Great War and associations with Leicester City

[Robin JD Popley]

Hi All.

 

I just want to start this post by saying how thank you will never be enough for the selflessness of every man, woman and animal who gave their all and in a lot of circumstances, paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms today.

 

I will also go on record to say that, despite not always seeing eye to eye in recent history, I think Watford have done a very fitting thing by creating an away shirt to mark this commemorative period and hope we may follow suit in our away or third kits.

 

However, if that is not forthcoming, I also feel the club need to do something to mark these four years and the interwar years are not necessarily highlighted around our club like others. We know we changed our name from Fosse to City in 1919 but perhaps a special exhibition or something may be a good idea?

 

Would love your thoughts on this and would also like to hear if you a) know more about our interwar years from researching and b) if you are doing anything in relation to the centenary.

[Voll Blau]

We wore blue and white shirts in the years after the First World War owing to a shortage of blue dye.

 

Not sure how to feel about the idea of commemorating it with a replica strip though, feels a bit like taking advantage of one of humanity's greatest tragedies.

[Harry - LCFC]

Extra effort for the remembrance fixture would be sufficient in my view.

 

Designing a kit differently isn't necessary and doesn't fit with the values that the war was fought for - to live our lives how we want to. We shouldn't be required to organise aspects of our life around it and that includes our football clubs.

 

The most important thing is to remember what happened and why it matters, not to show others how much you care.

[DEMANN]

War and football doesn't mix. No glory in pointless, wanton slaughter. See current events in Gaza.

[broughtonblue]

War and football doesn't mix. No glory in pointless, wanton slaughter. See current events in Gaza.

They did on that Christmas morning!!

[DEMANN]

They had to call a truce though to play it.

[Finnaldo]

War and football doesn't mix. No glory in pointless, wanton slaughter. See current events in Gaza.

It's not glorifying war. It's commemorating those who were either coaxed or conscripted into fighting in one of the most horrific wars humanity has seen.

[DEMANN]

I'd say it's glorifying those who took part in a pointless, murderous campaign with no positive outcome, and left countless millions with shattered lives. Hundred years ago anyway...Long time...We don't commemorate Waterloo or Agincourt do we?

[Blanesta]

I'd say it's glorifying those who took part in a pointless, murderous campaign with no positive outcome, and left countless millions with shattered lives. Hundred years ago anyway...Long time...We don't commemorate Waterloo or Agincourt do we?

 

 

It's not glorifying anything it's simply paying respects to young men who didn't have a choice about fighting, people who sacrificed everything for the future safety of our nation, And if they'd stopped fighting they would have been shot for deserting.

[David Lowe]

In 1914 we lost 7-2 at Leeds. We got revenge in the return fixture with a 5-1 victory.

[davieG]

Extra effort for the remembrance fixture would be sufficient in my view.

 

Designing a kit differently isn't necessary and doesn't fit with the values that the war was fought for - to live our lives how we want to. We shouldn't be required to organise aspects of our life around it and that includes our football clubs.

 

The most important thing is to remember what happened and why it matters, not to show others how much you care.

 

 

It's not glorifying anything it's simply paying respects to young men who didn't have a choice about fighting, people who sacrificed everything for the future safety of our nation, And if they'd stopped fighting they would have been shot for deserting.

I'm not sure you can say this is the case it's very complex and there are many different views as to why.

 

 

 

The Great War lasted from 1914-18. It was the most destructive war that had ever been fought. Ever since 1914, politicians and historians have been arguing about why the war started.

There is another important question about the start of the war. When war broke out in August 1914, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia and France were all bound by their commitments to their allies. They had to go to war. Britain was not in that position. Despite this, Britain decided to join in the war on the side of Russia and France.

 

 

 

[TrentFox]

I'd say it's glorifying those who took part in a pointless, murderous campaign with no positive outcome, and left countless millions with shattered lives. Hundred years ago anyway...Long time...We don't commemorate Waterloo or Agincourt do we?

Totally respect your point of view. But what a pity you appear not to have the good grace to afford the same respect to those people who, irrespective of any of our own personal opinions of war and its rights and wrongs, gave their lives so that you could so freely express your personal opinions and condemnation of their actions.

[DEMANN]

Totally respect your point of view. But what a pity you appear not to have the good grace to afford the same respect to those people who, irrespective of any of our own personal opinions of war and its rights and wrongs, gave their lives so that you could so freely express your personal opinions and condemnation of their actions.

Thank you...No-one fought, or gave their life so I could freely express my opinions...That freedom wasn't in doubt in 1914 ..and isn't now (unless I get banned). I only have respect for two-footed players and good headers of the ball.

[Blanesta]

I'm not sure you can say this is the case it's very complex and there are many different views as to why.

 

 

You're right it was a very complex situation, I was over generalising with that part. 

[Finnaldo]

Thank you...No-one fought, or gave their life so I could freely express my opinions...That freedom wasn't in doubt in 1914 ..and isn't now (unless I get banned). I only have respect for two-footed players and good headers of the ball.

Well actually, it was because the soldiers that fought were away for over 3 years meant they couldn't vote, so the laws were changed to accommodate all men over 18 and women over 30, who were also allowed in public office for the first time. So yes they did have an impact on your liberties.

[DEMANN]

Well actually, it was because the soldiers that fought were away for over 3 years meant they couldn't vote, so the laws were changed to accommodate all men over 18 and women over 30, who were also allowed in public office for the first time. So yes they did have an impact on your liberties.

....That was a consequence of the war..Not a reason for fighting it...Anyway, I've never voted...Not even for Goal Of The Month.

[bovril]

I think we should quietly and tastefully remember WWI as a pointless and horrific tragedy, and I find it quite distasteful that Europe's politicians and royals give long-winded speeches on this day. Anyway, just my opinion, and in no way to disrespect those who died. Lest we forget.

[Robin JD Popley]

Thank you for all your comments thus far, I have found them all very interesting and as I have found with a lot of people I have spoken to about it (WW1) in general, there is a real debate over how is best to commemorate.

 

Also, thanks to David who gave the results against Leeds and Voll re kit colours.

[jonthefox]

This is Portsmouth shirt for next season. Its the one they wore at the time of the great war and features the names of Portsmouth folk who served.

 

Nice touch.

 

 

 

[Harry - LCFC]

I'm not sure you can say this is the case it's very complex and there are many different views as to why.

 

German imperialism would've been a very bad thing for Europe. If not our freedom we helped protect then certainly that of others.

 

Either way I still insist it's not necessary to change parts of our day to day life as a show of respect. A short period of silence has and always will be more poignant.

[bovril]

German imperialism would've been a very bad thing for Europe. If not our freedom we helped protect then certainly that of others.

 

Either way I still insist it's not necessary to change parts of our day to day life as a show of respect. A short period of silence has and always will be more poignant.

 

Better than Nazism and Communism that followed. No way of knowing though, is there? So we could debate until we're blue in the face.

Agree with the second point.

[Mark_w]

German imperialism would've been a very bad thing for Europe. If not our freedom we helped protect then certainly that of others.

 

I think Britain was interested in protecting British imperialism rather than world freedom.

[reynard]

I think Britain was interested in protecting British imperialism rather than world freedom.

 

Of course it was. As was Germany, Russia and Ausria/Hungary.  However, those saying it was pointless are probably wide of the mark and certainly the vast majority of those fighting in it on both sides did not think this.

 

The question of how it should be commemorated is a tricky one. For those against commercial exploitation then what about all the countless books published since the end of the war, many written by serving soldiers, airmen and sailors? All published in the hope of making some money.

 

Personally I prefer quietness and solitude to relfect on it and don't need a shirt etc etc but I'm not against those that do. I have been priveliged to have met and interived several veterans of WWI and without exception I recall their utter humility and the dignity with which they spoke about their experiences. Not one of them thought their endeavours to be pointless and all that many of them hoped for was that their comrades who were not lucky enough to survive would be remembered for their sacrifice by future generations. At the same time they respected those that did not want to do this.

[Mark_w]

Of course it was. As was Germany, Russia and Ausria/Hungary.  However, those saying it was pointless are probably wide of the mark and certainly the vast majority of those fighting in it on both sides did not think this.

 

The question of how it should be commemorated is a tricky one. For those against commercial exploitation then what about all the countless books published since the end of the war, many written by serving soldiers, airmen and sailors? All published in the hope of making some money.

 

Personally I prefer quietness and solitude to relfect on it and don't need a shirt etc etc but I'm not against those that do. I have been priveliged to have met and interived several veterans of WWI and without exception I recall their utter humility and the dignity with which they spoke about their experiences. Not one of them thought their endeavours to be pointless and all that many of them hoped for was that their comrades who were not lucky enough to survive would be remembered for their sacrifice by future generations. At the same time they respected those that did not want to do this.

 

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the world wars were pointless. But I don't think it's right to say that Britain was intentionally protecting people's freedom by stopping German imperialism, as Harry seems to be suggesting. It felt to me like Harry was painting the first world war as a good act on the part of Britain and I really disagree with that.

 

I don't think there's any better way of commemorating the people involved in WW1 who deserve to be commemorated (and that's certainly not everyone who fought - nor is it exclusively people who fought IMO) than to think about them and the things they went through. If dimming the lights or wearing a t-shirt prompts people to do that then great.