West Bromwich Albion won the Premier League Christmas Truce Tournament this month in Ypres, but their coach and players found just as much pleasure in what they experienced off the field in Belgium.
The Baggies' Under-13 team beat Metz in the final, after going unbeaten, scoring 15 goals and conceding only twice, in a special tournament held because last year's Under-12 event was cancelled.
"It means a lot to win the trophy," said West Brom striker Jack, who scored in the final. "It's my first tour so I am quite proud of myself.
"In this tournament everyone comes together and are friendly, it doesn't matter where you come from or what race you are, you are all the same."
See: Premier League Christmas Truce photo gallery
The Tournament began in 2011 and offers a memorable educational and cultural experience for Under-12 teams from England, France, Germany and Belgium, bringing players together on and off the pitch.
It teaches them about the Great War, with visits to Commonwealth and German cemeteries as well as the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate and a gift exchange held in the spirit of the Christmas Truce in 1914.
As an example of the friendships that were built over the weekend, Metz formed a guard of honour for West Brom as they collected their trophy.
"The football is one thing, it's always nice to win a tournament, but with the enrichment stuff around it, it's been a great weekend," said West Brom Under-13 coach Paul Gardiner. "It's not just about building a player, it's about building the man.
"When the players come into our Academy, we say they come in as one thing and leave as another. If it's as a footballer brilliant, if not, have we added value to what they do?
"Hopefully, they will have a bit of humility when they approach situations, they will make good friends here and that's what we try to teach the boys."
Participating teams
Under-13: Fulham, Erzgebirge Aue, Metz, Sunderland; Chelsea, Valenciennes, Hertha Berlin, West Bromwich Albion
Christmas Truce Tournament winners
2011 Manchester United
2012 Borussia Monchengladbach
2013 Borussia Monchengladbach
2014 Chelsea
2016 Anderlecht/West Bromwich Albion
