Albion’s Under-12 squad have once again embraced the Premier League’s annual Christmas Truce project — a powerful initiative which encourages young players to understand and reflect on the historic Christmas Truce of World War One.
The Premier League Christmas Truce project gives the players an alternative route to qualify for the Christmas Truce tournament which is held annually in December in Ypres, Belgium.
The project aims to highlight the remarkable moment in 1914 when soldiers from opposing sides laid down their weapons and shared a moment of peace, and it challenges academy players to explore the rich history of footballers who served during the war. For our young Baggies, this year’s theme focused on three key missions: discovering club stories from World War One, remembering and commemorating those involved, as well as engaging with local veterans.
To begin their journey, the boys took part in a series of interactive workshops designed to build their knowledge and inspire meaningful ideas. With guidance from staff, they researched West Bromwich Albion players who served in the Great War, learning about the sacrifices made both on and off the pitch. With support from club historian, Dave Bowler, they unearthed the incredible stories of two former Albion players who bravely took part in the conflict, Harold Bache and Harold White, discovering the bravery, commitment and character shown by those who came before them.
The second mission encouraged remembrance and commemoration, and the U12 group enthusiastically rose to the challenge. The boys designed special commemorative t-shirts to honour the two players they identified through their research, using their creativity to celebrate the legacy of those who served. These thoughtful designs provided a fitting tribute to the individuals who not only represented the club, but also their country during a time of great hardship.
A proud highlight of the project saw the lads head into the community to support the Royal British Legion. The boys volunteered at a poppy stand in Tesco, West Bromwich, engaging with local shoppers, raising awareness, and helping to collect donations for the poppy appeal. Their commitment to representing the club in the community demonstrated maturity and respect, showing that the spirit of togetherness and service remains central to what it means to be part of West Bromwich Albion.
To complete their missions, the U12s hosted a coffee morning with two local military veterans, giving them the chance to listen first-hand to powerful stories of service and sacrifice. The conversation was inspirational, emotional and deeply meaningful for the players, who asked thoughtful questions and showed genuine appreciation for the experiences shared.
Their Truce journey now continues, firstly with a special reading pitchside before the Baggies' Sky Bet Championship clash with Oxford on Saturday afternoon, a reading which will be broadcast on the tannoy at The Hawthorns. They'll also compete in the Premier League Truce qualifiers at RAF Cosford on Sunday. They'll be hoping to secure a place in the finals held in Ypres, Belgium, a setting steeped in wartime history. The academy are extremely proud of the boys’ efforts, and we commend them for representing West Bromwich Albion with such pride and sincerity.
