England cap of Blackburn Rovers' legend up for sale (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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England cap of Blackburn Rovers' legend up for sale
7:00pm Sunday 10th February 2013 in News
A 1907 England cap won by the man regarded by some as the greatest of all Blackburn Rovers’ players, Bob Crompton, is now set to fetch between £800 and £1,000 at an auction.
The purple velvet cap, embroidered with an England badge and the 1907 date, was presented to Mr Crompton for his appearances in the matches against Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Now more than a century later the precious Edwardian cap is up for sale at Bonhams (correct,no apostrophe) in Chester on February 20.
Crompton was born in Blackburn on September 26, 1879 and grew up in Harwood Street with his parents and three brothers.
In his book, Blackburn Rovers: A Complete Record,1875-1990, club historian Mike Jackman said: “Quite simply he was the greatest ‘Rover’ of them all.”
Altogether right back Crompton made 529 Football League appearances for Rovers between 1896-1897 and 1919-1920, a feat bettered only by Ronnie Clayton and Derek Fazackerley.
He helped the club win two Football League titles and later, as Rovers’ manager, he also masterminded Rovers’ 1928 FA Cup final triumph.
In his book, Mr Jackman said: “Victory in the 1928 FA Cup final was a welcome if unexpected boost and provided Crompton with the trophy that had eluded him as a player. The league position also improved with Rovers finishing twelfth,seventh and sixth during the first three years of his reign.
“Already a legend with the people of the town, Crompton’s success as a manager merely underlined his Midas touch. In management, as in playing,Crompton remained very much his own man.
He left Rovers in 1931 and did a spell as Bournemouth manager but later returned to Blackburn and was re-appointed Rovers’ manager in May 1938.
On March 15,1941, after watching Rovers beat Burnley 3-2 at Ewood Park, he collapsed and died, aged 61.
Comments(12)
plymouthrover
says...
8:33pm Sun 10 Feb 13
mavrick
says...
8:38pm Sun 10 Feb 13
kenbro
says...
8:41pm Sun 10 Feb 13
kenbro
says...
8:42pm Sun 10 Feb 13
French Rover
says...
9:08pm Sun 10 Feb 13
And why is there no Bob Crompton stand at Ewood or his statue or even a plaque or something ? Now there is a campaign just waiting to be started.....anyone up for it? Madame Desai maybe?
shep1875
says...
9:48pm Sun 10 Feb 13
Some display with information about Bob Crompton with the England cap is the very least he deserves.
ToffeeGuy
says...
10:19pm Sun 10 Feb 13
happycyclist
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9:47am Mon 11 Feb 13
Blimey, the LT bothering to spell and punctuate an article properly.
speedie_rovers_legend
says...
3:20pm Mon 11 Feb 13
the usher
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4:43pm Mon 11 Feb 13
BlackburnEyes
says...
7:50am Tue 12 Feb 13
speedie_rovers_legenthis story does not even have a journalist's name attributed to it...which would lead me to believe that t was written by a day release flunky or passed around the LET offices add a line and pass ir on! shame on you atleast report Bob Cromptons achievements properly especially given the fact he was England Captain when he won the caps....
d wrote:
Blackburn rovers football club do already hold a certain amount of caps from bob's playing days with England , the reporting on this is typical of the reporters at the let , no background to the story , i was actually present in the old compton suite which was situated in the nuttal street stand around 1989, on this paticular day realtives of bob came and gave the club caps of when he played for England , they were presented to then chairman William fox , who then gave a speech thanking them for taking the time to travel to Blackburn and give these caps to the club , which are still there to this day, he won 41caps for England , 22 as Captain of England which is not even in this report, yes CAPTAIN OF ENGLAND!!!!!!!
Must do better ....D see me after class
billingtonrover says...
7:57pm Sun 10 Feb 13