Autograph book from 1947-48

Joanne Walmsley kindly donated this autograph book to the Sky Blue Archive. Joanne’s grandad owned Boltons Coaches who used to transport the Coventry team to away matches in the 1940’s and 1950’s, her dad, Brian East, was sometimes allowed to travel with them and this was his autograph book.

From the look of the names in the book it would seem this was from the 1947-48 season. The book also has a page of Newcastle United signatures who were also in the 2nd Division at that time, including Jackie Milburn. Joanne was told they were all in the club after the match!

The City signature are; Les Latham, Harry Barratt, Peter Murphy, Stan Smith, Fred Gardner, Charlie Elliott, George Lowrie, Bobby Davidson, Ted Roberts, Eric Dobbs, Dennis Tooze, Ron Cox, Jack Snape, George Ashall, George Mason and Les Warner.

The Newcastle signatures are; Benny Craig, Frank Houghton, Frank Brennan, Joe Harvey, Bob Fraser, Eric Garbutt, Norman Dodgin, Ernie Taylor, Jack Milburn, Joe Sibley and Tommy Thompson.

They are some further signed pages in the book, possibly from Coventry Speedway riders, please get in touch if you can identify the signatures of anyone we have not listed or have any more information on Boltons Coaches.