Ellesmere Port football programme 1953

[holtie96]

Morning
I have purchased a 1953 Ellesmere Port v joe mercer xi footballp programme at York Road
I can't find any programmes from this era so can anyone confirm the scarcity of this Programme?
Also the mercer line up, is anyone able to identify the clubs these players played for?
It also comes with a signed letter so wonder whether this programme was ordered by post?
Thank you for any help or information

[Rocky]

As a quick starter, in Joe Mercers X1 I would imagine it would be Ralph Gubbins from Bolton, Tommy Astbury from Chester & Alf Ringstead from Sheff Utd. I'm sure other Forum members will be able to unearth the others or maybe some 'Googling'?

[Karb]

Frank Fidler of Bournemouth at centre forward

[manchesterunitedman1]

BERT WILLIAMS[WOLVES] IN GOAL?>

[holtie96]

Cheers gents.,

[bisphamseasider]

Left back - Dennis Joseph Evans

Arsenal player signed from Ellesmere Port.

He scored one of the most memorable own goals in history when playing against Blackpool in 1955.

Arsenal were 4-0 up and he heard a whistle from the crowd. Thinking the referee had blown for full time he lashed at the ball in triumph which flew past his own keeper.

Just think if the game had been more finely balanced.

[bisphamseasider]

Outside left - Gordon Brown.

Was playing for Scunthorpe at the time.

Was a schoolboy/youth player at Ellesmere Port.

[bisphamseasider]

I keep finding these players in the Players' Record book.

Inside right is probably Thomas Benjamin (Benny) Jones ex Chelsea.

He was at Accrington in '53 and was originally signed by Tranmere from Ellesmere Port.

[holtie96]

Great stuff cheers

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

No 2 - right back - probably Len Gibbons of Wolves

No 5 - centre half - probably Eric Lee of Chester

[Goonerak]

Left-half - Joe Mercer