Plymouth Strikers v Police 1926
Imagine the scene if you are able:
A procession of some 4,000 people,
With union banners and a brass band
(The day after the same number of people
Battled with police when ‘volunteers’
Attempted to break the General Strike,
By taking out some trams on to Plymouth’s streets)
Marching in procession to the match,
Where thousands more are gathered.
Then imagine this scene if you are able:
The chief constable’s wife starts the game,
Not by tossing a coin of the realm,
But by kicking the ball,
And who knows what animosities
Might have been carried from the day before,
As players collided, tackled and shoved –
For we all know that the red mist
Can descend upon even the most pacific of us
In the heat of football’s battle.
And yet, the British Worker reported
“The keen desire of the strikers to keep on good terms with the authorities is exemplified by a novel event at Plymouth, where, in the presence of several thousand people, a strikers’ team defeated the Police team at football by 2 goals to 1. The wife of the Chief Constable kicked off.”
And the governmental British Gazette reported
“Several thousands of persons had gathered to watch … The wife of the Chief Constable kicked off. The match was played in the best spirit from start to finish …”
And the New York Times reported
“Striking workers marched in an orderly procession headed by a brass band.”
Dear Readers, I would like to set you a challenge,
So as to bring this unique event to life:
Find that mesmerising photograph
Of strikers versus the police,
Use your imagination or research,
Make those football players come alive,
Let’s all write about them and this event,
In a unique way to commemorate
The centenary of the General Strike:
From May 1926 to May 2026.