A GROUP of young people from Stretford is set to recreate a famous impromptu game of football a century ago between British troops and their German counterparts among the trenches of Flanders.

The match, is part of commemorations across Britain marking English football's contribution to the First World War effort, which marked a brief but iconic interlude where troops played football and exchanged gifts on the battlefield of Flanders on Christmas Day 1914.

The first leg of the friendly game on Saturday, December 13, will match a squad from Stretford High School against their German counterparts from Borussia Monchengladbach, at The Cliff, starting at 1pm, where they will play for the Sandy Turnbull Memorial Trophy. The second leg will be held in the German city next March.

Turnbull, who won FA Cup medals with both Manchester City and Manchester United, died at the front in France, on May 3, 1917. His body was never found.

His wife Florence and their four children lived in Portland Road, Gorse Hill, for many years.

Other soldiers with Manchester United connections who perished in the Great War include Arthur Beadsworth, a forward killed in 1917, the full-back Oscar Linkson who died during the Somme Offensive of 1916.

The match in December has been organised in a collaboration between Trafford Council, the Manchester United Foundation, Stretford High School.

Stretford High School teacher Chris Hirst, who helped organise the event as part of a learning and history programme, has also arranged for the home squad to take part in events, including a visit this week to the Imperial War Museum, Remembrance Day attendance, bag packing at Tesco to raise money for charity, an army assault course in Preston and a visit to war graves in Belgian next year.

Mr Hirst said: "The students from both Stretford and Germany are from a fairly disadvantaged background and were disengaged with education and this whole project is about re-engaging and ensuring they are part of as many educational opportunities as possible.

"In holding these events, we hope to illustrate how far our societies have advanced over the last 100 years; that our young people can now play their young people in a spirit of friendship and mutual respect."

Trafford council leader Sean Anstee said: "Trafford is known around the world for its sporting heritage so it is fitting that we host this commemorative match .

"We are proud to welcome the German team to take part in this poignant tribute that remembers those who lost their lives on both sides in the war”