Colchester United’s Weston Home Community Stadium is the unlikely stage for a replay of the famous match between Allied prisoners of war and Nazi Germany from Escape to Victory on Sunday. The game is being re-enacted as part of a family day organised to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Royal British Legion by its Sudbury & District and Colchester branches.
A WWII re-enactment group from the UK re-enacting community will replay the match, which originally featured a host of Town stars, including John Wark and Russell Osman, in addition to the likes of Pele and Sylvester Stallone, having been granted a special licence by Warner Bros.
The match will be played according to 1940s rules using 1940s kit and hand-stitched leather ball. Blues legend Kevin Beattie, who doubled for Michael Caine in the film, and ex-Colchester and Arsenal man Perry Groves will be attending.
Amongst other activities are a grand raffle with some film memorabilia as prizes, The Royal British Legion Riders Branch, a display of vintage cars and military vehicles, The Royal British Legion Brass Band, ice cream and burger vans, face painting and a fire engine.
The day starts at 11.30am with the match kicking off at 2pm. Tickets at £5 for adults and £3 for five to 14-year-olds are available from Colchester United’s Ticket Office on 0845 4379089 or Sudbury Tourist Information Centre on 01787 881320. It will also be possible to pay on the gate.
Those attending are invited to wear fancy dress in a 1940s civilian style (French optional) but strictly not uniform.