England cap of Blackburn Rovers' legend up for sale

7:00pm Sunday 10th February 2013 in Blackburn

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)

7:57pm Sun 10 Feb 13

billingtonrover says...

The cap should be bought by the club and put on display.It's not a great deal of money to invest in part of the club's history.
The cap should be bought by the club and put on display.It's not a great deal of money to invest in part of the club's history. billingtonrover

8:33pm Sun 10 Feb 13

plymouthrover says...

Agreed with Billingtonrover. Venky's you could do yourselves a huge favour here and show some respect to a Rovers Legend.
Agreed with Billingtonrover. Venky's you could do yourselves a huge favour here and show some respect to a Rovers Legend. plymouthrover

8:38pm Sun 10 Feb 13

mavrick says...

It would be a nice gesture for the club to make sure the cap returned to Ewood.
It would be a nice gesture for the club to make sure the cap returned to Ewood. mavrick

8:41pm Sun 10 Feb 13

kenbro says...

Surprising that it was not offered to the Rovers first. Obviously owned by a non Rovers supporter who just wants the most money for it. It may go for a lot more than they are suggesting.
Surprising that it was not offered to the Rovers first. Obviously owned by a non Rovers supporter who just wants the most money for it. It may go for a lot more than they are suggesting. kenbro

8:42pm Sun 10 Feb 13

kenbro says...

And, if Jack Walker was still with us you know who would buy it.
And, if Jack Walker was still with us you know who would buy it. kenbro

9:08pm Sun 10 Feb 13

French Rover says...

The man was a legend - even the way he left this world was the way most Rovers fans would want to go when there numbers up...

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?
The man was a legend - even the way he left this world was the way most Rovers fans would want to go when there numbers up... 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? French Rover

9:48pm Sun 10 Feb 13

shep1875 says...

Wow.. I cannot believe the club ate actually letting this go to auction.

Some display with information about Bob Crompton with the England cap is the very least he deserves.
Wow.. I cannot believe the club ate actually letting this go to auction. Some display with information about Bob Crompton with the England cap is the very least he deserves. shep1875

10:19pm Sun 10 Feb 13

ToffeeGuy says...

This would be a good investment as the chances of another Rovers player winning an England cap any time soon are remote.
This would be a good investment as the chances of another Rovers player winning an England cap any time soon are remote. ToffeeGuy

9:47am Mon 11 Feb 13

happycyclist says...

"...is up for sale at Bonhams (correct,no apostrophe)..."

Blimey, the LT bothering to spell and punctuate an article properly.
"...is up for sale at Bonhams (correct,no apostrophe)..." Blimey, the LT bothering to spell and punctuate an article properly. happycyclist

3:20pm Mon 11 Feb 13

speedie_rovers_legend says...

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!!!!!!!
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!!!!!!! speedie_rovers_legend

4:43pm Mon 11 Feb 13

the usher says...

I agree we ought to get this cap back in Blackburn, but what annoys me is the lack of honours given to Ronnie Clayton. A one-club man who served the club with honour and distiction; represented his country on many occasions and was even their captain, yet never a mention of an honour. If he had played for a "top" club he would certainly have received an honour.
I agree we ought to get this cap back in Blackburn, but what annoys me is the lack of honours given to Ronnie Clayton. A one-club man who served the club with honour and distiction; represented his country on many occasions and was even their captain, yet never a mention of an honour. If he had played for a "top" club he would certainly have received an honour. the usher

7:50am Tue 12 Feb 13

BlackburnEyes says...

speedie_rovers_legen
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!!!!!!!
this 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....

Must do better ....D see me after class
[quote][p][bold]speedie_rovers_legen d[/bold] 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!!!!!!![/p][/quote]this 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.... Must do better ....D see me after class BlackburnEyes

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