Dale Rovers 1922 - 23?

[maccalenny]

Hi both, many thanks for this. The obvious connection - Sneinton Dale - had not crossed my mind! I'm sure the pic can't have any of my direct family  - my g-grandad too old, my grandad too young - but I like the thought that it could be your grandad! I'm away over Easter, but will send it in to the Nottingham newspaper you mentioned when I return, to see what they make of it.

Cheers

Kate

[Red_Fred]

Hi Kate

I think I have identified the shield in the photo.

Having looked more closely at the players, the majority of them seem quite young.

I therefore looked at the winners of the Nottinghamshire FA Youth Shields.  A new youth football shield was awarded from season 1919-20 and called the Notts Junior Shield (played for by Under 16's).  Dale Rovers won the Shield in three successive seasons 1921-22, 1922-23 and 1923-4.

The Shield is still presented and I have asked a colleague who works at Notts FA to examine the shield for me to confirm the above.

Finally I have spoken to a couple of very old gentlemen who used to be local referees.  One of the can remember refereeing Dale Rovers up to the 1960's when the club played at the White City Greyhound Track on Daleside Road, Nottingham.  This was south of Sneinton and close to the River Trent.

The club no longer exists but you may get some more info. if the local paper prints the photo

KRs
Malc

[Red_Fred]

Hi Kate

I have looked at the Notts FA Junior Shield and it does bear the name of Dale Rovers on it.

Interestingly the Shield was donated to Notts FA by Moss Empires in 1903 and was originally named the Notts FA Empire Shield.

It has an engraved centre piece showing a football match in progress.

KRs
Malc