The ball is crossed into the box as British Army troops play in the final of the Fanshawe Cup in Trissino, Italy. IWM IWM

THE CHRISTMAS DAY truce 100 years ago today is one of he most celebrated and poignant moments of the First World War.

The unofficial ceasefire between British and German troops has become more popularised in recent times, so much so that it was used by Sainsbury’s recently to as part of their Christmas ad campaign.

Despite this, information is still only now coming to light about what exactly transpired.

A newly discovered letter written by a British general to his wife on Christmas day 1914 revealed how soldiers ventured into no-man’s land where they “walk[ed] about together all day giving each other cigars and singing songs” .

The impromptu football matched played between the troops is also much heralded but it was not the only time football was played amongst fighting troops.

Britian’s Imperial War Museum outlines that, not only did it serve as a distraction for nervous soldiers during tough times, it also helped to recruit men who were reluctant to join up.

To commemorate this, The Open University has gone through the museums archives to publish some photos showing the impact of football during WW1.