Middlesbrough Football Club history

[pjbuk007]

My late father - Arnold "Pop" BURTON - claimed to have been a junior and to have been on the pitch with Wilf Mannion.  He was offered to sign as a pro but his father said he must have a trade so he became an apprentice engineer.  And he did do very well!

I have actually seen a newspaper cutting about him playing for the Bros, but he culled all his old stuff before he died and before I got in to family history.

I did email the club a few years ago - someone replied to say that they would pass my query on to their historian, but I heard no more.

He was born in 1923, in Saltburn, so this would have been around the start of the War.  I do plan to visit Cleveland, but this may not be possible until next spring.

Any ideas about how to get info on this?

many thanks

[sillgen]

Try Cleveland Archives office which is in Middlesbrough.  They should have a lot about the Boro.  Equally I am sure there will be articles in the Middlesbrough Gazette archives.    They have an online site.  I am sorry my Dad is dead.  He and his sister were avid supporters - could have told you straight away!
Andrea

[behindthefrogs]

The best place to enquire is at the National Football Museum at Preston.  They have records of all football league players and for a small donation will usually supply you with a wealth of information often including photographs.

[pjbuk007]

My mother has just found a postcard dated 8 Dec 1943.

It is printed with "Middlesbrough Football & Athletic Co, Ltd" along with address, names of officials etc.

Signed by H Glasper (who is club secretary), it says "Dear Arnold, You are selected to play at Ayresome Park on Saturday 3 oc."

That refers to Sat 11 Dec 1943.  Was this the first team?

So maybe my Dad was NOT exaggerating.  Anyone here got any info about how to find out more?  Emails to the club have not got replies.  Anyone have access to newspapers for that period?

Any help VERY gratefully received, Thanks

Penelope Burton

[Kathc]

Hi Penelope

The Harry Glasper you mension, I think is the father of Harry Glasper Jr who went to school with my husband.

He lives in Maske,and has a lot to do with the Boro, the email address I have for him is glaspharry@aol.com try it he maybe able to help you.

Regards Kathc

[behindthefrogs]

I am very surprised that you have received nothing from the National Football Museum.  I would suggest that you try them again as other people that I know have contacted them received a full football history of their ancestor.

David

[pjbuk007]

Thank you both. 

I will try the football museum again.  We were unsure that my father had ever played for the first team.  But it looks as if he did, during the War. 

I will email Harry Glasp once I am on my home computer so that I can send him a scan of the postcard with his father's signature.

I did have communication from some people last year, one of whom searched all the Boro records to no avail.

However, the postcard is so exciting (and thrills my 15 year old son who wants to frame it!). 

[Kathc]

Thank you Sillgen.

I never thought, I will not do that again

Kathc

[pjbuk007]

But I did manage to catch it, Kathc, so thanks very much.  Await develpoments.