October in Football

A heated election season, new and uncertain times for football with an ever-increasing sense of urgency within football to deliver positive change. What moments in football history are we looking to highlight in the coming month which might provide us with historical mirrors to the present?

In this article:

• Football People
• Some of our highlights
• Pass the ball around
• Photo Gallery

Football People

Between 8-22 October, Football Makes History founding partner Fare Network champions grassroots football activism that advances inclusion in all shapes and forms. We will highlight the lives of pioneers in football who have broken ceilings and changed perspectives to allow for more inclusion in the game and combat racism and hate.

Some of our highlights

As before, we pay close attention to stories – large and small – that connect football to social and cultural developments on the continent. Some highlight you can except in October: 

• In October 1925, Jack Leslie would have been the first Black player for England, but he was sent away once the staff had seen his skin colour. Only in October 1978 does Viv Anderson make his debut as a Black pioneer in England.
• In October 1927, the first finals of the Mitropa Cup – Europe’s first international club tournament – were concluded between Sparta Prague and Rapid Wien. 
• In October 1966, following a tragic landslide in the Welsh town of Aberfan, a charity football match was organised to raise relief money. TV personalities teamed up against an International XI.

Tell us what you consider an important moment in football history to mark in October, and why.

Pass the ball around

Our campaign’s content is almost entirely produced by educators. Each day we aim to deliver interesting mini-stories from football’s rich history. These will be posted on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The content is aimed to support the educational objectives of the Football Makes History project. If you are reading this and have suggestions or ideas for the months ahead, we are most happy to receive those! Help our team tell the stories that matter.