Saturday 9th October, 2021,
First Half Kick -off 8am. Market Road Football Pitches, Islington, London
The unique charity football game played at Market Road Football Pitches, Islington, London, raised money for children to attend the 2022 Global Peace Games. The game featured supporters of the children’s charity, The National Children’s Football Alliance (NCFA). Arsenal Community’s Dean Miller, said, ‘we enjoyed the game in the knowledge that it was raising funds for a great cause‘.
The first half was kicked off by the Lord Mayor of Islington, Troy Gallagher, he said, ‘the game was clearly played in the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship. I was delighted to support this very special football game and to help raise money for children to attend the 2022 Global Peace Games‘.
Lord Mayor of Islington, Troy Gallagher (center) with the Peace Poppy Football, which was taken by the players to The LAST POST, Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium.
Charlie and Daisy Cooper, writers and actors, of the hit BBC Bafta Award winning comedy series This Country, are Patrons The NCFA. Daisy said, ‘ I wished all the players well in the game and look after my old dad, he’s playing in goal‘, her brother Charlie (left, in white) played a commanding role as an attacking midfielder.
The first half score was a tight 4-1 to This Country, or was it That Country?
The signing of the Peace Poppy Football, facilitated by Tom Watt, was signed by all the players.
Saturday 9th October, 2021,
Second Half Kick-off 4pm The Peace Pitch, The Peace Village, Flanders Peace Fields
The second half featured NCFA supporters and players from FC Bruges. The players held aloft the latest Peace Field Project Plaques to be added to the Peace Pitch in Flanders Peace Field:
Elementary school Veli Veli Vrh Pula, Croatia, Hollandia Soccer Club, Saskatoon, Canada, Kowloon Cricket Club, Hong Kong, The Perez Centre, Israel, Dennis Law Legacy Trust, Aberdeen, Scotland and Duncan Edwards Tribute, Dudley.
Captains, Axel (blue) and Ross (white), exchange gifts before the second half kick-off. Retired FC Bruges football coach, Philippe Servias (centre) said, ‘I have never witnessed a game of football where the first half kicked off in That Country and the second half kick-off in This Country and all for a good cause, children celebrating peace through football‘.
The game was played on the Peace Pitch in Flanders Fields, Mesen, Belgium, site of the 1914 First World War, Christmas Truces. Played under the shadow of the Island of Ireland Peace Tower where over 200,000 soldiers are commemorated.
Paul Cooper, Director and Co-founder of the NCFA, said, ‘It was such a memorable day. The football was great, the players were fantastic and the sun never stopped shining in both countries. All the monies raised will go to the 2022 Global Peace Games. We would like to thank everyone that sponsored TCvTC and all the people that made it happen from Market Road Football Pitches, Islington to The Peace Village, Mesen, Belguim.‘.
‘All Together Now’
Match referee in This Country and That Country, Roland Watt, proudly laid the Peace Poppy Football at The Last Post, Menin Gate, Ypres, Belguim. Roland, said, ‘It was an honour and a memory that I will hold dearly‘.
GRAND TOTAL RAISED FOR THE 2022 GLOBAL PEACE GAMES
£7864.00
THANK YOU