Fulham's Under-12s have fully embraced this year’s Truce Cup Challenge set by the Premier League. The challenge sees clubs from all over the country work to understand and celebrate the meaning and spirit of the 1914 ceasefire, where soldiers stopped to play football with one another.
This year the Christmas Truce challenge marks Windrush75, and delves into the life of Walter Tull who was an early black British Officer and black footballer who played for clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur. Walter presents a powerful example of the contribution of the Caribbean community to the UK.
The Under-12 players, their families and staff took on a live action research adventure to the Black British Archives in Windrush square, Brixton.
They engaged in lively conversation and went away to carry out their own research and compose their own pieces of creative writing. Their findings were then presented to Delano McCoy-Splatt (Under-21 midfielder), Matthew Briggs (former Fulham player and Guana captain) and Jamie Dapaah (EDI Lead). With his powerful poem, Finn Edmonds won the coveted Black British History book which was signed by Bobby De Cordova-Reid.
The Under-12 players also held a Celebration of Caribbean Culture morning at our very own training ground. The event saw our community members from the Fulham FC Foundation welcomed by the young players, as well as invited members from SACCO (Sutton African and Caribbean Cultural Organisation) and players from our Men's First Team.
Being a part of a Caribbean culture feels nice and I'm delighted to be here listening to what the guys have to say. Within football, education is key so keep going and working hard.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid
The Under-12s have fostered a new relationship with SACCO and Fulham FC with the Chair and leader of the organisation, Sophie Gaskin, adding: "It was wonderful to see all the hard work that the boys did in relation to the project and I cannot wait to see what they come up with next year."
The group were welcomed in by the melodic tunes of traditional Caribbean music through a live steel band, and were treated to some traditional Caribbean food.
The event saw different generations, cultures and backgrounds discuss and share stories about how Caribbean culture and the Windrush generation has impacted their own lives. The celebration saw our Fulham community come together for a really special event and mark the legacy of Windrush75.
