ITS WAR TIME LEAGUES BUT NOT AGAINST COVID

https://thefootballfaithful.com/10-of-the-most-iconic-commentary-moments-in-football-history/ 

I hope you were able to watch and enjoy the "iconic moments" video? If it didn't work please let me know.

AND NOW TO WAR: On 22nd April 1944 at Hampden Park, England played Scotland in a War time international and won 3-2. Tommy Lawton scored twice for England and Raich Carter completed the three. Caskie and Ephrain Jock Dodds scored for Scotland.133,000 attended. 

The England team was: Swift, L. Compton, Taylor, Soo, Cullis (c), Mercer. Matthews, Carter, Lawtonj, Hagan and L.Smith. You should know most of these names.  Remember Frank Soo? See previous blog?https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3994718670252035536/4953536323702164062?hl=en-GB

League football had vanished during the Second World War. There were a series of regional leagues set up by the FA and clubs promised to use the "guesting" system sensibly, using players stationed for the War nearby, when ever they were available. Travel was minimised, resources not drained and some clubs had "stars" turning out for them on a Saturday with other First Division clubs scratching around to complete a team. (I have to say, even at Hepworth United FC, the clib is scracthing around to complete teams playing on a Saturday, carryng competition through the COVID "Limitations". )After "season one" the ten-league regional system was scratched and the nations clubs split into two (north and south) operating until 1945.

Actually rather like today (almost), a group of London and Southern clubs broke away from this arrangement in 1941/2, forming their own London League.

Fot the professionals in War Time football, there was a regulated fee 30 shillings (for those not historic the shilling was £1/20....today the equivalent is 5p! One or two players auctioned themselves to the highest bidder!

International football continued to raise spirits, but only involving the Home countries. Paper was in short supply so newsprint was scarce. The war cut many careers of course with Tom Cooper. a full back from Liverpool, who had played for England, being killed in action. In all, 70 and more professionals lost their lives in action. Youthful players never got to show off their talents and many grounds were devastated by war time bombing. In 1946, there was much excitement when normality arrived.