Middlesex Regiment 17th Btn (1st Footballers)

[Guest Steve Key]

I'm doing some research on my great-grandfather and have found out that at the time of his marriage in June 1916 he was enlisted in the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) 17th (Service)Battalion (1st Footballers).

I've gleaned from the 'net that whilst cricket and rugby ceased at the start of the war, football continued until 1916 when the FA stopped it due to adverse publicity from newspapers and falling attendances. Large numbers of footballers appeared to have joined en masse, hence the name. I've read through the messages about football on this board but there wasn't very much information about this area.

Can anyone point me the right direction for more information on this aspect of WW1.

Many thanks