NOW YOU SEE THEM, NOW YOU DON'T

Alright, alright; this is the last of the "Truce" Blogs, but it was such a momentous occasion in a horrible war, that it has to be celebrated. In Aldershot last night, at the Town Football Club, set on the edge of the dying garrison town in Hampshire, The Royal band of the Royal Logistics Corps marched on the pitch, playing "Thriller". Greg Dyke, on behalf of the FA, turned up along with Bobby Charlton (who did National Service) and Army Chief General Sir Nicholas Carter, the ceremonial party met with both teams, British Army and the German Bundeswehr. Silent Night was sung with alternate verses in English and German, midst a crowd of just over 2500.

The British Army took the lead after three minutes when Lance Corporal Calum Wilkinson pounced on a rebound from the German goalie and that was how the score ended up. The Brits should have won by more but the German goalkeeper, Corporal Andreas Forster (sounds very British to me?), had a very decent game (apart from the early mishandling). Despite the early set back, the German team had some moments, including hitting the bar in the 90th minute. The team sheet included name, rank and number and the crowd chanting "red army" really meant it. Behind one goal, a crowd of British soldiers were in camouflage dress and couldn't be seen in the darkness of the stand-eery.

So the game happened, the moment was savoured by all those there and like the real thing the British won, just.