Families of 1914 footballers proud of The Day We Played Brazil

The Day We Played Brazil has been wowing audiences at the Exeter Northcott Theatre since it opened on Wednesday 16 July and a group of audience members in particular on Saturday evening’s performance had a very special reason to see the show.

The musical celebrates the 100th anniversary of Exeter City becoming the first team to ever play Brazil and follows the stories of the 1914 footballers who went on the South American tour. Billy Smith and Bill Lovett were two of the footballers who played in the historic tour and members of both of their families travelled down from the north of England to watch the production at the theatre.

Speaking after the show on Saturday, Billy Smith’s daughter, Jean, said “It was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m going to come back to see it again next week.”

Based in Cheshire, Smith’s Grandson, Richard, heard about the production through chance after his brother, on holiday in Exeter, saw posters for the show. After some research, they all booked tickets and made the long journey down the Devon on Saturday.

“It was absolutely fantastic! They have made my whole family proud” Richard said.

After the tour of South America, the footballers went on to fight in World War I and all of them returned when the war was over.

However, after signing a transfer deal to Everton, Billy Smith was shot the day after the war ended, which led to the amputation of his leg.

“Billy knew the sniper who shot him. They played a football match against the Germans and the sniper played. I didn’t realise Billy gets such a big storyline in the production. It was an absolutely fantastic evening. The production was outstanding.“

The Day We Played Brazil continues at the Exeter Northcott Theatre until Sun 27 July, with a special Gala performance, which the current Exeter City squad will attend, on Sat 2 August.