Photographs of local football teams from the past have been garnering interest on social media recently. This is one such picture that we can provide information on – thanks to research by regular Peeps contributor Pat Seale.

The photo shows members of Alton Federation FC from 1921 to 1922 with both a shield and a trophy.

Pat writes: “From the Hampshire Telegraph of 12th May 1922, we learn the two trophies are probably the Basingstoke Challenge Shield, Division 1, and the Harvey (Hospital) Challenge Cup. The team were also runners up for the Basingstoke Challenge Cup.

No complete list of players, but the captain was Alfred Collins, the 2nd XI captain was Frederick G Cate, and the goalkeeper was William G Pain. The President was Thomas S Mitchell, the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer was Arthur E Barney. 

No Alton organisation would be complete without a member of the Burrell family, and Harry P Burrell was elected Hon. Member. Arthur W Cox was most likely there too. He was a coal merchant, and it follows that he probably supplied the Gasworks (near All Saints Church), but he seemed to have the authority to arrange for the Club to use the Gasworks’ Meadow as their home pitch. He chaired the Annual Meeting, so clearly he had some clout.

Extrapolating from images found on Ancestry, the gent in the light-coloured suit might be Mr Burrell and the gent seated on his left might be Mr Mitchell.

In passing, it was noted that Arthur Barney was also a member of the Alton Volunteer Fire Brigade, and a Special Constable (for which he was awarded a long-service medal) and continued his connection with football as a referee and on the administration side for Aldershot and District.”

Peeps wonders if any descendants of this winning team are playing on the football fields of Alton or elsewhere today? Email us at [email protected]