Football Programmes Centre

Baltimore · Joined: 08 Feb 2013 Posts: 371 Location: France

Please find below two recently purchased postcards featuring two teams in action.

On the reverse someone speculated it was Fulham, but I have discounted this.

In the middle of the main stand, there is a very distinctive tower/chimney.

At the far right, there is a large factory/ brewery looking building.

The players have a Arsenal type jersey on, and the opposition have a lighter chevron type kit.

Unfortunately, I am unable to blow up the images.

I would guess at very early 1950s?

Any help would be really appreciated however speculative.

Cheers, Ian

Baltimore · Joined: 08 Feb 2013 Posts: 371 Location: France

Does anyone recognise the team strips maybe?

Cheers,

Ian

Pete’s Picture Palace · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 3:42 pm Post subject:

As the chevron-shirted players in the top one are wearing different colour shorts, that more or less confirms the amateur level or perhaps a training game or some such. Are there people in the stand?

That tower looks familiar somehow.....

Baltimore · Joined: 08 Feb 2013 Posts: 371 Location: France

Hello Pete,

There are 50 or so hardy souls in the stand & refreshments hut?

Some of the players have varying shorts and socks which would support your assertion.

However it’s quite a set up for an amateur club etc. I bought the cards in Sussex, if that is any guide, probably not?

Surely someone might recognise the tower?

Ian

Five and In · Joined: 15 Sep 2015 Posts: 1410 Location: Dawlish, Devon

In the middle of the main stand there is a triangle shape in the roof which often had club initials in them at many grounds.
Can you see any initials on the original card Baltimore?

Baltimore · Joined: 08 Feb 2013 Posts: 371 Location: France

The apex to the roof appears to have no no clues, sadly.

The factory to the right also has a chimney type structure. Brewing town? Or industrial backdrop?

Thanks for the suggestion however!

Ian

Flaming Pie · Joined: 26 Nov 2016 Posts: 931

Could be a forces game?.Army v Navy ,,that type of game.Could be an inter departmental factory final ? A Shift v B Shift. Played in a few of them late 1960s ..Shirts were allocated, but not socks. As you said , could be early 1950s,, a few Elvis type hair styes in the photo. Could it be a Scottish game?That shirt with the big V has a Scottish look. Good luck.

Baltimore · Joined: 08 Feb 2013 Posts: 371 Location: France

I think you are probably spot on.

My instincts are an industrial urban location, and I am leaning towards the South East as that’s where I bought it.Remember my vendor thought it was Fulham!

I live in hope someone will recognise the Chimneys!

Thanks for the help, we’ll crack it I’m sure!

SeasideMark · Joined: 24 Oct 2014 Posts: 612

A long, long shot but could it be earlier than 1950s and possibly the Clock Stand at Ilford FC's old Lynn Road ground? Probably not but grounds were redeveloped and modernised after the war and the structures bear a slight resemblance? Also a lot of demolition and building work took place so the landscape may have changed dramatically between your photo being taken and this one in 1974.
Just a thought...
Diolch yn fawr
Mark Thumbs Up

Tynie Topics · Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Posts: 3509

Do you know for sure that its UK and not elsewhere?

I don't think it's a Scottish ground.
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Baltimore · Joined: 08 Feb 2013 Posts: 371 Location: France

Oh....that’s an interesting thought.

On close inspection....it’s close but not. Unless a newer stand and chimneys removed etc.

I like your thinking however.

The reverse of the postcards are printed in English which would suggest UK.

Let’s not give up guys/ gals.

Ian

Tynie Topics · Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Posts: 3509

It looks like a concrete water tower in the background, maybe that's an avenue to explore?

Not sure if there's a water tower enthusiasts forum!
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Rocky · Joined: 15 Jun 2009 Posts: 1531

Tynie Topics wrote:

It looks like a concrete water tower in the background, maybe that's an avenue to explore?

Not sure if there's a water tower enthusiasts forum!

Yep, although not a water tower enthusiast I've been trawling through some sites too see if I could identify a location. Nearest I got was Cern in France which is a similar design. Of course that tower in the original pic could be long gone.

I've being through breweries and power stations sites as well! The things we do to try and solve a query.
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Flaming Pie · Joined: 26 Nov 2016 Posts: 931

How about Ellesmere Port Town FC post war? They could have had a water tower nearby. Was the Bowaters Paper Mill ,Ellesmere Port near their old ground? I think they changed their ground in the late 1950's . They appeared to have played near an industrial complex throughout the years,, mind you, so did lots of teams!

Westbourne · Joined: 17 Oct 2017 Posts: 91

Burton Town played in those colours and the ground looks like Peel Croft which is near to one the brewery's in Burton.

Baltimore · Joined: 08 Feb 2013 Posts: 371 Location: France

Thanks Tynie, Rocky, Flaming Pie, & Westbourne for your sensible suggestions thoughts this afternoon.

It has set me some more homework ( enjoyable however!)

Keep em coming !

Ian

Baltimore · Joined: 08 Feb 2013 Posts: 371 Location: France

Well, well, we may be getting warmer?

Thank you Westbourne, I have found a photo on the Burton Albion website , which looks like part of the building on the left of my postcards.

Does anyone else have any images of the Burton Ground in the early 1950s?

Cheers!

Baltimore · Joined: 08 Feb 2013 Posts: 371 Location: France

Well can anyone corroborate this as being Burton Albion?

Any thoughts are welcome.

Ian

atletico · Joined: 20 Nov 2008 Posts: 672 Location: Nottingham

I've looked on old maps of Burton.
Although Burton had a tower ( no idea what it looked like) it was a long way from the Football grounds.
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GreatBarrWolf · Joined: 08 Jul 2011 Posts: 830

Peel Croft in Burton has been a rugby ground since the 1920's. The ground is currently relatively close to the town centre.

If you are referring to Burton and the 1950's it would be Eton Park which was situated a little further out of the town centre, however, I don't think there were any 'large industrial style' buildings around it. Also I have looked at pictures of that ground and cannot see a stand with the gable in the middle.

But I may be wrong!!!

Also looking at the teams the socks and shorts are not consistent throughout the team. I would suggest that it could be two scratch teams or amateurs.
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