Mystery player

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

No details on back, has been removed from an album as has tell-tale black paper glued in bits on back.

He looks familiar - could be Stoke, Sunderland, Sheffield United, Southampton,, Lincoln City........

Any ideas please? I fear it's someone famous and I'm going to feel stupid...........



Thank you in anticipation.

[hydemaine]

Pete’s Picture Palace wrote:

No details on back, has been removed from an album as has tell-tale black paper glued in bits on back. He looks familiar - could be Stoke, Sunderland, Sheffield United, Southampton,, Lincoln City........ Any ideas please? I fear it's someone famous and I'm going to feel stupid........... Thank you in anticipation.

Could it be the guy to the left of the man in the white coat? Stoke City 1949. My eyesight can't make out his name but he looks similar to your bloke?

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Thanks for that, I can't tell at this range either I'm afraid. I've looked through my card collection (such as it is) and I have a few Stoke line-ups but I can't see this chap in there. I've also got a Wilkes photo of Stoke in 1952 and he's not in that.

[bisphamseasider]

Here's a slightly larger scan.

The player hydemaine mentions is Neil Franklin and I don't think it's him.

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Thanks Bishpam

This is Neil Franklin with trendy sticking plaster



Any other offers on the mystery man? All comments gratefully received.

Thank you.

[beaudog]

No luck with the mystery player but what a great photograph of Stoke City from 1949. I started to watch stoke City in the mid 1950s but the names of all the players I recognise. One in particular, on the back row, caught my eye. Cyril Watkin. he was a full back and lived in a terraced house n the next street to me. My dad would say there is Cyril Watkin, he plays for Stoke City and with reddish hair as he walked past he stood out. Neil Franklin was mentioned and his understudy for part of his time at Stoke City was Roy Beckett. He found it difficult getting into the team but he did make a handful of appearances and scored a goal at Goodison. As newsboys he used to delight in telling us what a great golfer he was but the thrill was going to see the reserves in the old Central league and Roy , who was a classy centre half, calling your name as he retrieved the ball from behind the goal. No ball boys at this time.

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Here's an original 1952/3 Stoke City team photo for Mr Beaudog to enjoy.



With that knowledge available about Stoke, I think we can assume that the mystery player ISN'T a Stoke player.

So that leaves all the other red & white striped teams, plus maybe a faded blue & white striped team........

Come on guys

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

I'm reliably informed that this player is.......

EDDY BROWN

Preston 1948-50
Southampton 50-51
Coventry 51-54
Birmingham 54-59
L Orient 59-61

399 games, 190 goals

Looks like taken in his Saints days.

Cheers!

[bisphamseasider]

I think Eddy Brown played for Birmingham against Barcelona in the old Fairs Cup and scored in the win at St Andrew's being the first Englishman to score against Barcelona.

I'll have to check this out later.

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Certainly an interesting character.

My Rothmans says this:- "One of the great "clowns" of the modern game, who caused havoc to opposing defences with roving tactics allied to energetic speed. Once nearly entered the church, but finally chose playing as centre forward for Preston just after the war. Moved to Southampton in part exchange for Charlie Wayman and then to Coventry before becoming the speediest man on the books at Birmingham. One of his many quirks was occasionally shaking hands with the corner flags after scoring, which he did often. Scored seven times in the Blues 1955/6 Cup run which culminated in losing to Manchester City at Wembley in the famous Bert Trautmann final. Joined Orient in 1959 still enjoying every moment."

Another character the like of which we don't see any more, unless you count (e.g.) Tim Cahill punching the corner flags.