On Friday 11 October, our Inclusion Football Officer, Youcef El Barhdadi, represented Oxfordshire FA at a performance of ‘Our Little Hour’, a musical celebrating the life of pioneer Walter Tull which was being hosted at Oxford Playhouse across two days.

Timed during Black History Month, ‘Our Little Hour’ tells the fascinating story of Walter Tull. Born in Folkestone to a Bajan father and English mother, Walter was orphaned at the age of eight, but would go on to rise to prominence as the first black footballer to play at the highest level of the domestic game in England. To make Walter’s story more remarkable, in 1917 he became the first man of his heritage to be commissioned as an Officer of the British Army.

Recommended for the Military Cross for his bravery, having led his troops on a daring raid in Italy, Walter was sadly killed at the Battle of the Somme on 25 March 1918. One of the more poignant points ‘Our Little Hour’ addresses is that Walter was never honoured posthumously with the Military Cross he was recommended for.

There is now a petition open, supporting the campaign to honour Walter Tull by awarding him the Military Cross and by erecting a statue of him in London.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION

Huge thanks to director Mandy Horlock, performers Leon Newman, Susie Broadbent and Neil Reidman; and all involved in this wonderful show, and for telling Walter’s remarkable story. A true pioneer in both the game and society in general.