Footballers Killed in the First World War

The following list of footballers killed during World War One is correct to the best of our knowledge and has been compiled from a substantial number of primary sources including contemporary newspaper reports, official military service records and unit war diaries, the Soldiers Died in the Great War and Officers Died in the Great War databases published by the War Office in 1921 and 1919 respectively, and the official records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. All entries have been meticulously cross-referenced to ensure validity.

It includes players who made first-team appearances in both the English Football League and Southern League, and those who featured in the Scottish Football League. It is not restricted to players who played during the 1914/15 season, however, it does not include any player who featured solely in wartime competition.

The Football and the First World War Roll of Honour is an ongoing project and is updated on a regular basis as new details become available. With this in mind, it is possible individuals are not yet featured, however, it is hoped the roll will eventually provide a definitive record of all those footballers who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War One.

If you believe any of the current information is incorrect or you have details of any player that was killed during the First World War that is not on Roll of Honour, and can offer exact confirmation of his date of death, regiment and place of burial, please complete the contact form here and I will update the records accordingly.