Last month, Academy teams from England, France, Germany and Belgium went to Ypres for the Premier League Christmas Truce Tournament, which features some of the best youth sides in Europe, but also offers a unique educational and cultural experience relating to World War One.
Joshua, Rory and Richard from Crystal Palace's Under-12s and Abdul, from West Ham United, recall the educational part of the trip.
The Memorial Museum Passchendaele
Richard: We saw what a recruiting station looked like and how some soldiers had lied about their age to fight.
It showed us we should be very privileged to be here now because they are only a few years older than us but risked their lives for us. We should be proud.
See: 'Truce Tournament shows football can link anyone together'
Rory: We saw the weapons they had to carry. It made us realise what they went through, the weight of of them and how bad it was.
Tyne Cot Commonwealth Cemetery
Joshua: The numbers of headstones surprised me. It was sad that so many people left their families to come and fight.
Richard: We were surprised that some of them had fought abroad but came back to fight again. They had great character and spirit. It made me think about how many of those who died never saw their children again. You feel sorry for them but you are grateful as well because they did it for us.
Langemark German Cemetery
Rory: It was very different to Tyne Cot, a lot darker. We were told the trees in the summer block the sun from coming through, so even on a sunny day it's quite gloomy.
It made me think about the war from another perspective, that the German soldiers were fighting for their country and their king, just as the British soldiers were.
The Christmas Truce Memorial
Richard: We heard the story of the original Truce and visited where it happened. We were surprised that football could bring the two sides together.
For football to bring them together and a sport can stop two armies from trying to kill each other is really special.
Haringhe (Bandaghem) military cemetery
Rory: This was a special stop because we visited the grave of a former Crystal Palace player, Private Joseph Bulcock. We can relate to him as he went through [at the club] what we are going through.
Joshua: He gave up his life to fight for his country and visiting his grave was inspirational. It was quite upsetting to find out that someone from Palace died in the war but I was grateful because he fought for us so we can play football and not be at war.
The Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate…
Joshua: I did not expect so many to be there. The minute's silence was quite emotional. I just thought about what the soldiers went through.
Abdul: It's great they do it every single night, to show that the people who fought are still in their hearts and they won't forget them. During the ceremony, I was thanking them for what they have done.
Helping lay the wreath for West Ham was a proud moment for me to be able to show my respect, knowing the people that have walked those steps.
Rory: The ceremony was impressive. People are taking time out instead of watching TV and relaxing, they come to the Menin Gate and take part. It was special.
Richard: Seeing all the names on the Menin Gate gave me goosebumps. It hit me how so many people lost their lives. Having the ceremony every night shows how much respect the [local people] have for the soldiers who died.
Exchanging gifts with other players at the tournament
Rory: I enjoyed it because we mixed with people from different countries and met a lot of new people. A quiz helped me talk to the others on the table. We were trying to speak other languages.
Abdul: We could only understand certain words but we could communicate with each other. Sharing gifts was a way of showing that this game can bring people together.
