About PFM
About the Philosophers’ Football Match
This wasn’t your pub team or Sunday league side facing a crucial fixture – or even lads in the park with jumpers for goalposts!
It was a match pitching some of the greatest intellects against each other, two tense halves that tried to answer the really big questions… perhaps some of the biggest of all: Was Socrates' goal off that diving header from Archimedes really offside, as Karl Marx claimed – and was Confucius out of order to give Nietzsche that red card for arguing 'he had no free will'?
Inspired by the famous 1972 Monty Python sketch and with the full backing of the surviving Pythons, a tribute/replay in the form of a full 90 minute clash between 'Greeks' and 'Germans' took place at Wingate & Finchley’s Harry Abrahams Stadium, North London, on Sunday, 9th May.
Former England Manager Graham Taylor and professional Philosopher AC Grayling organised tactics, while comedians Arthur Smith and Mark Steel, historian Bettany Hughes and Ex-England Cricketer Simon Hughes – as well as assorted philosophers, sorry, footballers! such as Julian Baggini, Nigel Warburton, Simon Glendinning, Stephen Law, Angie Hobbs and Mark Vernon took part to raise awareness of The Philosophy Shop’s 'Four Rs' campaign: 'More reasoning and creative thinking for our children.'
Live pitchside commentary was provided by sociologist and Radio 4 Thinking Allowed presenter Laurie Taylor while the Two Ronnies’ comedy institution The Dagenham Girls Piper Band provided solid musical support.
The match was preceded by a very successful social media stream, featuring regular Twitter, YouTube and Facebook activity, such as a stream of humorous pre-match reports from hardened sports hack, Harry 'Hardnose' Heidegger. The day itself, meanwhile, was supported by a special stream of child-friendly facilities and entertainment, from face painting to ribbon twirling from The Bedlam Bunch to a 'Sock it to Socrates!' penalty shoot out for kids helped along by stand-up comedian Janice Phayre, plus food from Borough Market’s Rainha Santa. As one parent later emailed us, “Thanks for both a great day out and giving us something to think about re Hannah's education!”
There was also a popular balloon hats stall and The Philosophy Shop’s own Philosophy in Schools stand, also selling, er, special philosopher beards! Match sponsor Introducing Books also had a stand.
Finally, last but no means least, a special thank you to Jennie Johnson, Marketing Coordinator from Trophy Sponsor academic publisher Routledge Classics, such a big part of making the whole day possible. Jennie commented, “It was a fantastic event. Routledge Classics is delighted to be involved in supporting a project all about encouraging participation for youngsters in Philosophy.”
The game was set up to promote The Philosophy Shop’s campaign that 'reasoning' should be on the timetable for our children as much as reading and writing - even at primary school level.
Our confirmed supporters included former barrister and comedian Clive Anderson, ‘Outnumbered’ writer and comedian Andy Hamilton, comedian Tony Hawks, the BBC’s John Humphrys, footballing legend Gary Lineker and educationalist and author Anthony Seldon.
Some 400 spectators skipped the chance to watch their favourite Premiership teams on the last day of the 2009-10 season to enjoy the spectacle, officially blessed by all surviving Pythons, who also donated a signed trophy football that was also sold on eBay the same day.
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