play for England at every level from schoolboy to full international.

Edwards signed for Manchester United in 1952 and was regarded as one of the greatest footballers in the world before his death following the Munich air disaster in February 1958.

Bellingham joined Birmingham City at under-eights level after leaving Stourbridge and played in the under-23 team at the age of 15. He made his first team debut against Portsmouth in August 2019, becoming City’s youngest ever first-team player, and made 41 first team appearances before signing for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga in July 2020. To date, he has scored 19 goals and become one of the most talked about talents in world football.

Jim Cadman, chairman of Duncan Edwards United, said: “We would like to thank Jude for supporting the Duncan Edwards Peace Field at the Dell Stadium in Dudley by donating a signed Borussia Dortmund shirt for our fundraising.

“This ongoing project involves football pitches all over the world being twinned with the site of the iconic 1914 Christmas Truce football match in Belgium in World War One.”

The shirt signed by Bellingham will be auctioned along with the original artwork of the ‘Black County Boys – White England Shirt Portrait’ by Black Country-based graphic artist Paul Burns at the Duncan Edwards 65th Anniversary Memorial Dinner at the Copthorne Hotel, Dudley, on Tuesday, February 21 2023.

FURTHER INFO – Jim Cadman – M 07971 624627 Email jwc@duncanedwardsunited.com

WEBSITE – www.duncanedwardsunited.com

FOOTBALL LEGENDS SET TO SIGN FOR DUNCAN

At the Memories and Memorabilia Football Fair

Football Legends will be out in force at the Memories and Memorabilia Football Fair at the Copthorne Hotel in Dudley on Sunday, November 13^th – signing autographs and posing for photographs for visitors with full size replicas of the trophies that they won – the FA Cup and the European Champions Cup.

The Legends include Aston Villa’s First Division Champions and 1982 European Cup Winners, Captain Dennis Mortimer, Tony Morley and Colin Gibson – who also played for Manchester United

Dave Bennett – who was the first black player to appear at Wembley in an FA Cup Final for Manchester City in 1981 and returned to Wembley with Coventry City in 1987 to win an FA Cup Winners Medal  as they beat Spurs 3 -2.

Jim McCalliog – (Scotland International)a member of the Wolves team in the Final of the UEFA Cup in 1972 in the Manchester United Squad that won the Second Division Championship in 1975 winner of an FA Cup Winners Medal in 1976 with Southampton.

Bob Taylor –One of West Bromwich Albion’s greatest ever strikers – ‘Super Bob’ scored 113 goals in 324 appearances for the Baggies in two at the Hawthorns between 1992 and 2003

Roy of the Rovers – will be at the Fair in ‘Comic Strip’ form to celebrate his 65^th Anniversary with his with his creator – the international sports artist – Paul Trevillion.

Jim Cadman, chairman of Duncan Edwards United said:

“We are honoured that these players are being linked with our project, which involves football pitches all over the world being twinned with the iconic 1914 Christmas Truce football match on Flanders Field in Belgium in World War One.”

Running from 10am to 4pm, the event will showcase an extensive range of vintage football memorabilia presented by some of the country’s top dealers and collectors.

Admission for Adults is £10 with children under 16 FREE and includes free autographs and photographs with guest players who will pose with visitors holding full size replicas of the FA Cup, the European Cup and the World Cup trophy.

ALL PROFITS FROM THIS EVENT WILL GO TO THE DUNCAN EDWARDS PEACE FIELD PROJECT

20/06/22

All of the great teams want to play on the Duncan Edwards Peace Field Pitch.

Following the appearance of the Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Centre Team in the Semi Finals of the Duncan Edwards Peace Field Festival – the Italian National Team trained on the pitch before their International Match against England at Molineux

Duncan Edwards Peace Field Festival on Sunday 22 May 2022

The Aston Villa legend holding a picture of Dudley’s son and Manchester United Legend.  Denis Mortimer (left) holding the Duncan Edwards Peace Field poster.  The first ever Duncan Edwards Peace Field Festival was the venue where Jim Cadman, Duncan Edwards Tribute (right) passed the Peace Poppy Ball to Pete Mason representing the Sir Tom Finney Peace Field Project.

‘The Children’s Football Alliance are very proud to have such formidable football legends Duncan Edwards and Sir Tom Finney joining the International Peace Fields Project.  Their legacy continues to inspire their communities through the essence of the game so clearly defined at the 1914 First World War Christmas truces’. Mick Gale, International Children’s Football Alliance, Peace Field Project Ambassador

PRESS RELEASE 

PROGRAMME

05/05/22

26/04/22.

Denis Law Legacy Trust have very kindly sent some shirts for the team that will be representing the Trust at the Duncan Edwards Peace Games Sunday 22nd May, 2022.  The games are set to add to the legacy of the legendary footballers.

04/04/22. By Jim Cadman.

Our first get together at the Duncan Edwards Peace Field Site was a great success and it was good  to see how many young people attended the photo shoot in their football kit.

We are very proud to be working with The Stourbridge District Youth League, who have 6,550 registered players at 99 clubs with 550 boys’ teams and 70 girls’ teams.

The Duncan Peace Field Pitch will be available to teams and groups of mixed gender and diversity that represent communities across all demographics in Dudley, Stourbridge, Worcester, Kinver, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Gornal, Halesowen, Sedgley, Netherton.

We have had a wonderful response to the Duncan Edwards Peace Field Site  – and in these troubled times it is an honour to be actively involved in a football project that celebrates the ethos of peace through play.

DUCAN EDWARDS PEACE FIELD

A Duncan Edwards Peace Field Plaque was unveiled at the Dell Stadium in Brierley Hill, Dudley on Thursday, 11 November 2021.  The site is now twinned with Flanders Peace Field in Mesen, Belgium, site of the First World War, 1914 Christmas truces.

In the week leading up to Christmas 1914, German, British and allied soldiers stopped fighting to sing festive songs. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, some ventured into no man’s land to exchange gifts and to play games of football. Today the truce is remembered as a symbolic moment of peace and humanity.

The Black Country’s most famous footballing son, Duncan Edwards uncle Private Sidney Edwards,, served in the 9^th Worcester Battalion during World War One and was killed in 1917 in Kut al-Amara, Mesopotamia, now part of Iraq. He is remembered on the Dudley World War One Memorial.

As part of an initiative by the National Children’s Football Alliance, there are 41 peace pitches across five continents in countries including the USA, Argentina, Ghana, Israel and Australia.

The football pitch at the Bryce Road site was officially declared the Duncan Edwards Peace Field as civic dignitaries, former team mates of Duncan, and ex Aston Villa European Cup Winner Tony Morley were in attendance.

Councillor Steve Clark, said, ‘ The Duncan Edwards Peace Field is a wonderful initiative and sobering reminder to us all of the sacrifaces made for our freedom, as well as a tribute to Dudley’s most famous footballing son’.

Jim Cadman, of the Duncan Edwards Tribute, said, ‘The positive response to our plans for the Duncan Edwards Peace Field Project has been remarkable’. ‘It will now provide a strong platform to promote the football heritage of Duncan Edwards – and link his birth place of Dudley with some of the greatest cities of the world.’

Paul Cooper, Director, National Children’s Football Alliance, said, ‘It is a great honour to be here today.  Duncan Edwards legacy is here for young people to learn about the power of football and how it brings us all togeth

Sport continues to unite people today on the Cruyff Court Denis Law just as it did on Christmas day in 1914 on Flanders Peace Field. Aberdeen is home to one of Scotland’s greatest ever footballers, Denis Law, as well as the Gordon Highlanders, some of whom took part in the Christmas day truces. It is therefore appropriate that these two play areas twin with each other for the next generation to reflect and learn about why we commemorate wars and celebrate peace, on Scotland’s first ever peace pitch.   The opportunity to bring different age groups and cultures closer together, through peace games, tournaments and festivals, will be the continued purpose of Aberdeen’s Peace Pitch.

The event started with games of football, hockey and tennis.  A local resident commented, ‘it’s wonderful to see the court used so often.  It is very popular and its alway lovely to hear the kids play.  I live in the high raised flats overlooking the pitch.  It’s great to have Aberdeen’s Denis Law here today.  He truly is Mr Aberdeen.  Thank you for our Peace Pitch, Denis.

The ceremony, which Denis Law CBE himself attended, included speeches from each partner, the Gordon Highlander pipers and a formal blessing of the Cruyff Court from Callum Shinnie from Kings Community Church. Jim Clark, chairman, from the Legion Scotland Aberdeen Branch.

22 pupils, two from each academy school in Aberdeen, then presented the poem “In Flanders Field” on the Cruyff Court before a Peace Pledge, which they contributed towards, was officially signed to create a lasting and impactful legacy.

Aberdeen City Council Leader, Councillor Jenny Laing said: “Aberdeen City Council is very pleased to be working in partnership with the Denis Law Legacy Trust, National Children’s Football Alliance and the Peace Fields Project to offer our young people the chance to be part of such an inspiring initiative.

“While there is often great rivalry in sport, history has taught us that sport is a great way to bridge the divides and bring people together.

“By participation in the Peace Fields Project and drawing up their Peace Pledge young people from schools across the city have come together to speak with one voice. Through the Pledge they have highlighted the importance of having safe and welcoming spaces where young people from different communities and backgrounds can come together and enjoy physical activity in a peaceful way.

“The council intends to use this project as a catalyst to ensure other areas of the city are just as inclusive, safe and peaceful.”

Erne Brennan, CEO, National Children’s Football Alliance, said, ‘The first peace pitch in Scotland is testament to the Denis Law Legacy Trust and Aberdeen City Council, for having the foresight and vision to help connect young people through play, with commemorating war and celebrating peace.

Mark Williams, Chief Operating officer, Denis Law Legacy Trust, said: “The force for good that sport can bring to young people around the globe is well versed and we’re delighted to be forming a partnership with NCF and the Peace Fields Project to further enhance this.

“The twinning of Cruyff Court Denis Law and the Flanders Peace Field will help to educate school children across Aberdeen and lead to exchange trips between the two sites. Thanks to all of our partners involved and also to Catherine Street Community Centre and Aramark for their valuable contributions.”

‘The twinning ceremony was fantastic’, said Alistar Findlater, Trustee, Denis Law Legach Trust.  ‘On behalf of the DLLT, it was truly a great honour to sign the Peace Field Project’s Declaration for Peace.  I have visited the Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium and I take the role as a Peace Field Ambassador with a great sense of pride.  The historic connections between Aberdeen and The First World War are well documented.  Our generation are in a position to keep commemorations alive – ‘We will remember them.’  It was wonderful to see many young people and such diversity, young and old, present at the ceremony.  The Gordon Highlanders added too some great speeches and to the children who read out their Peace Pledge (see bottom of page).  Along with the children reciting the John McCrae’s poem, In Flanders Field (see bottom of page).  The presence of the British Legion was emotional for many that witnessed the Last Post.’

Author of ‘A DENIS LAW SCRAPBOOK‘ and long-time friend Douglas Graham, said, ‘it was a wonderful ceremony and clearly enjoyed by everyone that attended.  The first peace pitch in Scotland is a legacy to the great man Denis Law for which generations of young people can celebrate peace through play’.

THE PEACE PLEDGE

Written by Children & Young People of Aberdeen

People fallen assured our peace, to keep their legacy alive on our streets,

Here we rise for the future of Aberdeen, building a city that is thriving and green.

Embracing each other no matter who we are, building friendships from near and far,

Regardless of our difference, we share this together, building hope for now and forever

Affirmed in our hearts are the tales of the brave, giving us hope for the future we pave,

the brave that brought freedom and fighting to cease, we are the brave that can now bring us peace

Community gardens will join us together, providing safe places to challenge each other

To challenge ourselves through physical fun, places where we can finally be one

Establishing equilibrium to balance the world, between carbon intake and emissions unfurled,

Using and protecting our green nation, building a safe environment for future generations

Persevering stoically through the fields, you wrapped us in protection like a shield,

We thank you for your sacrifice and our future you revealed, linking past and present, helping us to heal

Let’s light up the fields so we’re safe as we go, light up the fields to make poppies grow,

Light up the fields to lead the way, to give the younger generation the freedom to play

Enriching our lives with space for me and you, not forgetting the past but pushing on through,

Outdoors will help our peace of mind, to meet without prejudice and strive to be kind

Deliver community trust for us all, providing support which impacts us all,

Upgrading and caring for outdoor spaces together, places to be in, no matter the weather

Grow fields of peace and let them remain green, making the most of our City Aberdeen,

Building communities where people can give, making the most of the place where we live

Every child deserves a space to be free, to interact with others, a place for you and me

Through interests and sports help this pledge come alive, help us to grow and help us to thrive!

In Flanders Fields

By John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

For more information about A Denis Law Scrapbook email: djcagraham@gmail.com