- Our U12s will take part in the Truce Tournament finals this weekend
- The finals take place in Ypres, Belgium to mark the Christmas Day truce between English and German soldiers
- Coach Dave Johnson said qualification was a massive achievement for the team
West Ham United’s U12s will compete in the finals of the Truce Tournament, which takes place this weekend in Ypres, Belgium.
The tournament forms part of the Premier League’s ‘Football Remembers’ initiative and will mark the Christmas Day truce between English and German soldiers who famously played football in no man’s land during the First World War.
The young Hammers made it through to the finals by virtue of qualifying from the regional qualifiers that took place at Aldershot Army Garrison on Remembrance Sunday.
“The day for us was an educational experience. Before the tournament, the players were educated on why the tournament was taking place and who were we remembering,” said U12 coach Dave Johnson.
“Some of our players were born in 2004 and were remembering players from a long time ago. It was really important that they had an understanding of what Remembrance Sunday was and how it affected our club. The remembrance of the players was very important to us.”
The qualifiers were hotly contested, with the Hammers drawn in the same group as Chelsea, Everton, Reading and Derby County.
The young Irons made light work of their opponents though and eased through to the final by winning all of their matches.
That set up a final with Swansea City but the Hammers yet again showed their quality by beating their Welsh opponents and in the process, set up the trip to Belgium this weekend.
The tournament begins on December 9 and West Ham are one of just four English sides making the trip, along with Manchester City, Crystal Palace and Blackburn Rovers. They’ll be coming up against the likes of Anderlecht, Club Brugge, Schalke and Paris Saint-Germain.
“It was a really good achievement and we only conceded two goals across the regional qualification tournament,” continued Johnson.
“It’s a massive achievement for the boys. All the Premier League clubs take part in qualifying for this tournament so to be one of four clubs to qualifying for the finals is huge.
“We run over 40 tournaments for our Academy players so they can get different European experience so the event will supplement our tour programme."