Beyond the football pitch, the world of soccer holds tales of remarkable courage and sacrifice, especially during war time. Many players, immortalized or forgotten by the passage of time, have traded their boots for military uniforms to serve their nations.
The Second World War stands out as one of the most significant and devastating conflicts in history, claiming the lives of about 40 million soldiers and civilians.
The concept of “Total War” emerged, signifying the collective involvement of every citizen in the country’s efforts for success.
Whether you’re a journalist, a frontline soldier, a soccer player, or a woman who only holds a knife in the kitchen, each individual was expected to fulfill their duty to the King and country.
The focus on predominantly British players in the list is a reflection of the unique circumstances during the Second World War.
While fascist powers like Germany, Italy, and Spain continued their football leagues, Britain sent most of its players to serve in the military, reserving only the most prominent stars for occasional friendly matches.
Here are 20 players who served their nations during war time.
- 1. Sir Stanley Matthews
- 2. Billy Meredith
- 3. Matt Busby
- 4. Bert Trautman
- 5 . Raymond Kopa
- 6. Vivian Woodward
- 7. Lev Yashin
- 8. Sam Bartram
- 9. Tom Cooper
- 10. Harry Goslin
- 11. Willie Thornton
- 12. Herbie Roberts
- 13. Fritz Walter
- 14. Walter Tull
- 15. Eddie Hapgood
- 16. Norman Corbett
- 17. Ted Drake
- 18. Stan Mortensen
- 19. Donald Bell
- 20. Sandy Turnbull
- Petea Vâlcov
1. Sir Stanley Matthews
One of England’s greatest football legends served in the Royal Air Force during World War II. Rising to the rank of corporal, he acknowledged being among the most lenient and easy-going NCOs in the forces.
Throughout this period, he participated in 69 Wartime League and Cup games for Stoke and made 87 guest appearances for Blackpool.
Widely recognized as one of the greatest players in British football history and one of the all-time greats, Sir Stanley Matthews achieved unique honors. He holds the distinction of being the only player knighted while still active in football.
He was the first recipient of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year awards.
Known by nicknames such as “The Wizard of the Dribble” and “The Magician,” Sir Stanley Matthews set remarkable records in his career.
He became the oldest player to compete in England’s top football division at 50 years and 5 days, and also the oldest player to represent the country at 42 years and 104 days.
In recognition of his significant contributions to English football, he was among the inaugural inductees into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
2. Billy Meredith
Renowned Welsh winger, celebrated for his spells with Manchester United and Manchester City, served in the British Army during World War I.
His football achievements in the English league were extensive, including winning every domestic trophy and earning 48 caps for Wales. Throughout his international career, he scored eleven goals and won two British Home Championship titles.
Operating predominantly as an outside right, his distinguished skills covered dribbling, passing, crossing, and shooting.
A committed and exceptionally fit professional, Meredith’s trademark habit of chewing on a toothpick during games made him instantly recognizable.
Over 27 seasons in the Football League from 1892 to 1924 (excluding four seasons lost to the First World War and the 1905–06 season, during which he faced a ban for bribing an opposition player), Meredith netted 194 goals in 740 league and cup appearances.
Beginning his career with Chirk, he later joined Northwich Victoria in 1892. However, his trajectory soared when he signed with Manchester City in 1894, turning professional in January 1895.
Meredith captained the team to their inaugural major honor, securing a 1–0 victory over Bolton Wanderers in the 1904 FA Cup final.
3. Matt Busby
Busby played for two of Manchester United’s greatest rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool. During his stint at City, he played in two FA Cup Finals, securing victory in one of them.
Throughout the war, Busby continued his football journey.
Shortly after aiding Aldershot in defeating Chelsea 4–3 in a benefit match, he joined Chelsea on October 28, 1939.
Busby made a total of four appearances for Chelsea and also featured for Middlesbrough (13 matches), Reading, Brentford, and Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.
In 1941, Hibernian enticed Busby back north, a time when English clubs were reluctant to release players to Scottish football unless insured.
He contributed to Hibernian, playing in 37 matches and scoring five goals, including one against city rivals Hearts.
Following an interruption due to the Second World War, Liverpool offered Busby the assistant coach position, but the lack of control over the first team led him to choose the vacant manager’s role at Manchester United.
Here, he built the renowned Busby Babes team.
Tragically, eight of these players lost their lives in the Munich air disaster.
Despite this setback, Busby successfully rebuilt the team, and Manchester United triumphed in the European Cup a decade later. Across 25 years with the club, he amassed an impressive tally of 13 trophies.
4. Bert Trautman
He made 508 appearances for Manchester City from 1949 to 1964, making him one of the greatest city players of all time.
Trautmann enlisted in the Luftwaffe at the start of World War II, serving on both the eastern and western fronts. Out of a 1000-strong unit, only 90 men, including Trautmann, survived before he was captured by the British.
During the war, Trautmann received five medals from the Nazis, including an Iron Cross. After the war, he engaged in farming in Great Britain and played football at the local level before being conscripted by City.
In 1956, Trautmann earned the FWA Footballer of the Year award, a recognition for his outstanding performance, particularly in the legendary FA Cup final that year.
5 . Raymond Kopa
Raymond Kopa, one of the great French players of all time, was a creative attacking midfielder and striker.
While living in France during the Second World War, Kopa may not have experienced the traditional wartime heroism seen among English or Scottish players, but he still served the French nation.
As a teenager, alongside his father and brother, he worked in the coal mines of northern France throughout the war, contributing to the country’s fuel supply under Nazi command. Unfortunately, he even lost a finger in a mining accident.
Post-war, Kopa decided to pursue a career in professional football to avoid the fate that befell many miners, including his father and brother.
This decision proved fruitful as Kopa went on to play for the renowned Real Madrid squad, showcasing his talents alongside players like Ferenc Puskás.
6. Vivian Woodward
During the early days of organized English soccer, Vivian Woodward emerged as one of the greats.
As a center forward, he left a lasting impact by scoring 93 goals in 238 appearances for both Tottenham and Chelsea.
Woodward’s influence extended to the international stage, where he captained Great Britain (not England) to gold medals in the 1908 and 1912 Olympic games.
As a member of England Amateurs, he showcased his goal-scoring prowess by netting eight goals in a dominant 15-0 victory over a French amateur squad.
When World War I erupted, Woodward answered the call to serve in the 17th Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, commonly known as the Footballers’ Battalion.
He actively fought on the Western front, achieving the rank of captain. In 1916, during battle, Woodward sustained injuries when a hand grenade exploded near his leg, marking a challenging chapter in his military service.
7. Lev Yashin
Known as The Black Widow, is widely hailed as the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the game.
In 1941, at the tender age of 12, Yashin contributed to the Soviet war effort when the Nazis invaded Russia. He worked in a factory in his native Moscow, manufacturing weapons, vehicle parts, and other necessities crucial for wartime.
During his tenure at the factory, Yashin also played for its football team, alongside individuals who were either too young, too old, or too impaired to participate in the war.
Yashin’s illustrious career continued with 326 performances for FC Dynamo Moscow over a remarkable 20-year span, complemented by 78 appearances for the Soviet national team.
8. Sam Bartram
Sam Bartram was an English professional footballer and manager, known for his role as a goalkeeper. He holds the record for the most appearances for Charlton Athletic, the only professional club he played for during his career.
Bartram dedicated an impressive 22 years to playing in goal for Charlton Athletic, excluding unofficial guest appearances during wartime. Remarkably, he was never dropped from the team until his retirement in 1956.
Widely regarded as one of Charlton’s greatest players and their finest goalkeeper, Bartram played in four finals at Wembley between 1943 and 1947, winning the FA Cup in 1947.
His commitment to the team was exemplified during the 1947 semi-final against Newcastle United, where he played despite suffering from food poisoning, using a hot poultice on his stomach.
In addition to his contributions to Charlton Athletic, Bartram guested for other clubs during the Second World War, including York City, Liverpool, and West Ham United. He also took on the role of a physical training instructor during this period.
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9. Tom Cooper
Right-back Tom Cooper had a 16-year professional soccer career, representing clubs like Port Vale, Derby County, and Liverpool.
In his final professional match at Stamford Bridge in 1940, Cooper played a major role as the Reds secured a 1-0 victory against the Blues.
Following this, he enlisted in the Royal Military Police later that year to contribute to the war effort.
Tragically, in June 1940, while riding a dispatch motorcycle to ferry messages for the war effort, Cooper collided with a lorry and lost his life.
His untimely death led to the British government’s decision to mandate helmets for all dispatch riders as a safety measure.
10. Harry Goslin
Harry Goslin, a defender for Bolton Wanderers in the 1930s, scored 23 goals in 306 matches and was signed for a fee of £25.
In a match on April 8, 1939, Goslin made a noteworthy announcement to the supporters, declaring that the entire team would enlist immediately after the game.
True to their word, they fulfilled the promise and gained recognition for their collective efforts.
Goslin rose to the rank of sergeant and played a crucial role during the troop withdrawal at Dunkirk.
In 1942, he and the rest of the Wanderers served in Egypt, traversing the Middle East, where they even engaged in a friendly match against members of the Polish army.
Tragically, Harry Goslin lost his life in December 1943 due to a mortar explosion, marking the end of a remarkable journey that combined football and wartime service.
11. Willie Thornton
A Scotsman, made a significant impact during his time with the Rangers, scoring 138 goals in 219 performances between 1936 and 1954, solidifying his place as one of Scottish football’s all-time top scorers.
Post his playing career, Thornton ventured into management, overseeing Dundee and Partick Thistle, and also took on the role of caretaker for the Rangers for a year.
Beyond his contributions to Scottish football, Thornton served in the Scottish Horse regiment of the British Territorial Army during World War II.
His bravery and commitment to duty under fire were recognized with the Military Medal, an honor bestowed for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty.
12. Herbie Roberts
Herbie Roberts enjoyed a successful career at Arsenal, securing four First Division titles in 11 years.
Following his retirement in 1937, he transitioned to training the Gunners’ second team.
When World War II erupted, Roberts enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers infantry regiment, holding the rank of lieutenant.
Tragically, he passed away at the age of 39 due to erysipelas, a skin disease known for inducing fevers, shaking, chills, fatigue, headaches, and vomiting.
Roberts was among the nine Arsenal players who lost their lives during World War II, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by individuals associated with the football community during the conflict.
13. Fritz Walter
The tale of German soldier Fritz Walter is so extraordinary that it almost feels like a legend rather than reality.
Conscripted by the Nazis, Walter found himself engaged in combat on the eastern front against the Soviets.
Towards the war’s end, he was captured and faced the prospect of being sent to Siberian work camps, where survival was expected to be limited to five years.
While held at a prisoner-of-war camp, Walter’s exceptional football skills caught the attention of guards during a friendly match. His prowess led to exhibition matches organized among the prisoners to showcase his abilities.
Some accounts even suggest that he coached teams and arranged leagues within the detention center, although the extent of these activities remains uncertain.
As the time approached for the prisoners to be transported to the Gulag, a guard intervened on Walter’s behalf. Through persuasion, the guard convinced superiors that Walter was Austrian, not German, and argued that he did not deserve the impending punishment.
The twist of fate spared Walter from the harsh conditions awaiting many others in the Gulag.
14. Walter Tull
Walter Tull achieved a historic milestone in 1909, becoming the second black man to play top-flight football in the UK when he took the field for Tottenham Hotspur.
Having played in 120 matches for Tottenham and Northampton Town, Tull answered the call to enlist in the Footballers’ Battalion.
Despite British laws explicitly prohibiting individuals of African or mixed racial heritage from serving as military officers, Tull defied the odds and attained the rank of second lieutenant.
Tragically, this soccer pioneer lost his life during the Spring Offensive in 1918.
In recognition of his bravery and contributions, Walter Tull was posthumously awarded the Military Cross, a testament to his courage and impact both on and off the football field.
15. Eddie Hapgood
Eddie served England in various capacities—firstly as a professional soccer player for Arsenal, then as a member of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, and in the pre-war years, even as a milkman.
Despite his military commitments during the war, Hapgood remarkably played in over 100 friendly matches for Arsenal.
These matches were strategically organized to maintain the morale of the British people, demonstrating that occasional bombing raids couldn’t halt the resilience of the nation.
Eddie Hapgood’s playing career concluded before the war’s end, prompting him to transition into management. In 1944, while reportedly still serving in the RAF, he took charge of Blackburn Rovers.
Subsequently, he managed Watford and Bath City, contributing to both soccer and his country in various capacities.
16. Norman Corbett
Scottish soccer player Norman Corbett had a lengthy and distinguished sporting career that commenced during his school years.
A notable highlight occurred when the young Corbett captained his Falkirk side to victory in the Scottish Schools Trophy. His talent also earned him spots on the Scottish Boys and Scotland Junior teams before he signed with Hearts at the age of 15.
Corbett went on to make 166 appearances for West Ham between 1937 and 1950.
His playing years intersected with World War II, during which he served with the Essex Regiment.
Despite the wartime disruptions, Corbett was a crucial part of the Hammers team that won victory in the War Cup in 1940, adding to his accomplishments on the pitch.
17. Ted Drake
Ted Drake left a huge footprint on Arsenal during his playing days.
In 167 league appearances for the Gunners, Drake showcased his goal-scoring prowess by netting an impressive 124 goals, all while battling persistent injuries—a reminiscent narrative of the challenges faced by an old-school Robin van Persie.
The outbreak of the Second World War significantly impacted Drake’s professional footballing career.
Although he played in several friendly matches with Arsenal during the war, his primary commitment was serving in the Royal Air Force, causing him to miss out on crucial years in his soccer journey.
Drake’s career took a different turn after he suffered a spinal injury during a match in 1945, effectively bringing an end to his playing days.
However, he remained connected to the sport, transitioning into managerial roles with Hendon, Reading, and Chelsea.
18. Stan Mortensen
Widely regarded as one of the best British soccer players in the post-war era, had an unlikely journey to athletic stardom after serving as a wireless operator for the Royal Air Force during World War II.
Surviving a plane crash that claimed the lives of others on board, Mortensen sustained injuries that allowed him to return to England in 1941, marking the beginning of his soccer career with Blackpool.
Playing as a center forward, Mortensen exhibited remarkable goal-scoring prowess, amassing 197 goals in 317 appearances for Blackpool between 1941 and 1955.
Even during his guest stint with Arsenal in the 1944-45 season, he maintained an impressive goal-to-game ratio of 25 goals in 19 matches.
19. Donald Bell
Donald Bell, a brave individual, earned the Victoria Cross for his gallantry during the Battle of the Somme.
The official report in the London Gazette highlighted his exceptional actions, stating that “2nd Lt. Bell immediately, and on his initiative, crept up a communication trench and then…rushed across the open under very heavy fire and attacked the machine gun, shooting the firer with his revolver, and destroying gun and personnel with bombs.”
Before the war, Bell had a career as a professional teacher and an amateur soccer player, representing Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.
Tragically, he lost his life in battle on July 10, 1916, at the age of 25.
His heroism and sacrifice remain a testament to his courage and commitment to duty.
20. Sandy Turnbull
A talented forward who played for both Manchester United and Manchester City in the early 20th century, showcased his goal-scoring prowess with a total of 143 goals in 230 Football League appearances.
He scored the decisive goal against Bristol City in the 1909 FA Cup final, securing victory.
Turnbull achieved FA Cup success with both Manchester clubs and clinched two league titles with United.
In 1915, despite facing a ban from the Football League due to match-fixing allegations, the Scottish striker enlisted in the military.
Tragically, Turnbull lost his life in battle at Arras on May 3, 1917.
Recognizing his wartime contributions, he was posthumously reinstated to the League, honoring his service during the war.
Petea Vâlcov
Romanian footballer Petea Vâlcov is known for being one of the most successful strikers in the history of First League Romanian football, and the most prolific of the three brothers Vâlcov who played striker for Venus Bucureşti during the 1930s.
Along with his brothers Colea and Volodea, Vâlcov formed the most dangerous part of a famed striking triumvirate. He also scored four goals in seven matches at the international level for Romania.
Vâlcov served in the Romanian army during the Second World War and died fighting the Soviets at Kalmyk Steppe in November of 1943.
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