Football and War: The Army FA Archive

Join our panel of experts as they discuss the Army Football Association Archive and explore some of the fascinating items that make up this extraordinary collection.

Football has been a feature of Army life since the  19th century. From kickabouts in military bases around the world, to helping establish the professional game we know today, the British Army and its soldiers have long been passionate about the sport.

The history of this iconic pastime has been tracked and carefully documented in the Army FA Archive. First formed in 1888, the archive hosts a broad collection of material ranging from the founding minute book of 1888 (charting the first Army FA Challenge Cup competition) to personal accounts, ephemera and photos collected by the Army FA over the decades, right up to the present day.

In this insightful discussion, our panel of experts will offer a deep dive into the archive, demonstrating how football has become an integral part of life in the Army. Our panelists will also shed light on some of the hidden stories of service and sporting achievement waiting to be discovered at the National Army Museum’s Templer Study Centre - the new permanent home of the Army FA Archive.

This event is the culmination of our Football and War series, a partnership with the Army Football Association, The Western Front Association and the Football and War Network.

Schedule

• 5.30pm – Doors open
• 6.30pm – Event begins
• 8.00pm – Event ends

About our panel

Hannah Tame

Hannah Tame is Museum Archivist at the National Army Museum. She has been cataloguing the Army FA collection since it was donated at the end of 2023. Hannah has worked with archive collections at organisations such as the British Library, the Church of England and the National Maritime Museum. She has a special interest in oral history collections and highlighting women’s stories from the archive.  

Alex Alexandrou

Alex Alexandrou is a historian and freelance academic and consultant. He is the co-founder and chair of the Football and War Network. Alex is currently the project manager for the Army FA History Heritage Project. He has co-edited two volumes on football fandom entitled, ‘A Football Odyssey: For the Fans by the Fans’.

Gary Sheffield

Professor Gary Sheffield is one of Britain’s leading military historians. He is president of the Western Front Association and has published widely on British military history with a focus on the First and Second World Wars.

About our event partners

Army Football Association

Established in 1888, the Army FA is a county football association with responsibility for clubs, players and referees in the British Army.

Western Front Association

The Western Front Association was formed with the purpose of furthering interest in the First World War of 1914-18. It aims to perpetuate the memory, courage and comradeship of all those who served their countries on all sides.

Football and War Network

The Football and War Network is made up of historians of war with an interest in football, as well as football club historians.