French Army v British Army 15.2.1940 @ Reims : Match Ticket

[Baltimore]

I have recently acquired the attached match ticket.

My initial thoughts were, ...didn’t they all have more important matters to attend to in 1940?

I cannot find any details on the usual search engines.

Can anyone help? Were any well known players turning out on the day?

Thanks, Ian

[amazorblade]

BRITISH XI. JUST SCRAPE HOME Took Matters Too Easily Against French CULLIS HURT (Press Association Telegrams) RHEIMS, Thursday. in another hard-fought but scrappy game, the standard of which must have been a disappointment to the 13,000 spectators, the majority of whom were in uniform, the " star "-studded British Army soccer team just scraped home by one goal to nothing against the French Army at the Stade Municipal, to-day. Two accidents marred the match. Cullis, the British centre-half, jolted his neck rather badly when he fell heavily, and was carried off, and Batteux, a local " star," who was brought in at the last moment, tore a muscle in his right leg after 25 minutes' play and took no further part the game. Cullis, who was carried off about minutes before the interval, returned after about five minutes of the second half had gone. He did not resume at centre-half, but he put in some neat touches on tho left wing which showed that he was not seriously hurt, though he must have been groggy. Welsh stepped into the breach nobly centre-half and Compton went inside Stephenson, who played inside-left, scored the solitary point in the first half, heading the ball into an empty net following a scramble in the goalmouth. The British side were generally slightly superior, but the French Army, who fielded an entirely different side from that which drew I—l on Sunday, were unlucky not to equalise in the last 10 minutes. Nicholas, their sturdy captain, leading a depleted forward line, broke away and finished with a fast rising shot which had the British goalkeeper, Allen, well beaten. He had the bad luck to see the ball hit the under part of the crossbar, however, and rebound into play, where Simonyk just failed to get it back. FRENCH HARD PRESSED There was plenty of spirit in the early epechanges. which were even. Both sets of forwards were thrustful and persistent, and for some time the defences had some anxious moments. Stephenson's goal came after 20 minutes. As the interval approached the British side gradually gained the upper hand and the French defenders had a gruelling time. The change over brought, renewed vigour and thrust to the French side and while they found it a handicap playing with a man short, they gave their supporters much to shout about. For a time the British players were inclined to take matters too easily, although Geldard struck the cross-bar with a neat header. Allen, as on Sunday, played another fine game, making several grand saves, but it was the French goalkeeper. Da Rui. who was kept busy. The referee. M. Denize. France, ruled the game with a firm hand and it was played out in a fine spirit. The result paves the way for a final test at Lille on Sunday, and the French side, having done so well, will go all out to even up the " rubber."

Found this on British Newspaper Archive - Western Daily press 16/2/1940

[Baltimore]

Dear Amazorblade,

You are officially nominated for the best response of the week!

Brilliant, and thank you!

It all adds so much to a tatty ticket.

Cheers,


Ian