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The History of the Commonwealth Games

30th July 2026

It’s surprising to learn that John Astley Cooper first proposed what has become the Commonwealth Games in 1891: 5 years before the Modern Olympics. The plan was to hold a sports competition every four years “as a means of increasing goodwill and understanding of the British Empire”. Committees were set up throughout the Empire to […]

England Football Team at the FIFA World Cup

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Jim Thorpe: was he the Greatest Athlete in the World?

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Was Jim Thorpe the greatest athlete in the world? King Gustav V of Sweden certainly thought so. He described Thorpe thus as he handed him two gold medals at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. Jim Thorpe was a legendary Native American sportsman, who lived from 1888 – 1953.  He was a Sac and Fox Native American, […]

Football » Football Postcards » General Football » WILFRED NEVILL 1916 FOOTBALL POSTCARD - BALL KICKED INTO GERMAN TRENCHES

WILFRED NEVILL 1916 FOOTBALL POSTCARD - BALL KICKED INTO GERMAN TRENCHES

WILFRED NEVILL 1916 FOOTBALL POSTCARD - BALL KICKED INTO GERMAN TRENCHES

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Original postcard showing one of the footballs that Captain Wilfred Nevill used to encourage his men in attacking the German lines on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Nevill had purchased the balls in England while on leave in the belief that a football was a reassuringly familiar symbol and would help his men overcome their fears. They were kicked ahead of the advancing soldiers. Nevill himself died on that day (July 1st, 1916). It is believed that there were two balls used - one is now displayed at Dover Castle and the other one (the one pictured in this postcard) was seemingly lost in the fire at Clandon Park, Guildford, in 2015.

Postally unused. Light splash marks to front and one light vertical crease. A very rare and poignant postcard.

Date
1916

£100.00 (Code: 100451)

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