Commentary on War and Football from Surrey Comet dated 5th September 1914

WAR AND FOOTBALL. Many Players Enlisting in Kitchener's Army. Which is it to be?- Your Country or Sport ? "Are we going to play this season or not?" Where footballers congregate this question is the first one hears, and there is only one answer so far as one phase of it is concerned. The Englishman who is really an Englishman says, "if by personal service, or in any other way whatsoever, I can perform any duty for the state at this crisis, let me think of that, and that only." This is the spirit which will animate the Surrey man, as it has done in other counties. Britons proclaim they never will be slaves- let them beware lest they sink to the position of being slaves of sport. In happier times they will play the game with greater heartiness for having performed the simple but obvious duty, of putting country first. A representative of the "Surrey Comet" has been in touch with a number of clubs in this district concerning their course of action. In many cases the clubs have not yet held their annual general meetings, those generally being deferred until the county authority's assembly has taken place, and it is with some surprise one notes this has not been put forward by so much as one day. It does not take place until the 16th inst. However, the position already has been decided for some clubs. "We are in the big game now," they say, "and not half we shan't get some goals in Berlin." The pride of patriotism rings sharp and clear in this statement. There is no thought of a League cup, or being well up in the first, second or third division. They are in the "big game" now. And none more so than the Oxshott. F.C., with fifteen playing members and five committee-men serving the King! At Claygate and Esher there will be no organised football. At Kingston the position of the oldest club in the borough has yet to be defined. As has been said - the pity it should be so! - so much depends on the lead of the Surrey F.A. Why does Kingston not give Surrey a patriotic lead? The Old Kingstonians president, Mr. D. Judd. says that every encouragement has been given to those associated with the club to join the Army, and several of the better known players have done so. Mr. Judd says football at Norbiton will continue as usual because "it will take people's thoughts off the gloom of the period," and he does not think those who can neither fight for the King nor undertake any other service are less patriotic because they take a little recreation by watching a football match. Mr. Judd would do better to turn his ground into a drill-ground. That would help to avert "the gloom" of national disaster. No matches will he played by Surbiton Hill F.C., nor by any other club in this district which has hitherto played under the control of the A.F.A. Surbiton W.M.C. and Tolworth Old Boys will not take part in the Kingston and District League competition, and this applies also to Kingston St. Luke's F.C., Depot East Surrey Regt., and Hampton Court Palace. F.C. Teddington have cancelled the fixture arranged for to-day, and a meeting is being called to consider the position. Teddington Primrose F.C., a Wednesday club, being strongly of the opinion that this is no time for football, have scratched all matches. The two Kingston Leagues, Saturday and Wednesday, will have many clubs missing from their ranks, but it has been decided that the competitions shall continue. So it is said. But what about their supporters. What do they think? See report in original format.