The north east drops football

July 20, 1915
Long ago and often repeated has been the assertion that we should have football of a sort. The prognostication is now proved true. But what a narrow escape the country has had. Football enthusiasts will never really realise, I fear, the narrow escape. I use the word escape advisedly. It would have been fatal to many interest had football been turned out for the coming season. Tommies ask that we should go on with football there are some wives who will be deeply grateful to find that “the old man’s sport is to be kept up; therefore the old man will not go on the beer o’ Saturdays and spend his money.” Furthermore, the Chief Constables of the large cities – with very few exceptions – will have little work on hand. Had football been “cut” the police forces might have been as overworked as the munitions worker. That Blackburn, Newcastle, Sunderland, and Middlesbrough will not have football is no concern of ours.
They are entitled to their opinion and to their stand. We respect people who have theory. But, sirs, the backbone of the Army is what mayb be termed “football-inclined,” and I say emphatically that we ought to play football for their sakes if for no other.
(Liverpool Echo: July 20, 1915)