Football Legends interview survivors as Premier League clubs mark Holocaust Memorial Day

Harnessing the power of football

In the lead-up to Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday 27 January, Jewish News, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Dangoor Education and the FA collaborated to harness the power of football as Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United welcomed Holocaust survivors at Wembley Stadium, The Emirates and Stamford Bridge.

The initiative aims to inspire communities to confront the growing threats of antisemitism and other forms of hate, ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Ledley King with John Hajdu. © Jewish News / Simon Hill

A club legend from each of the five teams, alongside a young fan aged between 14-18 was selected to meet and talk to a survivor about their experiences during the Holocaust.

Survivors Alfred Garwood MBE, John Hajdu MBE, Joan Salter MBE, Dr Martin Stern MBE and Janine Webber MBE took part alongside Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker, Tottenham’s Ledley King, Brighton’s Glenn Murray, Chelsea’s Katie Chapman and West Ham’s Carlton Cole.

Bringing together generations

Recognising that this may be one of the last major anniversaries where survivors can share their stories first hand, the project uses the unifying power of the sport to bring together generations and learn about the past so that their stories can be remembered. Young people associated with each club took part in the interviews so that the message and experience of the survivors can be passed down.

Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Olivia Marks-Woldman said:

“Football is a universal language of unity and friendship, perfectly reflecting the core message of Holocaust Memorial Day. We are deeply grateful to the legends from five Premier League clubs who took the time to speak with survivors and hear their personal testimonies. These icons of the sport understand better than most that the essence of a team lies in its diversity – every member contributing their unique strength toward a shared goal. HMD is more than a moment of reflection; it is a call to action. Like in football, we are all called to play our part in championing empathy and understanding. Together, we can create a world where everyone is embraced, respected, and valued, regardless of their beliefs or experiences.”

Combating all forms of prejudice

Arsenal’s Per Mertesacker with Alfred Garwood. © Jewish News / Simon Hill

Dal Singh Darroch, head of diversity and inclusion at the FA, said:

“Eighty years have passed since the liberation of Auschwitz but marking Holocaust Memorial Day is as critical today as ever. After a year of record levels of hate against British Jews, this annual day reminds us of where hate can lead and the need to combat antisemitism and all forms of prejudice. The FA will always play its part in that fight and so we appreciated the opportunity to mark HMD with the Jewish News and Holocaust Memorial Day Trust through a project set to reach millions.”

The project was initiated by the Jewish News and produced in collaboration with social media agency, 8Original.

News Editor at Jewish News, Justin Cohen said:

“Football’s position as the national game brings with it huge power to effect discussion and opinion, particularly among impressionable young people. Uniting that power with another great influencer of our age, social media, will enable this campaign to reach millions globally and to amplify the precious message of survivors of where hate can ultimately lead, 80 years ago but also now. Thank you to all our partners and the Premier League clubs who’ve shown once again they fully understand that with the power to influence comes responsibility.”

At Wembley, Holocaust survivors John, Joan and Martin were given a tour of the England dressing room and had the chance to walk onto the pitch via the famous tunnel. Filming also took place at the Emirates stadium and at Stamford Bridge.