Paxman on BBC1 now at Tynecastle

[521buc]

Thirteen players from the greatest team in Hearts history enlisted for duty in the Great War and seven did not come home.


Harry Wattie, Duncan Currie, Ernie Ellis, Jimmy Speedie, Jimmy Body, Tom Gracie and John Allan perished in World War I. Paddy Crossan and Robert Mercer eventually suffered wartime gassing, while Alfie Briggs was crippled in action and unable to play football again. All of them enlisted for duty as Hearts players.

Brave men indeed.

[CB_1874]

When the Celtic team were defending their title, the Hearts team were defending their country. And respect to ALL the players of every club who enlisted, including a couple from Celtic. It was just an amazing act of bravery that the entire Hearts team volunteered.

[Poguemahone]

A bit of a repugnant cheap shot at Celtic from AJ as the Hearts team were unique in British Football in their players sacrifices during WWI...there was no pre-requisite for footballers to sign up but many did from all clubs, as did supporters of all clubs.

[tartanscone1314]

A bit of a repugnant cheap shot at Celtic from AJ as the Hearts team were unique in British Football in their players sacrifices during WWI...there was no pre-requisite for footballers to sign up but many did from all clubs, as did supporters of all clubs.

Not Unique , 7 Raith players also signed up for McCrae`s battalion .



With another 10 players signing up for other Regiments .



3 players Died . - view external link

[Poguemahone]

A bit of a repugnant cheap shot at Celtic from AJ as the Hearts team were unique in British Football in their players sacrifices during WWI...there was no pre-requisite for footballers to sign up but many did from all clubs, as did supporters of all clubs.

Not Unique , 7 Raith players also signed up for McCrae`s battalion .



With another 10 players signing up for other Regiments .



3 players Died .[/quote]

Aye ok Scone but rather than "unique" maybe a better way of putting it would be that no football club sacrificed more than Hearts during WW1 in terms of no of players enlisting and then being tragically killed...I think some of Hibernian's players bravely joined up in McCraes Battalion as well?...must read the book sometime.

I think between them Celtic & Rangers did not have a prominent player in the Army during WW1 and not sure if that was "unique".

An awful war w

[CB_1874]

A bit of a repugnant cheap shot at Celtic from AJ as the Hearts team were unique in British Football in their players sacrifices during WWI...there was no pre-requisite for footballers to sign up but many did from all clubs, as did supporters of all clubs.

I think you need to read my post again, Pogue.

[Poguemahone]

Aye nae bother AJ and apologies if I picked it up all wrong?

[CB_1874]

Aye nae bother AJ and apologies if I picked it up all wrong?

I said Celtic had players who volunteered. It was just unique in our case that every player went to war when we were top of the league.

[Poguemahone]

Aye nae bother AJ and apologies if I picked it up all wrong?

I said Celtic had players who volunteered. It was just unique in our case that every player went to war when we were top of the league.[/quote]

Aye although Scone seems to think it wasn't unique...it certainly was a brave, valiant and heroic effort from the Hearts players and did Orient FC players not enlist en masse as well?

Will need to read the book sometime.

A proud achievement for Heart Of Midlothian and seem to remember reading somewhere about the real football champions colours were Maroon & Khaki!

[CB_1874]

Not sure about English clubs to be honest.