Jews and Football
The Rover Club, 1929 • Hull History Centre
A Tweet yesterday announced, not entirely seriously, that United Synagogue Trustees have just agreed that if England win Euro 2020 on Sunday then they will rename Cockfosters and New Southgate Synagogue ‘Cockfosters and Gareth Southgate Synagogue’ in honour of the England Manager.
There’s always been a close connection between Jews and football in this country. From the late nineteenth century when playing football was a way of anglicising the Jewish immigrants, to the current day when going to shul in the morning and football in the afternoon on a Saturday is a well-known minhag Anglia (Anglo-Jewish custom).
Please enjoy some Jewish footballing images from our archives in anticipation of Sunday’s European Football final!
The Rover Club, 1929 • Hull History Centre
Holocaust survivor Arek Hersh playing football in Manchester, 1953 • Holocaust Survivors’ Friendship Association
Albert Goodman (centre) in training with his Charlton teammates, mid 1920s • Jewish Museum London
Tottenham Kippah • Jewish Museum London
Arsenal Kippah • Jewish Museum London
Celtic tallit • Jewish Museum London
Arsenal programme & clipping • Jewish Museum London
Hidden Treasures: Celebrating the documents, photos and artefacts in British archives that tell the story of Jews in Britain