More than 110 years after an extraordinary moment of peace on the battlefields of the First World War, football is bringing Britain and Germany together again, right here in Newark.

Newark Town FC will welcome FC Emmendingen, from Newark's German twin town, to the YMCA Sports Village today (Saturday 7 November) for a special Peace Match commemorating the famous Christmas Truce of 1914.

Taking place during Remembrance Weekend, the fixture celebrates friendship and reconciliation while remembering the remarkable moment British and German soldiers temporarily laid down their weapons and came together in No Man's Land.

And remarkably, the events of Christmas 1914 have a direct connection to Newark itself.

The Newark soldier at the heart of the story

Among the British soldiers who experienced the Christmas Truce was Private William Setchfield, from 28 Northgate in Newark, who was serving with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment near Messines in Belgium.

On Christmas Eve 1914, German soldiers placed small illuminated Christmas trees along their trenches and began singing Silent Night.

British soldiers responded with carols of their own, and greetings were exchanged across the battlefield.

In some areas, soldiers emerged from their trenches to shake hands, exchange gifts and, according to accounts of the truce, play impromptu games of football.

William and his brother Alfred were both keen footballers, while their father was a local bootmaker who also made leather footballs.

Historical accounts suggest that a football sent to William by his brother may have been used during the Christmas Truce, although the precise details of the famous football games remain the subject of historical debate.

More than a century later, that remarkable connection between Newark and the Western Front continues to be remembered.

A friendship that crosses borders

Today's Peace Match continues a tradition of friendship between Newark Town FC and FC Emmendingen.

The two clubs previously met in Belgium in 2014, marking the centenary of the Christmas Truce, when Newark's young footballers travelled to the battlefields around Ypres for a commemorative fixture.

They met again in Belgium in 2018 to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Now, the teams are coming together once again, this time on Newark soil.

The occasion also celebrates the longstanding twinning relationship between Newark and Emmendingen, highlighting the friendships that have developed between the two communities over the decades.

While the original Christmas Truce offered only a brief moment of peace during a devastating conflict, today's match represents something lasting — the ability of sport to bring people together across national borders.

The story behind the Peace Match

The remarkable history behind the fixture was explored recently in a special episode of Grassroots Plus Podcast, part of the Radio Newark Originals podcast collection.

Dave Pickerill spoke with local historian Francis Towndrow about the significance of the Peace Match and the historical connections that make the occasion so special for both clubs.

RADIO NEWARK ORIGINALS · GRASSROOTS PLUS

Peace Match Special

Dave Pickerill speaks with local historian Francis Towndrow. Season 6, episode 11 · 25 minutes.

Open the Peace Match Special episode page

Come along and show your support

The Peace Match takes place today, Saturday 7 November, at the YMCA Sports Village on Lord Hawke Way, Newark, with kick-off at 2pm.

Admission is £5 for adults, with children admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Local residents, families and football supporters are encouraged to come along and be part of an occasion that is about far more than the result on the pitch.

Radio Newark will also be attending the match, speaking to those involved and capturing the occasion, with coverage across our social media channels.

More than 110 years after British and German soldiers met in No Man's Land, their extraordinary story of humanity and friendship will be remembered once again through the game they shared.

Two towns. Two teams. One message of peace.

Further details are available on the Newark Town FC website.