Swansea Town v Birmingham- 7th January 1950

SWANS v BIRMINGHAM CITY

FA CUP 3^rd ROUND 7^th JANUARY 1950

After the ups and downs of the previous three seasons, the 1949 - 50 campaign proved to be one of relative consolidation. The promotion winning side of only twelve month's prior was gradually breaking up, and as a result the youngsters were given their chance. By the end of the season the team would finish in a highly respectable eighth position, but it was to be the introduction into the first eleven of one Ivor Allchurch that would change things for ever for the Swansea faithful. He made his league debut in a 3- 0 Boxing Day defeat at Upton Park, was rested for the following match, and then recalled to make his home debut against Birmingham City in a 3^rd round FA Cup tie.

Birmingham were a First division side and contained in their ranks the England goalkeeper of the time, Gil Merrick. The game turned out to be a comfortable 3 - 0 victory for the Swans, with goals for Burns, Scrine and debutant "Ivor", the first of nearly 200 goals for the fair haired genius. In a Swans career spanning two separate periods with the club, he would play 445 league games and score 164 goals. This tally included six hat tricks and one four goal haul, and Ivor finished as top scorer on five occasions, and runner up on three occasions. In addition, in season 1956-57 he scored in eight consecutive league matches. But for all his goal scoring exploits, he would best be remembered for his incredible grace and control whilst in possession of a football, allied to a powerful shot in either foot. Also his natural, and total modesty - something which today's pampered players would do well to reflect upon.

The Evening Post's respected Swans reporter, Rolande, rather understatedly wrote - "with a slight speeding up and a decision to limit individualism, Allchurch can make a big contribution to Swansea's progress."

The match programme measures the standard (for the time) 8.5 x 5.75 inches and is printed black on white with 8 pages, priced at 2d. The front cover has the Swansea Town heading, with the fixture details in the top half, while the bottom half has adverts for Morgan and Lott Furnishers and the weekly national Sporting Record newspaper. Where, you might ask, is the Down & Sons advert - strangely, they do not appear at all.

The programme follows the standard lay-out regarding club notes, team line-ups, tables and fixtures, and is packed with small ads, featuring well known Swansea names such as Tom Smith & Clarke, Trevor Lewis Signs, Griffith Davies, Banbury's,

Atkinson Sports, The Castle Café and J Cecil Jones.

Estimated value of a reasonable condition copy of this programme - £25

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