Monday 4 August marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, and throughout 2014 the football family will be paying its respects to mark the centenary.
Working alongside the British Council, the Football League and the Premier League – The FA is proud to be a part of the year-long Football Remembers initiative.
As part of Football Remembers, schools across the country have been sending in collages made by children – with the winner being judged by HRH The Duke of Cambridge and England star Theo Walcott.
HRH The Duke of Cambridge and Theo Walcott will work with the British Council throughout 2014
And this week the entries which are shortlisted to be presented to The Duke and Theo will be confirmed – with the winning entry to be announced in September.
Prince William, President of The FA, said: "The British Council, together with The FA, Premier League and Football League, have put together a tremendous resource for use in the classroom and at home.
"It promises to be a powerful way to engage and educate young people about such an important moment in our history.
"We all grew up with the story of soldiers from both sides putting down their arms on Christmas Day, and it remains wholly relevant today as a message of hope over adversity, even in the bleakest of times."
The competition forms part of a series of events throughout the year, culminating in a very special week of activities in December.
The accounts of the football matches being played across the Western Front during the Christmas Truce of 1914 have been passed through generations.
“It promises to be a powerful way to engage and educate young people about such an important moment in our history”
HRH The Duke of Cambrdige
The Football Remembers year ends with a week-long programme of activity during which each of the countries involved in the Christmas Truce will be encouraging their clubs – from the amateur leagues to the elite – to embrace in the spirit of unity and pose for joint team photographs before kick-off.
In springtime, FA Chairman Greg Dyke paid a personal visit to the battlefields and memorial sites of northern France and while there, the delegation paid tribute to the two Footballers’ Battalions representing league clubs up and down the country.
The FA is also planning more activities through to 2018, including recognition of the Battle of the Somme in summer 2016 which will coincide with the UEFA European Championship in France.
The FA also continues to work closely with the Forces good causes and organisations, including Tickets for Troops, the Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes, Team Army and Headley Court.
