RAF v The Portugal Army 1946

[Flaming Pie]

Here’s an interesting press photo that l picked up the other day for anyone into post-war forces Football. Look at the size of the crowd in the stadium , that’s looks to be built on the side of a hill. At first l thought it might have been Portugal v England, but it turns out to be The Portugal Army v The RAF 1946. You can pick out Bert Williams ( goalie) Neil Franklin and Stan Matthews..

[Merseman]

Estadio Nacional which held 1967 European Cup:






Sunday 17th February 1946
Portuguese Armed Forces 1-1 Royal Air Force
Fernando Peyroteo '28 / Leslie Smith '31
(80,000)

Programme exists:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1946-portuegese-portugal-army-raf-17-982756085


Worth adding on Thu 10th Oct 1957 to open Estadio Alvalade floodlighting British Army lost 3-1 v Portuguese Army despite fielding Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton, Bill Foulkes, Cliff Jones, Dave Mackay, Eddie Colman, plus more.

[Flaming Pie]

Merseman, at first l thought it might have been a photo of Stoke City( Matthews and Franklin in the team) , pre-war tour match in Germany. I thought the away team were making the Nazi salute. When l received the photo you could clearly see that Matthews and Franklin were a bit older and the away team were not making the Nazi salute. This confirms that my eyesight is really detiorating That 1950s team with Edwards , Charlton etc looks outstanding . I can only think that they were taking it easy. I remember reading that Duncan Edwards was picked to play so many games during his National Service period that it had an adverse impact on his health.

[Merseman]

Flaming Pie wrote:

I remember reading that Duncan Edwards was picked to play so many games during his National Service period that it had an adverse impact on his health.

In May 1955, Edwards was selected for the England squad which travelled to mainland Europe for matches against France, Portugal and Spain, starting all three matches.[32] Upon returning from the tour, he began a two-year stint in the British Army with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Army service was compulsory at the time for all men of his age under the National Service scheme, with the exception of students and those working in certain trades.[33] He was stationed at Nesscliffe near Shrewsbury along with teammate Bobby Charlton, 12 months his junior, but was allowed leave to play for United.[34] He also took part in army matches, and in one season played nearly 100 matches in total.[35]

[Driver8]

Here are some newspaper reports from Diario de Lisbao

http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=05778.042.10624#!6
http://casacomum.org/cc/visualizador?pasta=05778.042.10624#!7

[Flaming Pie]

Merseman, 100 games in one season . The poor lad must have been shattered! Driver8 , will check out those reports . Many thanks. On the forces football theme, here’s Jim Baxter, another great midfielder

[Merseman]

Remember those 100 games would have been during a shorter season, too... probably between mid August and early May?

He famously played for England U23, England B, and England in space of a few weeks during early months of 1956; also represented Football League twice in 1956-57!

He may not have actually played in them all, but I've got forces programmes listing him in line-ups from:

Thu 6 Oct 1955 Shrewsbury Town v Western Command
Wed 9 Nov 1955 England v British Army
Sat 28 Apr 1956 British Army v French Army (Kentish Cup)

Mon 8 Oct 1956 Crystal Palace v British Army
Wed 10 Oct 1956 British Army v Aston Villa
Wed 31 Oct 1956 Norwich City v British Army
Wed 7 Nov 1956 England v British Army
Wed 18 Dec 1956 Rangers v British Army
Wed 27 Mar 1957 British Army v Belgian Army (Kentish Cup)

[Flaming Pie]

From footage l have seen Duncan Edwards looked a superb footballer. Injuries permitting, he must have been a cert to have been in the England 1966 World Cup team. I remember chatting to someone on holiday about Duncan Edwards and an older guy was listening to the conversation . He chipped in that he had actually played against him. It turned out to have been in one of those Army fixtures. I wanted to know what it was like to play against him and made Edwards stand out? The lady he was with ,however, didn’t want him talking about football , so that was that