LOCAL author David Bull’s latest book reveals the links between Bristolian football players and Southampton FC during World War One. ‘
Saints in the Great War, which David wrote with researcher Gary Chalk, covers “how Southampton’s footballers were joined by fellow professionals from clubs nationwide to play war-league football and to serve the cause, from the forts on the Solent to fighting on the Somme”.
David has lived in Westbury-on-Trym for almost 40 years, working as a sociologist and lecturer at Bristol University, but he grew up in Salisbury and has been an ardent Southampton FC fan since he was five years old, following them around the country from wherever he has been living. Along the way, he has been appointed an Official Historian of Southampton FC.
This book was eight years in the making and involved extensive research. David bought many of the titles he used in his quest at Westbury’s St Peter’s Hospice shop, which provided a “wide collection of rare volumes” and Oxfam bookshop.
Of the latter, he said: “It has a fabulous collection of military books. I must have bought 50 to 100 of them!”
The book was originally intended to cover both world wars, but so much information was gathered by the lead researcher, Gary, that it was decided to contain it solely to the First World War. Two military experts were also engaged to assist with the process, although one of them, Major Roger Coleman MBE, died in 2023.
The book describes how many of the Southampton FC players served in its shipyards, which attracted young men from all over the country, including Bristol. Local references include several to Avonmouth, which was used as a port of disembarkation for Canadians.
“The route was meant to be from Nova Scotia to Southampton, but because of the U-boats around the latter, they were directed to stop at Avonmouth instead,” said David. The munitions filling station at Avonmouth also employed an army reservist who played for Southampton FC.
Discovery was also made of a Bath City FC player who lived in the mining areas around north east Bristol, but travelled to Dublin where he was involved in the Easter Rising in 1916. Surviving this, he was posted to France, where he lost a leg, but survived once again.
These are just a few of the fascinating stories featured in David’s book, his 12th about Southampton FC and the 14th book he has written or been involved with. It includes an extensive range of original photos, maps and posters, combining the authors’ passion for the club with insights into how footballers came to Southampton to play under special ‘war rules’ whilst fighting for their country.
The 368-page Saints in the Great War can be purchased at an RRP of £24 by contacting David on 0117 962 2042 or by email: bull.hagiology@blueyonder.co.uk