Season in Hell

Professional football was officially suspended at the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939. With their contracts terminated, players were free to join the Armed Forces and, by April 1940, 514 were enlisted in the Army, 84 in the RAF and 31 in the Royal Navy. Many others were involved in war work; one factory in Oldbury boasted 18 West Bromwich Albion players. Of those who joined up 80 were to die. These included English International Tom Cooper who had played for Liverpool, Derby County and Port Vale, Alan Fowler of Swindon Town who died after D Day serving with the Dorsets, and Herbie Robert of Arsenal. Many were household names as Gareth Bale and Wayne Rooney are today. In this powerful and evocative memorial book the author traces the footballing and military careers of these talented men who sacrificed all for King and Country.